Get smart with these 6 great new back-to-school picture books

Jocelyn McClurg | USA TODAY

Attention, class! School’s back in session, and children’s authors and illustrators have been busy sharpening their colored pencils to show kids that learning can be fun. USA TODAY’s Jocelyn McClurg offers a report card on six new back-to-school picture books that deserve an “A.”

1. The Teacher’s Pet by Anica Mrose Rissi; illustrated by Zachariah Ohora (Disney-Hyperion, ages 3-5)

What it’s about: This cleverly titled tale isn’t about the perky brown-noser in the front row; it’s the story of a tadpole (part of a science project) who grows into a very, very large problem (as in hippo-size).

What kids will like: Bow-tied Mr. Stricter becomes so attached to big Bruno that he can’t see the elephant, er, hippo, in the classroom, so it’s up to his sensible students to find him a more suitable teacher’s pet.

What parents will like: A guaranteed chuckle for any grown-up who’s ever had to take care of the class “pet” for the weekend.

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2. Seven Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the Cafeteria by John Grandits; illustrated by Michael Allen Austin (Clarion, ages 6-9)

What it’s about: Kyle usually brings his lunch, but today he’s navigating the lunch line, which means dealing with the lunch lady and a hungry, angry school bully, not to mention trying to hang on to his tray.

What kids will like: School lunches are bad enough, but Kyle’s tendency to see everyone as a bug (he’s been reading a book on insects) turns lunch hour into a wacky sci-fi adventure.

What parents will like: Anyone who’s ever pushed a tray will get a kick out of Kyle’s cafeteria survival skills.

3. My Good Morning! by Kim Crockett-Corson; illustrated by Jelena Brezovec (Clavis, ages 3 and up)

What it’s about: A toddler (and her stuffed piglet) get ready for preschool, and it’s a production and half!

What kids will like: The happy little girl in My Good Morning! is quite the independent spirit.

What parents will like: Tired moms and dads will smile at this charming depiction of trying to get a 3-year-old out the door. And this tale, which features a tiny biracial heroine, is also a lesson in diversity.

4. What the Dinosaurs Did at School by Refe and Susan Tuma (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, ages 4-8)

What it’s about: Plastic toy dinosaurs have climbed into somebody’s backpack, and now they’re loose in school!

What kids will like: What dinosaur-obsessed kid wouldn’t want to pack up his collection and see his toys wreak havoc in the school cafeteria, science lab and janitor’s closet?

What parents will like: The Tumas’ neon photographs of toy dinos draped in spaghetti, bouncing on soccer balls and devouring library books are mini-masterpieces of creativity.

5. I’m Smart! by Kate and Jim McMullan (Balzer & Bray, ages 4-8)

What it’s about: A friendly school bus comes to life (complete with eyes and a grin for a bumper) to explain why it takes brains to follow a route and get kids to school safely.

What kids will like: This brightly illustrated title will appeal to little ones who watch big brother or sister board the bus each morning, or the youngster who worships anything with a motor.

What parents will like: A sweet, unobtrusive way of reminding kids that school-bus drivers are people, too.

6. Second Grade Holdout by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Matthew Cordell (Clarion, ages 4-7)

What it’s about: This sequel to First Grade Dropout finds our would-be second grader with umpteen reasons why he’d be happy to stay put. (“It’ll be fun to read those easy little first grade books again!”)

What kids will like: It’s tough when your best friend from first grade isn’t in your second-grade class, but things have a way of working out.

What parents will like: A new year and a new teacher can be hard, but this peppy story is reassuring.