Using books to teach your students about following good hand hygiene is the perfect way to help them visualize and understand why washing their hands safeguards their and their classmates’ health. 

In The Day I Forgot to Wash My Hands, students meet a boy who learns a very important lesson after having a sticky jam sandwich for lunch. When his mother tells him to wash his hands before he continues playing in the yard, he decides to put it off after playing one game.  

Hilarity (and grossness!) ensue as he picks up all kinds of things with his sticky hands, from sand to pinecones to grass confetti. By the time he’s ready to wash his hands, he’s not able to walk through the bathroom door because they’re covered with so much stuff. 

The silly and fun visuals that depict germs on dirty hands serve a valuable lesson for students to develop and keep their own healthy habits. The rhyming text and fun illustrations in this hilarious picture book also holds their attention and allows them to make real-world connections, sharpen comprehension, and meet their reading goals. 

Shop more books about following good hygiene and germs below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.