As our school year draws to a close, there may be staff members who are moving to other schools, retiring or going on leave. Gifting your colleague with a special book is a meaningful way to say “Thank you” and “You have made a difference”. Here are my top 10 books to give as good-bye gifts to teachers. (Thank you Amber Romero for this great Top Ten Tuesday idea!)
- A Letter To My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson
A heartfelt picture book about a girl who prefers running and jumping to listening and learning—and the teacher who gently inspires her. Written as a thank-you note with gorgeous illustrations. This one is inspiring and may require a Kleenex.
2, Thank You – A Book for Teachers – Sandy Gingras
This is a charming little keepsake book features soft, sweet watercolor artwork and thoughtful original text celebrating teachers and all they. Please note this book is very small – like something that would fit into a purse – very sweet, but tiny.
3. Last Day Blues – Julie Danneburg
A very sweet story that follows a group of students on their last day of school. The kids are so worried that their teacher will have nothing to do during the summer (LOL!) so they make her a very cute present to help her remember them. Love the surprise at the end! (Similar to First Day Jitters)
4. Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden – Edith Pattou
A metaphor for teaching – tending a garden – planting, nurturing, growing. Simple, moving story and whimsical illustrations celebrate all that teachers do, year after year, to help children grow and blossom. A great teacher gift.
5. Because I Had a Teacher – Kobi Yamada
“Because I had a teacher, I have whole new worlds to explore.
I discovered that what I can imagine, I can make real.
And now I feel like I can do anything.
Because I had you, I learned to believe in me.”
This heartwarming book is a thank you gift for great teachers everywhere. Adorable illustrations.
6. Teachers Rock! – Todd Parr
You can never go wrong with Todd Parr! Summary: Teachers are amazing! They help you find new talents, learn new things, and watch you succeed. A wonderful ode to teachers.
7. The New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons – Edited by Robert Mankoff
For those teachers for whom a picture book is maybe not the best fit – here is a hilarious collection of cartoons that capture the fun, terror, excitement, anxiety, bedlam and joy that teachers experience every day. Hilarious!
8. F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers – Richard Beasoa
This book is hilarious! Full of apparently real-life wrong answers to various test questions. Perfect for anyone who has ever taught high school or middle school who will make many “connections” to these creative wrong answers to test questions.
9. What Teachers Make – In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World – Taylor Mali
At a dinner party, teacher Taylor Mali was asked by a dinner guest, who happened to be a lawyer, what teachers make. Tired of being asked this question, he wrote a poem which he later performed at a poetry slam. The poem got such attention, he turned it into a book. Heartfelt and filled with inspiration, this is a perfect gift for every teacher. I did not know about this book but was inspired by Taylor Mali’s reciting the poem on YouTube.
10. Thank You, Mr. Falkner – Patricia Polacco
No list of inspiring books for teachers would be complete without this one. A beautiful, touching story of a girl struggling to learn to read and the amazing teacher who “unlocked the door and pulled [her] into the light.” Kleenex definitely required for this one – I cry every time I read it. This special book is for that special teacher who just finds a way.
Teachers: There is No Such Thing as Hot Coffee and Other Teacher Truths -Bored Teachers
This book has not yet been released (July) but I’m including it as a “one to watch for”. I enjoy following Bored Teachers on Facebook so am looking forward to this one as I’m sure it will be very funny. Here’s the summary:
Is it Friday yet? Get ready to go behind the desk with this insiders look at a year in the life of an everyday educator. Written for teachers by teachers, this hilarious snapshot into the lives of the overworked and underpaid will have you laughing so loud, you’ll worry it might get confiscated. Full of administrative frustration, madcap humor; and heartfelt love for the most underappreciated profession of them all, Teachers is the perfect gift for that special someone who spends all day with your kids.
What are your favorite teacher gift books?