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14 picture books tell stories about going to school
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An illustration featured in "Sophie's Squash Go to School," which is written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. - photo by Deseret Connect
Theres a crop of new back-to-school books this year. Here are 14 picture books that teach about elements of starting a new school year, including learning new things, making friends and adjusting to change.

"OTTER GOES TO SCHOOL," by Sam Garton, Balzer + Bray, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

Sam Garton's "Otter Goes to School" takes readers into Otter's imaginary school. Otter knows her owner, Otter Keeper, is smart, and when she learns it's because he went to school, she decides to start her own school. She gathers Giraffe, Pig and Teddy to teach them math, singing and other topics. But when Teddy doesn't seem to excel at any of them, Otter doesn't know what to do to help her pupil learn his talent.

According to the book, Garton has been writing and illustrating the world of Otter and Otter Keeper since 2009 on the blog I am Otter: The Unheard Ramblings of a Modern Day Domestic Otter.

THE NIGHT BEFORE PRESCHOOL, by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer, Grosset & Dunlap, board book edition, $6.99 (ages 0-3)

This new board book edition of one book in Natasha Wings Night Before series is full of sweet rhymes and Amy Wummers whimsical illustrations. It follows Billy as he nervously enters his first day of preschool. Although at first Billy is worried about being lonely, a kind classmate helps him feel more comfortable and soon he has friends all around the classroom.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CLASS PICTURE DAY, by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer, Grosset & Dunlap, $4.99 (ages 3-5)

Another installment in Wings Night Before series, The Night Before Class Picture Day is a silly story about the work that goes into preparing for class picture day and the single recess that can unravel that work in just a few minutes.

BEARS BIG DAY, by Salina Yoon, Bloomsbury, $14.99 (ages 0-5)

Bear starts his day feeling like a "big bear" and is excited to go to school. But when it's time to color, eat a snack and take a nap, he's not so excited anymore. He misses Bunny and questions whether he's a big bear after all.

Bears Big Day is an installment in Salina Yoons Bear and Bunny series. The expressive, thick illustrations complement a story that teaches that growing up is a process. Just because Bear is going to school doesnt mean he has to give up everything he loves from his childhood, especially his beloved Bunny.

FRANK AND LUCKY GET SCHOOLED, by Lynne Rae Perkins, Greenwillow Books, $17.99 (ages 5 and up)

Lynne Rae Perkins clever, elaborately illustrated story follows Frank and his dog, Lucky, when Frank goes to school and Lucky goes to obedience school.

When Frank and Lucky are home and playing together, Perkins puts their exploits in terms of school subjects, from chemistry (How can Frank get the smell of skunk spray off Lucky?) to percentages (How much of the bed belongs to Frank and how much belongs to Lucky?). Frank and Lucky Get Schooled is a fun, informing story for older kids.

"A PERFECT MESS," by Steve Breen, Dial Books, $16.99 (ages 3-5, on sale Aug. 23)

Henry the rhino is constantly messy but on picture day, he does everything he can to stay clean. His efforts are successful but only at the expense of his classmates' cleanliness.

Author/illustrator Steve Breen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, and his illustrations bring the story to life. The book effectively portrays the theme of being happy in your own skin.

"TEACHERS ROCK!" by Todd Parr; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; $16.99 (ages 3-6)

"Teachers Rock!" by New York Times best-selling author Todd Parr reminds readers to be grateful for their teachers. It highlights the many things teachers teach beyond basic educational lessons, including creativity, kindness and friendship.

The illustrations follow Parr's usual style, which includes bright colors and a childlike quality. The book would make a great gift from a student to a teacher.

MILK GOES TO SCHOOL, by Terry Border, Philomel Books, $17.99 (ages 3-7)

Milk Goes to School is a story about a carton of strawberry milk who puts on her sparkly backpack and her best hair bow for the first day of school. Amazing photographic illustrations and clever food puns take readers through Milk's first day of school, showing how she learns to get along with the other food kids.

"RUBY ROSE: OFF TO SCHOOL SHE GOES," by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Harper, $15.99 (ages 4-8)

Ruby Rose loves to dance. She dances from the moment she wakes up, as she brushes her teeth and while she eats her breakfast. So Ruby is alarmed when her mom tells her she will need to sit still in school.

Ruby gives dancing through her day a try, leading her classmates in a line dance on the way to lunch, twirling during art class and promenading through the library. Along the way, her teachers repeatedly tell her she needs to try being still. It's an adjustment for Ruby, but she learns to find a balance as she continues through her school day.

SOPHIES SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf, Schwartz & Wade, $17.99 (ages 3-7)

Sophie doesnt plan on making friends at school; shes bringing her own two squash from her garden named Bonnie and Baxter. But as fall settles in and Bonnie and Baxter start to get old, Sophie gives human friendship a chance.

Anne Wilsdorf's hilarious watercolor and ink illustrations guide readers along and bring Sophie and her beloved squash to life.

"ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN," by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Laura Hughes, HarperCollins, $9.99 (ages 4-8)

Trish Rabe's "On the First Day of Kindergarten" is a spin on "The 12 Days of Christmas." Instead of partridges, gold rings and piping pipers, this book describes activities that take place in a kindergarten class such as field trips, bus rides and storytime.

The words of the book are simple and the topics relatable so children can quickly learn to sing the text to the tune of the Christmas carol. Hughes' illustrations have a rough, hand-drawn quality to them, which is fitting for a children's book.

"FIRST GRADE, HERE I COME!" by D.J. Steinberg, illustrated by Tracy Bishop, Grosset & Dunlap, $8.99 (ages 4-6)

Author D.J. Steinberg writes a collection of poems about first-grade experiences, from moving into the big-kid hall on the first day all the way through celebrating summer on the last day of school. Tracy Bishop's art brings a joyful feeling to the book.

SCHOOLS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson, Roaring Brook Press, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

The first day of school can make kids nervous, but how does the school feel? This clever book explores a different side of the school experience by looking at things from a newly built schools point of view. Engaging illustrations show the school as it fills with children, whom the school quickly learns to love.

"LOLA KNOWS A LOT," by Jenna McCarthy, illustrated by Sara Palacios, Balzer + Bray, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

Lola knows a lot of things: She knows how to tie her shoes, count to 10 in Spanish, use the remote and annoy her sister. Despite all the things she knows, Lola is unsure whether she's ready to go to school.

Sara Palacios illustrations bring Lola's world to life and are a combination of watercolor, colored pencils, cut paper and digital media, according to the book.
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How to avoid 'sharenting' and other paparazzi parenting habits
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A recent study revealed parents often spend up to two hours staging a single photo of his or her child to post online. - photo by Amy Iverson
Before having kids, some people just dont appreciate their friends baby posts. But after having a child of their own, three fourths of new parents jump right on the parental social media bandwagon. If you have become a member of this group, there are some rules to follow for posting responsibly.

Much of a parents worry is how to teach their children to use social media responsibly. We talk with our kids about privacy, oversharing, and setting restrictions on their devices to keep them safe. But parents themselves need to look in the digital mirror once in a while. Before having children, it doesnt take as much effort to think about what to post online. Its up to us to decide what we share about our own lives. But once you become a parent, there are many questions to think about regarding what is appropriate to post about your kids on social media.

In a recent survey, kids clothing subscription company Mac and Mia surveyed 2000 new parents to find out how they are documenting their kids lives on social media, and what concerns they may have.

First of all, people without children seem to feel a bit differently about the onslaught of baby pictures online than those who are parents. 18 percent of people say before they had kids, they were annoyed by their friends baby posts. But after having children of their own, 73 percent admit they post progress pictures of their little ones every single month.

Not only are new parents letting the world know each time their baby is a month older, but they are posting about their kids every few days or so. Men and women report they post 6-7 times per month about their baby.

And while 70 percent of new parents say the benefit of using social media is how easy it is to help family and friends feel involved, there are some downsides. Here are a few tips to avoid the pitfall of becoming paparazzi parents.

Dont miss the moment

In the Mac and Mia survey, some parents admitted to spending up to two hours to get the perfect shot of their baby. That seems a little extreme. New and old parents alike should be careful about spending so much time taking pictures and videos that they dont enjoy the moment. Years ago, I decided to never live an experience through my phone. A study by Linda Henkel, a psychology professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, found that when people took pictures of objects in an art museum, they didnt remember the objects as well as if they simply observed them.

This photo-taking impairment effect can happen to parents as well. If we are so consumed by getting the perfect photo, we can miss out on the moment all together, and our memory of it will suffer.

Dont forget about privacy

60 percent of couples say they have discussed rules and boundaries for posting their babys photos, according to the Mac and Mia survey. Even so, men are 34 percent more likely to publish baby posts on public accounts. If parents are concerned about their childrens privacy, keeping photos off of public accounts is a given.

In the Washington Post, Stacey Steinberg, a legal skills professor at the University of Florida, and Bahareh Keith, a Portland pediatrician, wrote that sharing too much information about kids online puts them at risk. They write that all that sharenting can make it easier for data thieves to target out kids for identity theft. Check that your privacy settings are where they should be and never share identifying information like full names and birth dates.

Dont be paparazzi parents

36 percent of parents say they take issue when their childs photo is posted online by someone else. Responsible social media users will always ask permission before posting a photo of another child. But parents should also think about whether their own children will take issue with their own posted photos a few years down the road.

When parents are constantly snapping pictures and throwing them on social media, it can be easy to forget to pause and make sure the post is appropriate. I always use the billboard example with my kids. I ask them to picture whatever they are posting going up on a billboard in our neighborhood. If they are okay with that, then their post is probably fine. Parents should ask themselves this same question when posting about their children. But they should also ask themselves if their child would be OK with this post on a billboard in 15 years. If it would cause embarrassment or humiliation, it might be best to keep it private.

Once children reach an appropriate age, parents should include them in the process of deciding what pictures are OK to post. Researchers at the University of Michigan surveyed 10- to 17-year-olds and found children believe their parents should ask permission more than parents think they should. The kids in the survey said sharing happy family moments, or accomplishments in sports, school and hobbies is fine. But when the post is negative (like when a child is disciplined) or embarrassing (think naked baby pictures or messy hair), kids say to keep it off social media.
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