6 Picture Books to Ease the Anxiety of Having a Substitute

If the first few weeks of school are dedicated to introducing and practicing daily routines and procedures, then it is equally essential to prepare students for inevitable breaks in routine—such as when a teacher is absent.

A teacher’s absence during the year is not an “if” but a “when” scenario, and to truly begin the year with a wellness mindset, each member of the school community needs to consider preparations and protocols associated with illness and self-care. 

Whether a teacher’s absence is short-term or long-term, planned or unplanned, it’s important to reassure young children that while the absence will mean changes in the day’s or week’s events, some things will remain the same. Ultimately, each student’s individual and/or collaborative participation in helping a substitute teacher will go a long way toward ensuring a smooth transition for all. 

Administrators eager to facilitate early community-building and social and emotional learning discussions on the topic of substitute teachers can invest in a small picture-book library (see below) that puts this topic front and center. Using the familiar platform of the daily read-aloud, students and teachers can consider a book’s story and illustrations to prompt questions and concerns associated with their own classroom protocols if their homeroom teacher is absent. Offering this list as a resource to parents/caregivers could additionally offer comfort and the opportunity for parents to continue the discussion at home.

The six picture books featured below include old and new titles, many of them within a familiar series. Each book addresses essential themes of wellness—physical as well as social and emotional. Even the preposterous nonexamples or cautionary tales, as in the case of the beloved Miss Nelson series and Here Comes Teacher Cat, can allow the classroom community to consider and refine what their roles might be (or not be) if a teacher is absent.

Post-reading extension activities could include the following:

• Create a T-chart listing similarities and differences between the classroom in the book and the students’ classroom.
• Brainstorm a list of potential ways for students to assume the role of helper to a new teacher.
• Write a welcome letter dictated by the class to a new teacher to add to a substitute file. 
• Assemble a “school” prop box for children to use during dramatic play. Consider asking students about items that might go in the box.
• Read additional titles from the book series.

Ultimately, for young children to build resilience and be able to sustain flexibility when a teacher is absent, administrators, teachers, and parents/caregivers need to be on the same page and have early and sustained discussions with students to address questions and concerns about teacher absences to demystify the experience. 

6 books featuring substitute teachers

Here Comes Teacher Cat, by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda. Cat’s schedule for the day features back-to-back napping, but Kitty School needs a substitute teacher immediately! Cat manages to engage the eager and curious classroom of kitties in music, block building, and art activities. Cat and the kitties work hard and play hard, and when Ms. Melba finally returns, Cat and the kitties share what they did all day. Ultimately, Cat (and the kitties) finally fall into a heap, taking a much-deserved cat/kitty nap. (Preschool–kindergarten)

Miss Bindergarten Stays Home From Kindergarten, by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff. Poor Miss Bindergarten has to stay home with the flu. Fortunately, Mr. Tusky will be the substitute teacher! As the week progresses, some students also get sick; however, with time and help from loving caregivers, each patient recovers to return to school. (Preschool–kindergarten)

Same Way Ben, by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. “Ben liked things the same way—every day.” So Ben is completely unsettled when his teacher Mrs. Garcia goes on maternity leave and Mr. Elliot, the music teacher, becomes his new teacher. While Ben is initially frustrated, he ultimately comes to understand that although routines are comforting, change can bring adventure and joy. (Preschool–grade three)

Iris and Walter and the Substitute Teacher, by Elissa Haden Guest, illustrated by Christine Davenier. Iris is initially delighted when her grandfather steps in as substitute for her teacher Miss Cherry. Day one is a dream as Iris assumes the role of “special helper.” On day two, Iris is unsettled because Grandpa is now calling on her classmates to help. Grandpa notices Iris’s frustration, and Iris confesses that she wants to be his only helper, and frankly wants him to return to being just her grandfather. Grandpa understands, and after this last day of substituting, they go out for ice cream to celebrate their special relationship and a job well done. (Kindergarten–grade two)

Sick Day Jitters, by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love. Mrs. Hartwell is under the weather and must stay home. Her students take turns apprising Mrs. Hartwell via the “Homeroom Hub” of the day’s events as assorted substitutes pinch-hit throughout the school day. A corresponding lesson plan is available on the author’s website. (Kindergarten–grade two)

The Miss Nelson Collection, by Harry G. Allard, illustrated by James Marshall. The generations-beloved (and equally feared) substitute teacher Viola Swamp entered the classroom in 1977, and this special compilation includes the three Miss Nelson books: Miss Nelson Is Missing!, Miss Nelson is Back, and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. (Kindergarten–grade three)