Let’s End the Year With Joy
May is a month that calls for celebration. Testing is done, summer is near, and your classroom has grown into a true learning family. In my fifth-grade class, I intentionally choose picture books in May that are lighthearted, meaningful, and, most importantly—fun! These books offer those magical Confetti Moments that spark joy and connection as we head into summer.
Here’s how I broke down our joyful reading journey, week by week.
Week 1: Kicking Off May With Laughter and Love
We started strong with books that brought humor and heart to our classroom.
- Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds had my students laughing out loud at the barnyard antics. It’s always a hit.
- Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller reminded us all that being yourself is a superpower.
- A Place for Pluto by Stef Wade helped us open up about what it means to belong—even if you don’t feel like you “fit.”
- How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan was our way of winking at the year that’s almost over—so many laughs!
- Five Minutes’ Peace by Jill Murphy gave us all a collective “we feel you” moment. That mom just wanted a quiet bath!
This first week set the tone: a mix of lighthearted fun and deeper conversation, all through the lens of picture books.
Week 2: Big Dreams, Big Laughs, Big Lessons
By week two, we were ready for more giggles and a few unexpected gems.
- It’s a Big World, Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi inspired students to be brave and chase their dreams—even if it’s scary.
- Jack and the Giant Barbecue by Eric A. Kimmel brought Texas-sized laughs and some good ol’ fractured fairy tale fun.
- The Teeny Weeny Unicorn by Shawn Harris was adorable and hilarious with its tiny but mighty message.
- Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung never fails to lead to powerful discussions about inclusion and acceptance.
- We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish by Ryan T. Higgins was the silly chaos we all needed mid-May. Our class goldfish jokes may never end.
This week’s books invited boldness and silliness—perfect for breaking up the countdown to summer with genuine laughter.
Week 3: Nostalgia, Imagination, and Global Empathy
During the third week of May, we mixed in nostalgia, creativity, and global awareness.
- Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry G. Allard Jr. is a timeless favorite. My dramatic reading always gets cheers (and gasps).
- 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy brought a quiet moment of reflection. It’s moving and opened a beautiful conversation about kindness beyond borders.
- It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton inspired creativity galore—students even made “dream packages” after reading.
- Samson: The Piranha Who Went to Dinner by Tadgh Bentley had everyone rooting for a polite piranha with big dreams.
- These Are My Rocks: A Story About Collecting by Bethan Woollvin gave us a sweet metaphor for treasuring what matters most.
This week reminded us that books can make us feel everything—from belly laughs to deep emotion—in just a few pages.
Week 4: Strong Finishes and Fresh Starts
We ended May with stories that celebrated creativity, resilience, and the magic of being yourself.
- https://amzn.to/45itm5bLevi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea by Tony Johnston gave us a comical and clever take on historical invention.
- Princess Pigtoria and the Pea by Pamela Duncan Edwards was full of alliteration and sass—students LOVED it.
- Chester’s Way by Kevin Henkes reminded us that friendships evolve—and that’s a good thing.
- Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival helped students reflect on big emotions and how to handle them with care.
- When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B. Deenihan closed us out with a perfect metaphor for making the best of what life hands you. Plus, we all shared lemon treat recipes—yum!
This final week was a beautiful send-off into summer: thoughtful, silly, and full of meaning.
Picture Books Close the Year with Connection
Each of these stories gave my students a reason to laugh, reflect, and connect. In a month often filled with countdowns and chaos, these books helped us savor our time together. Need some other ideas? Check out these books from April or the June National Days!
Whether you teach kindergarten or fifth grade, I hope these end-of-year picture books help you wrap up your year with heart, humor, and a whole lot of magic. Open the magic—right to the last day.
