Read Alouds:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems - A bus driver steps off his bus full of animals for a few minutes, but not before he warns the readers: Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schahner - The adventures of kitten with an overactive imagination and who thinks he's a chihuahua.
A Bargain for Frances by Lillian Hoban - Frances makes a deal to buy a tea set from Thelema, a girl her mother warned her to be careful of, only to find she has been tricked.
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems - Trixie leaves her bunny at the laundromat, but can't tell her parents because she hasn't started talking, yet.
No More Kissing by Emma Clark Chichester - Momo hates kissing, but when baby brother won't stop crying, Momo discovers sometimes a little kiss is the best medicine.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - Caterpillar eats his way through the book (literally) on his journey to becoming a butterfly.
I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer - Little Critter can't do anything he wants to do. He gets so mad, that he tries to run away. Then his friends ask him to play and he changes his mind. (This is just one of the many books in the Little Critter series. All are rich in illustration and short on words. Perfect for little ones.)
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel - Kitty turns bad when her favorite foods are not available. (Not your basic alphabet book.)
Poor Puppy by Nick Bruel - Sequel to Bad Kitty, Puppy wants to play, but kitty does not. (Another clever alphabet book.)
The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood - A list of quiet situations. Charming pictures and clever text.
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown - Liam becomes a gardener when he finds a lone patch of dying wildflowers growing on a railway and transforms a dark, dreary city into a bright, beautiful place to live.
Ribbit by Rodrigo Folgueira - A family of frogs are confused to find a pig in their pond who "ribbits," so they seek the help of a wise old beetle who suggests maybe all the pig wants is to be friends.
Books for Beginning Readers to Read:
Kindergarten -
Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems - Gerald and Piggie are best friends who have opposite personalities (Gerald is practical and serious, Piggie is carefree and whimsical), experience new things in each book. (This is a series of books that your kindergartner will likely be able to read by the second semester.)
Noodles: I Love Snow by Hans Wilhelm - Noodles is enjoying the snow when he notices a raccoon in need of help. (Noodles is a series of books.)
DK Readers: Dinosaur Day by Ruth Thomson - A day in the life of a Triceratops.
Lego City Adventures (books 1-3) by Sonia Sander - This series uses few words and bright, colorful pictures of Lego City figures in action.
Twins Go to Bed by Ellen Weiss - Twin toddlers explore everyday experiences. Only a few words on each page. Great for beginning readers.
Twins in the Park by Ellen Weiss - Twin toddlers explore everyday experiences. Only a few words on each page. Great for beginning readers.
Twins Take a Bath by Ellen Weiss - Twin toddlers explore everyday experiences. Only a few words on each page. Great for beginning readers.
Twins have a Fight by Ellen Weiss - Twin toddlers explore everyday experiences. Only a few words on each page. Great for beginning readers.
1st Grade -
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish - Series of books about a housekeeper who takes her instructions literally, causing all kinds of misunderstandings and mishaps.
Super Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold - One in a series of humorous books about a fly named Buzz.
Rainbow Magic Series by Daisy Meadows - A series of stories about a group of seven sister fairies who live in the magical world of Fairyland.
Henry and Mudge (series) by Cynthia Rylant - The adventures of an only child and his 180 pound dog. (Levels 1-3)
Mr. Putter and Tabby (series) by Cynthia Rylant - Stories from the life of an elderly man and his elderly cat. (AR Levels range from 2-3)
Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin - Twin sisters explain through 6 short stories just how different they really are. Lexile Level 390, AR 1.8, IL K-1
*For kindergartners, look for Pre-Level 1 books in the Easy Readers section of your library or book store. DK Readers has a lot of non-fiction titles to choose from. Scholastic Readers produce plenty of fiction (including Clifford and Noodles). In 1st grade, look for Level 1, 2 and 3 or picture books that contain mostly words you know your child has encountered before (on spelling lists). It's amazing, but second graders usually move on to easy chapter books. See list below....
Books series for second graders
Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo - A pig with a quirky personality and a knack for getting into troublesome situations. Lexile Level 380 - 450, AR 2.6 - 3.2, IL 1-2
Ready Freddy by Abby Klien - A series about Freddy, a shark obsessed kid, and how he deals with his kid relatable problems. Lexile Level 280 - 630, AR 1.9-3.3, IL 1-3
Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat - Pint size private eye, Nate, locates missing items like balloons, slippers, and even a chicken. Lexile Level 110 - 480, AR Level 2.0 - 3.2 IL 1-2
Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee - Two unlikely friends navigate differing personalities and interests with compromise and fun. (Not a series, yet, but betting it will be.) Lexile Level 310, AR 2.5, IL 1-2
Poppleton and Friends (series) by Cynthia Rylant - A city pig adjusts to his new life and friends in the country. (AR Levels range from 2.0 to 2.7)
Lunch Lady (series) by Jarrett J. Krosoczka - Three kids find out their lunch lady is a crime fighter in her spare time. This series promotes positive messages (like being honest and standing up for yourself) while being silly and fun and appealing to both boys and girls. Lexile GN240-GN280, AR 2.2-3.0, IL 2-3
