Dear Teacher, I Wish You Knew...

It’s vital for teachers to get to know their students, not just academically, but socially and personally as well. The classroom should feel like a safe space for children to feel welcome to share what *they need to say.*

This curated collection is a reminder that we never truly know what is happening in others’ lives. When a student acts out or something seems off, there may be a whole history and story behind why.

When educators create a supportive learning environment and take the time to listen to students, these are some of the things we may hear them say:

Find the Full List on Amazon | Bookshop, or click on the individual titles linked below:

The Boy with Big, Big Energy by Britney Winn Lee | A lively boy with boundless energy struggles to sit still, stay quiet, and manage his constant need to move. With support from his patient dad, he discovers healthy ways to channel his energy through sports and calming techniques. Along the way, he learns that his big energy is not a flaw. It can be a strength that helps him be active, enthusiastic, and there for others when they need him.

THAO by Thao Lam | Thao struggles when classmates mispronounce or tease her about her Vietnamese name and identity. She even considers changing her name to fit in. But when she finds her favorite Vietnamese food in her lunchbox, she is reminded to embrace who she is.

Binna’s Dalgona by Sojung Kim-McCarthy | Binna is confident in many areas but struggles to find the English words to share stories about her life in Korea with her classmates. With encouragement from her sister and classmates, she gains confidence and finds a way to express herself and celebrate her Korean culture.

I Wish You Knew by Jackie Azua Kramer | Estrella misses her father after he is forced to leave the country, and she struggles with the impact of their separation at home and school. At a supportive school community, she discovers that many children carry their own hardships, and that no one has to face them alone.

So Loud by Sahar Golshan | Rudy loves talking, singing, jumping, and shouting, but adults often tell her she is too loud. When her grandmother visits from Iran, Rudy tries to quiet herself down, only to realize that being loud is an important part of who she is.

Xavier’s Voice by Ashley Franklin | Xavier struggles with a quiet voice and anxiety that make it difficult to connect with classmates and make friends. As he retreats into his sketchbook, he wonders if he can find a way to connect with others while staying true to himself.

Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia by Jenny Liao | Zia is excited to share her mother’s work as a seamstress at Career Day, but Mama can’t take time off and isn’t fluent in English. Proud to help, Zia translates for her and helps her classmates appreciate Mama’s talent, hard work, and beautiful creations.

Flap My Hands by Steve Asbell | Four neurodivergent children use different stimming movements to manage stress and regulate their emotions. Through playful movements like hand-flapping, finger fluttering, and kicking, they find calm, joy, and a sense of control.

Home by Tonya Lippert | Claire and Wes experience housing instability as their family moves from a familiar home to temporary places like a motel and shelter. The story explores how family connection can provide comfort during difficult transitions.

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott | AuthorHudson Talbott shares his experience as a slow reader who struggled with long sentences and felt different from his peers. By he realized that everyone learns differently, and eventually embraced his own pace of reading and love of drawing and storytelling,

The Yellow Postcard by Savannah Allen | Taylor loves Yellow Postcard Day, when her neighborhood gathers to collect food from community boxes. When she sees how long the line is she worries whether there will be enough for everyone. Join Taylor as she discovers the joy of sharing food, family, and community.

Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow | Muhammad receives a special prayer rug for his seventh birthday and is excited to begin praying five times a day. When one prayer falls during school, he worries about being judged or teased. But with his teacher’s support, he finds a safe place to pray.

Yenebi’s Drive to School by Sendy Santamaria | Yenebi wakes before dawn for a two-hour drive from Mexico to the U.S. border so she and her sister can get to school. Based on the author’s childhood, this bright story offers a glimpse into a unique daily routine filled with family, tamale vendors, border crossings, and the familiar journey to school.

Tough Like Mum by Lana Button | Kim and her mother pride themselves on being tough, but as they face family hardship, Kim learns that strength can also mean being vulnerable and asking for help.

We Belong to the Drum by Sandra Lamouche | Nikosis struggles to feel comfortable at daycare until the familiar sounds of the drum help him find connection and belonging. Inspired by a true story, this uplifting book celebrates Indigenous culture, family, powwow traditions, and the importance of culturally safe and inclusive spaces for children.

This shirt from the MaiStoryBook x Kind Cotton collection felt especially relevant to this collection. Wear this shirt as a message and reminder to your students that *All Stories Are Welcome.* You want to hear what they have to say, and your classroom is a safe place for them to share their story.

I hope this book list is useful! Please consider subscribing for more bookish content.

Here’s to raising our young readers and future leaders~

Happy Reading,

Maya

*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!