There’s a lot of talk about reading a book a day during the school year, the importance of reading aloud to students and the need to teach and show kids empathy and kindness in today’s world. This is a wonderful list of titles that you can share at any time of year, but would make a great way to start the school year – expecting kindness from every student in the classroom and using picture books to show that expectation. You’re Finally Here! by Mélanie Watt One by Kathryn Otoshi I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Ish by Peter H. Reynolds School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall Be A Friend by Salina Yoon I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow Zen Ties by Jon Muth Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose and Hannah Hoose, illustrated by Debbie Tilley A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Zachariah Ohora Rude Cakes by Rowboat Watkins It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber, illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio