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September Book Companions: All About Me and Self-Awareness
- LeCha Brown
- Aug 17
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 22
September is the perfect time to dive into the theme of All About Me and Self-Awareness. Whether you’re teaching in a special education classroom or guiding learning at home, this month is about helping children discover what makes them unique, recognize their strengths, and understand their role in a community.
This month’s books include: The Rainbow Fish, There’s Only One You, Remarkably You, and Collaboration Station. Each one encourages learners to reflect on who they are, what they bring to the world, and how they can connect with others. Paired with FREE structured book companions, these stories can be transformed into meaningful lessons that nurture both literacy and social-emotional growth.
These companions include structured supports: title, author, illustrator, character, setting, problem, solution, vocabulary words, retelling/sequencing, and comprehension questions, that deepen understanding and meet the needs of diverse learners. To learn more about the book companions, you can check out my blog post here.
Week 1: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Why It’s Perfect for September
The Rainbow Fish is a timeless classic that uses a simple yet powerful story to teach children about generosity and connection. Rainbow Fish begins the story proud of his shiny scales, but his pride leaves him lonely. As he learns to share, he discovers that kindness and giving bring true happiness.
For September’s theme of All About Me, this book is perfect because:
It introduces the idea that self-awareness includes how our actions affect others.
The vibrant illustrations capture attention and make abstract concepts like loneliness and sharing easier to understand.
Children often experience new social dynamics at the start of school, making this a relatable story about finding friends.
Its predictable structure and clear moral make it especially helpful for children who benefit from explicit, direct teaching of social skills.
Added Benefits of the Book Companion
The companion makes this classic story even more impactful by guiding children through:
Identifying the title, author, and illustrator to practice book awareness.
Recognizing characters (Rainbow Fish, friends) and the ocean setting to anchor comprehension.
Exploring the problem (feeling lonely because of pride) and the solution (learning to share) to build social understanding.
Introducing vocabulary words to expand emotional language.
Practicing retelling and sequencing to reinforce story order.
Engaging with comprehension questions that connect to real-life sharing experiences.
This companion ensures the story isn’t just about a pretty fish—it becomes a tool for teaching empathy and self-awareness.
If you don't own the book, and would like the link to purchase, you can get it here on Amazon!
If you don't want to purchase the book, you can find read aloud options here.
Week 2: There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook
Why It’s Perfect for this moth
This uplifting story celebrates individuality by reminding children that there is only one you. Each child is unique, valuable, and deserving of love and respect. The colorful illustrations of diverse children help reinforce the message of acceptance.
It aligns beautifully with September’s All About Me focus because:
It gives children a chance to celebrate their own uniqueness, a key part of self-awareness.
The repetitive, positive phrasing makes it accessible for emergent readers and children with language delays.
The book naturally encourages discussion about diversity, differences, and similarities in a gentle and age-appropriate way.
It helps set a tone of respect and belonging early in the year, which is essential in both classroom and homeschool communities.
Added Benefits of the Book Companion
With your structured companion, students deepen their connection to the text through:
Focusing on title, author, and illustrator for consistent literacy practice.
Identifying characters and settings to ground understanding.
Discussing the problem (not recognizing individuality) and solution (celebrating uniqueness).
Highlighting vocabulary words.
Practicing retelling to reinforce narrative flow.
Reflecting on comprehension questions to encourage building self-awareness.
This companion helps children see their value and feel proud of who they are.
If you don't own the book, and would like the link to purchase, you can get it here on Amazon!
If you don't want to purchase the book, you can find read aloud options here.
Week 3: Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller
Why It’s Perfect for September
Remarkably You is an empowering, motivational story that celebrates individuality and encourages children to recognize their strengths. The lyrical text and joyful illustrations highlight the many ways kids can make a difference in the world.
This book is a wonderful addition to an All About Me unit because:
It reinforces the idea that every child has something valuable to contribute, no matter their abilities.
Its wide variety of examples shows that being “remarkable” looks different for everyone: artistic, athletic, caring, or curious- your talents all matter.
The uplifting tone is ideal for building confidence at the start of the school year.
Its rhythmic phrasing makes it an engaging read-aloud that also works well for echo reading and fluency practice.
Added Benefits of the Book Companion
The book companion gives structure and meaning to the inspirational message:
Reviewing title, author, and illustrator reinforces reading routines.
Identifying characters (all children) and settings (various real-life situations).
Exploring the problem (not realizing your strengths) and solution (embracing who you are).
Introducing vocabulary words to enhance language skills.
Sequencing and retelling activities to support memory and comprehension.
Comprehension questions encourage reflection and goal-setting.
This companion bridges self-esteem lessons with literacy, making the message resonate.
If you don't own the book, and would like the link to purchase, you can get it here on Amazon!
If you don't want to purchase the book, you can find read aloud options here.
Week 4: Collaboration Station by Shannon Olsen
Why It’s Perfect for September
Collaboration Station highlights the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and valuing others’ contributions. As children adjust to new school routines or homeschool group activities, collaboration becomes a central skill for success.
This book supports the month’s theme because:
It teaches that self-awareness also includes understanding how we work with others.
The story models real-world problem-solving, showing kids that big challenges can be solved when everyone contributes.
It emphasizes respecting differences and appreciating each person’s unique role on a team.
Its engaging storyline is especially useful for teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) skills such as turn-taking, listening, and compromise.
Added Benefits of the Book Companion
The companion elevates the teamwork message by providing:
Practice with title, author, and illustrator for book recognition.
Identifying characters and the team-focused setting.
Breaking down the problem (challenges in working together) and solution (collaboration and respect).
Targeted vocabulary words.
Sequencing activities to show how cooperation builds step by step.
Comprehension questions that connect teamwork in the story to teamwork at home or school.
This companion transforms the story into a practical lesson on community, responsibility, and respecting others’ ideas.
If you don't own the book, and would like the link to purchase, you can get it here on Amazon!
If you don't want to purchase the book, you can find read aloud options here.
Wrapping Up September: Why These Book Companions Matter
Together, these four books highlight self-awareness, individuality, kindness, and collaboration. They show children how to celebrate who they are while learning to value others.
But it’s the book companions that make story time intentional. By focusing on story elements (title, author, illustrator, characters, setting, problem, solution), vocabulary growth, sequencing, and comprehension, you provide structured, accessible ways for students to process both the story and its life lessons.
For special education classrooms, these companions add routine, visual supports, and scaffolded activities that build confidence. For homeschool families, they provide ready-to-use discussion starters and literacy practice that tie naturally into real-life experiences.
This September, your book companions make stories come alive as tools for self-discovery and community building—exactly what children need at the start of a new school year.
Disclaimer:
The books referenced in this post are copyrighted works of their respective authors and publishers. The accompanying book companions are original, supplemental teaching resources created for educational purposes only. All illustrations, text, and activities within the companions are original and not copied directly from the books. These materials are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or a replacement for the original works. Please ensure you have legally obtained copies of the books for read-aloud or instructional use.
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources and products I truly love and think will be helpful.
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