Welcome to the Mills Library! I am so excited to share stories and books with your children. Classes will come every other week for lessons, stories and, most importantly, to check out books. We have over 25,000 books in our library, so there is truly something for everyone. Parents can also check out books! Stop by the library, and I'll quickly get an account set up for you. Reading to your child is one of the most powerful ways to create a love of books and reading. Even a few minutes of reading together gives both you and your child a chance to slow down, connect with each other, and share an enjoyable activity.
Also, if you have some time to spare there are many ways to volunteer in the library. We're having a library volunteer orientation on Wednesday, Sept. 6th at 10:30 am in the library. If you can't make it to the orientation, but would like to volunteer, please contact me at sarah.rasmussen@austinisd.org. The library is a fun, low-stress place to volunteer. Plus, I'll always give you chocolate. 🙂
Here are a few recommended books to help alleviate anxiety and process feelings about the first weeks of school. Included are the publisher's book descriptions:
School's First Day of School by Adam Rex
It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.
First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John
It's almost the first day of school, and the animals are nervous. Sloth worries about getting there on time, snake can't seem to get his backpack fastened onto his body, and bunny is afraid she'll want to hop around instead of sitting still. When they all arrive at their classroom, though, they're in for a surprise: Somebody else is nervous too. It's their teacher, the armadillo! He has rolled in as a ball, and it takes him a while to relax and unfurl. But by the next day, the animals have all figured out how to help one another through their jitters. School isn't so scary after all.
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated. Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway
How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan
This humorous new book in the beloved HOW-TO series takes readers through a fun and busy school year. Written in tongue-in-cheek instructional style, a class of adorable students gives tips and tricks for getting a teacher ready—for the first day of school, and all the events and milestones that will follow (picture day, holiday concert, the 100th day of school, field day!). And along the way, children will see that getting their teacher ready is really getting themselves ready. Filled with charming role-reversal humor, this is a playful and heartwarming celebration of teachers and students. A fun read-a-loud to prepare for first day jitters, back-to-school readiness or end of year celebrations.
Sarah Rasmussen
