Tumble

Tumble

by Maria Van Lieshout

Summary: When three little bears find a red toy to play with and Tumble claims it for his own, this proves to be not such a good idea.

This is a short book with little text on each page which allows it to be used for discussing sharing with very young children. For slightly older readers, it can be used to discuss that it is important to give because sometimes in life you will need other people’s help.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Young Adult Supernatural Reads

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Librarianjk recommends Sitting Duck

Sitting Duck

by Jackie Urbanovic

Summary: Max the duck volunteers to help babysit for puppy Anabel, unaware of all the mischief a puppy can get into.

This is a fun book that I would use simply for entertainment. I recommend it to dog and duck lovers.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends The Happy Hippopotami

The Happy Hippopotami

by Bill Martin, Jr.

Summary: The happy hippopotami enjoy a merry holiday at the beach, wearing pretty beach pajamas, dancing around the maypole, or battling with water guns.

The illustrations of hippopotamuses in this book are cute and different. The author creates words such as “hippopotammas” and “hippopotadaughters”.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Librarianjk recommends The Hundred Dresses

The Hundred Dresses

by Eleanor Estes

Summary: In winning a medal she is no longer there to receive, a tight-lipped little Polish girl teaches her classmates a lesson.

This is a wonderful book to read as a class, especially when children are being bullied. I found the ending moving and sad. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys realistic fiction.

Interest Level: grades 4-6

Reading Level: grade 5

Otto Goes to School

Otto Goes to School

 by Todd Parr

Summary: After a breakfast of juice, cereal, and a banana split, Otto goes to school for the first time, where he makes new friends and learns how to wag his tail without knocking things over.

This is a cute and humorous picture book. It is short and most appropriate for children entering preschool.

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

Librarianjk recommends One of Us

One of Us

by Peggy Moss

Summary: Roberta is welcomed by different groups on her first day at a new school, only to be told she does not fit in with them for some reason.

This book is great for discussing conformity, fitting in, and that sometimes having friends who are different is great.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Bats at the Beach

Bats at the Beach

by Brian Lies

Summary: On a night when the moon can grow no fatter, bats pack their moon-tan lotion and baskets of treats and fly off for some fun on the beach.

This book is a lot of fun. I recommend this book especially to bat and beach lovers.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Historical Fiction for Grades 3-6

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Librarianjk recommends Feivel's Flying Horses

Feivel's Flying Horses

by Heidi Smith Hyde

Summary: A Jewish immigrant who is saving money to bring his wife and children to join him in America creates ornate horses for a carousel on Coney Island, one for each member of his family.

This is a wonderful historical fiction picture book. It is appropriate to discuss immigration and Jewish traditions after reading this book.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Librarianjk recommends The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

by E. Lockhart

Summary: Sophomore Frankie starts dating senior Matthew Livingston, but when he refuses to talk about the all-male secret society that he and his friends belong to, Frankie infiltrates the society in order to enliven their mediocre pranks.

This is a really cool book. I love Frankie for the strong female character that she is. This book is loaded with humor. I recommend this to any young adult.

Interest  Level: Young Adult
Reading Level: Young Adult

Librarianjk recommends Buzz

Buzz

by Eileen Spinelli

Summary: After learning that a bee's body is too chunky for flight, Buzz the bumblebee defies the laws of aerodynamics to save a friend in need.

This book is fantastic for discussing that you cannot always believe what you read and self-fulfilling prophecies.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Creak! Said the Bed

Creak! Said the Bed

by Phyllis Root

In the middle of a dark, stormy night, one child, then another, then a third wake their mother and ask to climb into the bed, but when the last member of the family arrives Papa declares there is no more room.

This is a very cute book. Through humor, a parent can teach a child why they should sleep in their own bed!

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends I Know Here

I Know Here

by Laurel Croza

Summary: The little girl in this story lives in a trailer near a forest where her father is building a dam. Everything in her world is familiar and precious to her. But the dam is nearly finished and the family is moving to the city, which the little girl knows only as a place marked by a big red star on the map at school. Have the city people seen what I have seen, she wonders? The teacher suggests that she draw something that she wants to remember to take away with her when she leaves, and the little girl decides to draw what she knows — her road and everything her world contains — so that she can keep it with her always.

This book has beautiful illustrations and is wonderful for discussing moving.

Interest Level: k-3
Reading Level: grade 2 

Fantasy for Fourth to Sixth Graders

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Librarianjk recommends My Garden

My Garden

by Kevin Henkes

Summary: After helping her mother weed, water, and chase the rabbits from their garden, a young girl imagines her dream garden complete with jellybean bushes, chocolate rabbits, and tomatoes the size of beach balls.

This book is so cute! A follow-up could be putting the items in the garden in the book garden on paper and adding their own things. Also, they could write a story about their own garden or another place, learning about planting, or planting.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Librarianjk recommends What If?

What If?

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

What if a boy found a beach ball and kicked it into the ocean? What if two seals found it and began to play? What if a third seal appeared on the beach looking for a friend? Enjoy this visit to the beach and the chance to guess what happens when different choices are made.

This book is excellent to use as one can use a wordless picture book. With very little text, a child can tell what is going on in the pictures or create their own story. The illustrations are beautiful.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Librarianjk recommends Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

 by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Summary: The school lunch lady is a secret crime fighter who uncovers an evil plot to replace all the popular teachers with robots.

This book is very funny in a silly way. This book is great for young reluctant readers.

Interest Level: grades 2-6
Reading Level: 2

Librarianjk recommends Pigs to the Rescue

Pigs to the Rescue 

by John Himmelman

Summary: All week long the pigs help out around the farm in unexpected ways.

This is an adorable book. I recommend it to children interested in farm animals. A discussion about good intentions and asking if someone needs help before helping is appropriate.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Pete the Cat : I Love My White Shoes

by Eric Litwin

Summary: Pete the Cat gets into colorful adventures while out walking in his new white shoes.

This book is very cute. I like that the moral of the story is “it’s all good”.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1

Dragon Stew

Dragon Stew

 by Steve Smallman

Summary: When five bored Vikings go looking for adventure, they decide on a fearless quest to catch a dragon for their stew.

This books’ purpose seems to be exclusively entertainment. I recommend it to children interested in Vikings and dragons.

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

Concept Books for Preschool students

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Librarianjk recommends Charlie's Superhero Underpants

Charlie's Superhero Underpants

by Paul Bright

Summary: When a gusting wind blows the laundry off the clothesline, Charlie travels the world searching for his favorite scarlet superhero underpants.

This book is very funny and is great for young, reluctant readers and listeners. This book is definitely different!

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Librarianjk recommends Martha Says it with Flowers

Martha Says it with Flowers

by Susan Meddaugh

Summary: Martha always seems to do the wrong thing around Helen's Grandma Lucille. To prove that she really is a considerate dog, Martha decides to do something extra special for Grandma's birthday. Can Martha redeem herself by finding a gift in time for the big day?

This is a very cute, sweet book. Martha has the best of intentions, but is easily distracted. This book is great for discussing character.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Marley: A Dog Like No Other

Marley: A Dog Like No Other

by John Grogan

Follows the life story of an exuberant Labrador retriever who gets into perpetual trouble and experiences a range of inspiring adventures.

I love this book! I recommend this book to any dog or animal lover and anyone with a sense of humor. I have three Labradors myself, and I found myself saying, “Yes, one of my dogs did that,” and “oh, thank goodness none of my dogs did that!” The reader should be aware that this book is about the dog’s entire life and there are sad parts. There are now many other Marley books available on all reading levels.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Dad and Pop: An Ode to Fathers and Stepfathers

Dad and Pop : An Ode to Fathers & Stepfathers

by Kelly Bennett

Summary: A little girl celebrates her two fathers, who are very different except in one very important way.

This is a very cute, sweet book! I like that she does not specify who her biological father is and who her stepfather is. I also like that the fathers are very different, however, the book does not stereotype a certain male. For example, Dad is an athlete and likes to bake.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Round Trip

Round Trip

by Ann Jonas

Summary: Black and white illustrations and text record the sights on a day trip to the city and back home again to the country.

This book fascinated me when I was in primary school. The book can be read forward, and then when the story is over, the book can be flipped upside down to read the rest of the story. The illustrations appear totally different upside down but still work to tell the rest of the story! This book is great for impressing both book lovers and reluctant readers.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Shrek!

Shrek!

by William Steig

Summary: Horribly hideous Shrek leaves home and terrifies everyone he encounters in his search for his equally ugly bride.

I enjoyed this picture book that inspired the movie. However, Shrek looks and acts very different in this book. The ending of the book has a very different message. This book is mainly humorous and much more simplistic.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Historical Fiction for Beginning Readers

Librarianjk recommends Daddy is a Cozy Hug

Daddy is a Cozy Hug

by Rhonda Gowler Greene

Summary: A child celebrates all of the wonderful things a father can be throughout the year, from a wiggling fish in summer to a warm blanket in winter.

This is a very sweet book that is excellent for celebrating Father’s Day.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3