The Day You Begin This book is nothing like what I expected by
the cover. It's about kids who feel like
they don't fit in. One child is from a
different country. One is the only
African American student in her class.
They each feel different in different contexts. The way one of these characters reconciles
her feelings is so powerful. Keep the
tissues nearby! 
Cheetah Can't Lose This is a funny story about a pair of
practical jokers who are tired of their friend bragging all the time. Despite the jokes, the end is
heartwarming.
Llama Llama and the Bully
Goat There are many Llama Llama
books. I wrote about sharing in my post
on Empathy. This one is about a kid who
has a bad attitude during class as well as out at recess. The says mean things during learning time and
he kicks dirt at kids who ask if he wants to play outside. After reporting the problem, the "bully
goat" gets a consequence and treats his peers better.
Do Unto Otters This book is a little long and very
instructive. I recommend it for later in
the year for first graders when they're more likely to appreciate the humor in
it.
Come with Me You know those days you come to school
after a national tragedy, and you wonder, "Will one of the kids bring it
up today? How will I handle
it?" Although I don't usually start
a conversation about it with my first graders, if someone brings it up, this is
a great book to have on hand. It's got a
"keep calm and carry on" theme.
Look for the kindness and normalcy in your community. It can help you and your class feel centered
after a scary talk.
Me First Helen Lester I already wrote about this book in this
post on first grade issues, but it's another great one to teach character.
Today I'm a Monster The hero in this book woke up
grouchy. He proceeds to act out. It pairs well with the No David series that I
wrote about in my Back to School post (get those Venn Diagrams ready). Most kids will laugh at his antics, but some
will relate to the feelings he's having.
It reminds us that behavior is communication. Sometimes a grouchy child needs comfort and
encouragement.
The Boy Who Wouldn't Share The busy illustrations in this book keep
kids engaged as they learn that hoarding material things at the expense of
cultivating friendships is not the way to go.
I Walk with Vanessa This book has no words; it's all
pictures. I have used it as a think
aloud with my class. It's perfect for
those pre-readers who want to go back and retell themselves the story during
independent reading time. 
The Invisible Boy I can relate to the hero of this book so
strongly. He watches his peers play and
chat but doesn't know how to join in. He
loves to draw but it takes him time before he figures out how to use that
strength to make a friend. But once he
does, the invisibility fades away.
I'm New Here This book follows 3 children who each join a
classroom of English speaking students for the first time. They hear all new word sounds and see
completely different letters after learning to read and write in their first
language. Each child feels a little differently about
this. Each child attempts spoken or
written language in a different context.
Someone New This book was written after I'm New Here, and
written from the perspective of the newcomers' classmates. It addresses how they perceive a newcomer who
doesn't speak English. Most students
don't know what to do at first. Some
wish they could help them feel like they belong. It shows students that first attempts don't
always work and that can feel uncomfortable.
That's normal and it will pass.
Because eventually English learners start speaking and want to join in
so be ready to welcome them! 
Say Something This is not so much a story as an
affirmation. It reminds us that we all
have wisdom and we need to stand up for what we believe in. It's a great book to read before a Positive
Post Its challenge or a Valentine's
Random Acts of Kindness challenge. 
I am Human This book isn't a narrative, but it
explores the struggles and triumphs of the human experience in simple language
and illustrations. It's a nice reminder that we all make mistakes but we have the potential to learn and grow. 
Beekle This is a beautiful story about the land
of imaginary friends waiting for a friend to want them. But Beekle takes matters into his own hands
and finds his own friend. It's a great
story about asserting oneself and making friends by being one. And, on a literal level, it normalizes the
concept of having an imaginary friend when you're young.
If you love Amazon as much as I do, here's a tip I have for
you. Put ALL the books that interest you
in their own wish list called First Grade Books. If you use my affiliate links I will receive
a commission at no cost to you. Buy a
few that you feel like you will definitely want to read next month. Leave the rest and revisit it every few weeks
to watch for price cuts. Depending on
how badly you want a book, set a specific price goal in mind, and when a few
drop below your threshold make your purchases and make your book wishes come
true!
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