Tom's Tweet by Jill Esbaum

Summary: When a cat finds a bedraggled baby bird that has fallen from its nest, an unlikely friendship develops between the two.

Little ones are sure to enjoy this book for its silly humor. I enjoyed the grumpy character, Tom.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 3

Dinosaurs Don't, Dinosaurs Do

by Steve Björkman

Summary: Colorful illustrations of dinosaurs and simple text reveal lessons of etiquette for children, encouraging sharing, and demonstrating good manners.

This is an amusing story for discussing appropriate behavior with preschool age children. The illustrations of the dinosaurs are appealing to youngsters.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Henry's Heart: A boy, his heart, and a new best friend

by Charise Mericle Harper

Summary: When Henry falls in love, his heart reacts strangely.

This is a neat book. The first half is about the real heart in our chests. Then, the text becomes a story about love and what makes hearts beat faster. The book’s illustrations are cartoonish and include many captions and fun diagrams.

Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 2

The Crown on Your Head

by Nancy Tillman

Summary: A story in rhyme, lovingly expressing that every child is born with a crown of features that gives them unique value as they grow.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful. In certain places, the illustrations look realistic, like photographs. In other places, the pictures are dream-like. This is an excellent book for a parent or care giver to read to a child before bed and to close the night by telling the child how they are loved. The story can be used as a conversation starter about self-worth.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

A Box Can Be Many Things

 by Dana Meachen Rau

Summary: A girl and her brother retrieve a large box from the garbage and pretend that it is a cave, car, house, and cage.

This story is a celebration of imagination! This book is part of the Rookie Readers publications. These books vary in style and appeal but are all excellent books for readers who are beginning to read on their own.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1

I Love My Daddy Because…

by Laurel Porter-Gaylord

Summary: Many different animal fathers are shown caring for their young.

This is a very sweet story. It is an excellent share for celebrating dads and Father’s Day. The author also wrote I Love My Mommy Because…

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

 

Let's Look for Opposites 

by Bill Gillham and Susan Hulme

Summary: Illustrates such opposite concepts as full/empty, open/shut, top/bottom, and dark/light, using photographs and sentences.

This book is ideal to read to children from birth. The illustrations are photographs which infants often enjoy. However, the photographs are somewhat dated. The short and simple text makes it a wonderful one on one read to young children with short attention spans. The book may also be used to teach opposites.

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

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