Honestly, read alouds transform the classroom into a magical experience! Listening to a book allows students to travel to new lands, use their imagination, and gain valuable life insight. For instance, students can learn how to stick up to a bully or how to make new friends. There are so many options out there to ensure there is a book for everyone!
However, it can be disappointing after getting everyone situated, only to find out some students already listened to the book. Thankfully, these new May books will help ensure that doesn’t happen! These amazing new releases will be so exciting to bring to your classroom!
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the New Books: May 2023 on my Youtube channel.
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The Noise Inside Boys by Pete Oswald
Boys experience so many feelings each day. While they often have a lot of energy, they feel with their whole heart. So, they may try to act super tough with their friends, but they really are emotional. So, this book helps them unravel those confusing emotions.
It tells the true story of three brothers on the beach. However, the two older brothers tease the younger one to the point of overwhelming feelings surfacing. However, the younger brother just wants to push the feelings away and hide how he feels when his brothers are mean. Thankfully, this important book shows how to manage emotions. This includes naming them and understanding them. When selecting new May books, this is the perfect one to help students learn to cope with emotions appropriately!
Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance by Kat Zhang
While students may be familiar with this character, this book is brand new!
Amy Wu loves to move! So, when she learns about Chinese ribbon dancing, she wants to try it. Sadly, she’s worried about throwing the perfect ribbon dance party without the perfect ribbon. Thankfully, a very special story from Mom helps her out. Students will be so excited to see how the story ends!
Real To Me by Minh Le
When selecting new May books, this is the perfect way to teach about friendship and accepting change! It focuses on two best friends. However, one of them is imaginary, and she sadly disappears. Students will learn all about friendship, sadness when it’s lost, and the beauty in discovering new friends!
All Kinds of Special by Tammi Sauer
Unfortunately, some students do not feel at home when they are actually at home. So, this story focuses on a little girl’s journey in making her house a true home. She lived in apartments for many years, so she is feeling a little lost after moving into her first home. Between filling up the big space and connecting with her community, students will love to see the transformation. She even discovers a mango tree and how sharing brings good things to life.
Nothing’s Wrong by Jory John
Honestly, we can all connect with this story when looking for new May books!
Everyone will laugh as they listen to how a rabbit insists nothing is wrong. While Jeff notices that his friend Anders seems a little off, Anders does not want to admit it. However, Jeff knows Anders well and has an internal debate over how to help his friend.
Students will build instant connections when they think about a time they didn’t want to discuss what is wrong. Thankfully, this book reminds us that when things aren’t going right, we always have a friend to help!
Big by Vashti Harrison
This book shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and acceptance. It’s a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words, whether to hurt or to heal.
Becoming Charley by Kelly DiPucchio
While selecting new May books is important to do, there are so many great classics. Thankfully, this one combines the two. It is a modern-day take on the very hungry caterpillar and celebrates staying true to oneself.
Charley is learning how to become a butterfly. However, everyone around him has different ideas of what he should do to become the best butterfly he can be. Instead of focusing on this, Charley admires the beautiful things around him. This leads him to wonder if there is a right way. There will be so many great discussions with this book!
Sora’s Seashells by Helena Ku Rhee
When picking out new May books, selecting ones that help students deal with challenging situations is essentiall. Thankfully, this one absolutely does! It tells the story of Sora, who is starting kindergarten. However, her name is a little bit different than those of her peers. Sadly, they start to tease her about it, and she feels hurt by their harsh words. Fortunately, her family teaches her that Sora means seashells, and she combats these negative words with kindness.
She shares beautiful seashells with her classmates and is proud of who she is! This is an uplifting, intergenerational story about kindness and confidence.
Jack the Library Cat by Marietta Apollonio
This story focuses on a stray cat who loves story time. Sadly, animals are not allowed in the library. For some reason, the librarian does not like cats. Luckily, a new kid in town named Pascal sneaks him in. He even helps this stray cat get a name, a home, and a group of kids who want to read to him! This is an amazing story for anyone who likes cats and the library.
Thankfully, there are so many new May books! Students will love when it is time to enjoy a fantastic read-aloud while learning all about life!
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Save this Book List
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite back to school board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to these books when you are ready to read them aloud with your students.
