Sunny warm days and fireflies lighting our way, summer in Ohio feels like it will never end right now, but school is right around the corner and will be here before we know it. Before the leaves change and the backpacks need stuffed, step into the “back to school mindset” with the picture book Thank You, School by Ohio author Louise Borden.
Thank You, School is an acknowledgment and tribute to all the people who make school so special for everyone. Whether it’s the bus driver that gets kids safely to school, the lunch helpers who brighten little lives, the teachers who are up before the sun and sometimes home late when the sun is setting, to the custodians who keep the school clean, and so many others! Each of these dedicated individuals are highlighted in heartwarming ways that everyone can relate to and appreciate.
The story follows a daily school timeline starting at 7:15am with the teachers heading to school, and ends with the journey home at 3:25pm.
Each page showcases the little moments of everyday life that we maybe take for granted.
Cincinnati native Louise Borden is a visiting author who in her time as a writer has spoken at conferences and in hundreds of schools across America. Whether the book is fiction or non-fiction, her stories are inspired by real people who have impacted her life, including students and teachers. Furthermore, in a recent blog post written by Louise for CCIRA (A professional organization of educators and community members dedicated to the promotion and advancement of literacy), Louise emphasized the impact violence has on children and educators, such as school shootings. These moments have tremendous impact on the children, eductors, herself as an author, and America as a whole. The January 7th shooting in Minneapolis of Renee Good, is especially stressed in her blog post regarding the impact that event not only had on the child of that victim in life, but the impact that his educators would have going forward.
“Over the past decades, I’ve visited hundreds of schools across America from Maine to Florida to California. As a writer and as a visiting author, I consider engaging with students and teachers, and walking their hallways, to be an important and inspiring part of my life. Because of this, eight or so of my books have school settings. Additionally, several of my historical picture books mention school in their stories. And . . .always . . . teachers are my heroes.“
“What are the words to offer a child who is stricken with shock or grief or fear?”
“Thank goodness that today, in 2026, we have school counselors across the nation who have the training and the hearts to bring comfort and courage to bereaved students and their teachers.”
Photo: Lining up for autographs at the Buckeye Book Fair, 2024
If you would like to read more of Louise’s words, you can find the blogpost here.
Louise who attended a small elementary school herself, hopes that any young reader can resonate and see themself in someway while reading this story. The beautiful story Thank You, School wrote by Louise is also brought to life with the wondrous illustrations by Paige Keiser. One can immerse and see themselves in the bright colorful illustrations that seem to jump off the page with every turn. Something interesting you may notice when experiencing the story is that it reads like a song to education workers; The School Library Journal called the book “a paean” (a song or hymn of praise/tribute).
Interested in owning your own copy of Thank You, School? Join Louise at the Buckeye Book Fair on Saturday, November 7th to purchase your own copy!
Educators recieve a 20% discount at the Buckeye Book Fair.
This book is not only the perfect gift for a student or teacher, but education workers of all backgrounds, custodians, lunch cooks/workers, nurses, office workers, librarians, etc. Want more back to school? Louise has numerous books about school for all ages, like The A + Custodian, Kindergarten Luck, Off to First Grade, Good Luck Mrs. K, and many more. You can find a list of them all here.
Looking for more and interested in her future work? She is currently working on a picture book as well as book set in World Ward II, which is being written for middle grade readers. Make sure to check out her website to stay connected and see more from the fantastic author.
To check out the author + illustrator list for the 2026 Buckeye Book Fair be sure to subscribe to the Buckeye Bookmark!
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