Welcome to another Back to School season. It is always a mix of excitement, busyness, and new beginnings for everyone. For speech-language pathologists, it is a great time to introduce new children’s literature during speech/language therapy sessions. There are books that are great for building community during group speech/language sessions, creating a positive environment to start the year, and of course addressing well needed speech/language goals. This year some students will be returning to school after being home for online or digital learning due to the COVID pandemic while others had a mix of online and in person services last year. Many are eager to be back at school while others may be a bit nervous. Nevertheless, these are my recommendations for some of the Best Back to School Books for Speech & Language Therapy. Some are new selections for 2021 while others are favorites that I have used successfully with countless children over the years.
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
This book is great to foster a positive environment in your speech/language sessions. It invites kids to know that they all have a safe place in your class or speech/language therapy room. It’s important for them to know that you care about them which is truly a foundation for their success and acquiring new speech/language skills. I love the diversity of children depicted by the illustrator as well.
Speech/Language Targets
Pragmatic Language
Why/How Questions
Conversation Starters
Topic Maintenance
Elmer by David McKee
This is one of my favorite children’s books. The author skillfully introduces us to the main character, Elmer, a multi-colored Elephant who is BOLD and definitely stands out from the other GRAY elephants. He is also cheering up the others and making them laugh. One day he starts thinking about how he is different than all the others. He leaves the herd and goes for a walk in the jungle. While there, he comes across something that will temporarily camouflage him to blend in with the other elephants. Do you think this is a great idea? What will he do?
Speech/Language Targets
WH Questions
Story Retell/Sequence of Events
Predictions
Problem/Solution
Cause/Effect
Going Back to School During Coronavirus by Rachel Saunders
This is a very practical and realistic fiction story that teaches children about what school may be like during a pandemic. It reminds them to wash their hands, use hand sanitizers, and wear a mask. It teaches them why it’s important to keep social distance at school when it’s possible. Children will learn that it’s possible to still have a good year while keeping safe at school.
Speech/Language Targets
Vocabulary
WH Questions
Critical Thinking
Pragmatic Language
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
This book is a definite favorite in speech/language therapy at the beginning of the school year. It is a colorful and fun book that introduces the letters of the alphabet. The capital and lower case letters climb up the coconut tree until it bends or sways to the right. Then many of them fall down and are helped by the capital or “parent” letters. I love this book because it provides an excellent opportunity for numerous extension activities for speech/language therapy and classroom teachers.
Speech/Language Targets
Naming Letters
Naming Colors
Phonological/Phonemic Awareness
Core Vocabulary- Up, Down, Go
A Friend Like You by Frank Murphy and Charnaie Gordon
This is a new 2021 book that is ideal to build a positive environment in speech/language therapy sessions. The theme of the book is all about teaching the value of being kind and friendly to others. Everyone needs a friend that they can talk to, laugh with, and share experiences with at school and in their communities. This book was an excellent collaboration to promote diversity, unity, and positive community. The illustrations are vivid and realistic.
Speech/Language Targets
Pragmatic Language
Why/How Questions
Conversation Starters
Topic Maintenance
Do Unto Otters A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller
In this book, the main characters are sea otters who teach kids what they OUGHT to do. We definitely know that children must be taught manners directly. This is truly missing for some children and they need direct instruction about appropriate social etiquette. Young children will learn about being respectful, considerate, and saying special words like please, thank you, and excuse me. Some children who are deemed BAD in school truly just need to be taught appropriate behavior and modeled this behavior by adults. After all, children are always watching so let’s make sure that we Do Unto Otters.
Speech/Language Targets
Social Skills
Why/How Questions
Conversation Starters
Topic Maintenance
Your Life Matters by Chris Singleton
This book is great for all children and especially reminds Black children that their lives have significance. They matter. When society and the outside world sometimes desires to count them out, it’s important for them to confidently know that they are important. As this book unfolds, we are introduced to characters who are notable individuals in Black history such as Jackie Robinson, Katherine Johnson, Maya Angelou, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington Carver, and others. Through their voices, Black children will affirm their identifies and build greater self esteem. Regardless of the demographics of your area, this is an excellent book to add to your speech/language therapy library to foster greater diversity appreciation.
Speech/Language Targets
Story Recall
Inferences
Reasoning
Predictions
Conversation Starters
Here are some other great books that I love for speech/language therapy and have recommended previously:
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish
The Name Jar by Yansook Joi
Pete the Cat Rocking in Your School Shoes by James Dean
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books by Lucille Colandro
Here are links to my 2020 recommendations for Back to School Books and 2019 recommendations too! Have a great school year to all the speech language pathologists providing excellent services in this setting. These books are great for therapists providing teletherapy and private practice speech/language therapy sessions as well. If you need speech/language activities for therapy sessions, I have several free and paid resources in my store on this website and in my TPT store.
All the best,
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Education Specialist
Diversity & Equity Advocate
