Are you looking for easy books to help your young reader experience reading success? These books begin with emergent readers and move on to more difficult readers with more words, sentences and eventually smaller font. But all have bright pictures that help move the story along. Next week, I’ll review early chapter books for children who have graduated to books with a longer story format and less pictures.
Have You Seen My Cat?, by Eric Carle, is in this new beginning reader format with all of the brilliant illustrations that made Mr. Carle so famous. The newest readers will love this book. Be sure to check out the last page where the author illustrated and labeled types of cats. Also, “The Greedy Python” has also been formatted into a level 1 reader.
Dino School: Meet Teddy Rex!, by Bonnie Williams, and brightly painted by John Gordon, is a level one book and the first book in this new series: “Ready-to-Read”. The Dino School presents Teddy, a Tyrannosaurus Rex. You’ll also meet Steve, who is a Stegosaurus, and Bridget, a Brachiosaurus.
Skeletons, by Lily Wood, is a level 2 book and this is a great time to introduce new readers to non-fiction books which help them realize the wonder, intrigue and interest in learning about facts. This particular book uses photos to label and inform youngsters about bones and bone structure. Nic Bishop’s “Spiders” is another outstanding non-fiction book.
Cookies: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure, illustrated with acrylic, and written by Keith Baker, is a level 2 book that takes the reader through a story exploring and tasting cookies. Youngsters will surely identify with this story. Also, check out another of their adventures: “Camping”.
Uncover & Discover: What Will I Be?, by Nicola Davies, and illustrated with full-page color by Marc Boutavant, is a fun book to read and explore with lift-the-flaps that hide answers of what you think the animal will be after reading the clues.
Odd Animal Helpers, by Gabrielle Reyes, shows youngsters the importance and uniqueness of the balance of nature: The large rhino and the small bird that helps him by eating the bugs that land on its body and bees help flowering plants to make seeds by collecting pollen on its body and then spreading the pollen to make new seeds. Wonderful photographs were used for these vivid pictures.
A Poor Excuse for a Dragon, by Geoffrey Hayes, is a level 4 reader and would be a great read aloud. Fred is a dragon who has a list of tasks to complete to become a successful dragon. The story is fun, funny and a delight!
Bink & Gollie, by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, and digitally illustrated by Tony Fucile, is a new series with a beginning chapter book format that is based on friendship. Bink and Gollie are friends that share fun and humorous adventures. This story takes place in their amazing tree house with three easy chapters. Their newest book is “Two for One”.
Monkey and Elephant, by Carole Lexa Schaefer, and digitally illustrated by Galia Bernstein, is an easy beginning chapter book with three simple chapters that sum up the adventures of these two friends. The contrasts in their body structures and personalities don’t inhibit their feelings for each other.
Bramble and Maggie, by Jessie Haas, and illustrated with gouache by Alison Friend, is another easy beginning chapter book but with more words, smaller font and four chapters. Bramble is a horse and Maggie is looking for a horse that will win her heart. Bramble is looking for someone to love as well. Sounds like a good match!
Three More Stories You Can Read to Your Cat, by Sara Swan Miller, and painted with ink and watercolor by True Kelley, has three different short stories about snow, birthdays and breakfast. It is written purr-fectly.
Pirates (a Kingfisher Reader), by Philip Steele, is a level 4 non-fiction (as with all Kingfisher books) that is full of facts, photos and maps that will surely entice and inform your young reader. Be sure to check out the inside cover, “Notes to Parents”, that will help to engage your reader and most likely open an interesting and educational discussion.
3-D Thrillers! Bugs and the World’s Creepiest Microbugs, by Paul Harrison, is a fascinating look at these small creatures that are found throughout the world. The photos are amazing and the information lay-out is kid-friendly. There’s also 3-D glasses attached on the inside cover. Enjoy!
