Rrralph

by Lois Ehlert

Summary; The narrator describes discovering how Ralph the dog can talk, appropriately saying words such as "roof," "rough," "bark," and "wolf."

This is a short, humorous story. It is excellent to read aloud to preschoolers or for primary age children to read to themselves. The illustrations are in an interesting collage format. For example, objects, such as a piece of a soda can, are incorporated into the characters.

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

Camp K-9

by Mary Ann Rodman

Summary: Roxie is keeping a secret from her fellow campers--a blankie that she keeps hidden but wants desperately every time Lacy, a big, mean poodle, causes trouble.
This book can be used to discuss many things including bullying and being oneself. I do not recommend reading this to younger children only because of its’ length. The story itself is appropriate for younger children.

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

Leap Back Home to Me

by Lauren Thompson

Summary: A little frog makes increasingly bold leaps out into the world, and then comes back to his mother after each excursion.

This is a sweet mother-child story. The rhythm of the text makes the book great for sharing with very young children at bedtime.

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

Summer Reading Theme 2011: One World, Many Stories Reads for Grades 3-5

Pig Kahuna

by Jennifer Sattler

Summary: Fergus and his little brother, Dink, love collecting the things that wash up on the beach, especially if it means that Fergus doesn't actually have to go in the water. Then one day, they spy the greatest treasure of all—an abandoned surfboard. But when it accidentally gets cast back into the ocean, can Fergus find the courage to rescue it?

This is a humorous book that can be used to discuss overcoming fears, namely, swimming in the water.

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

Blackout

 by John Rocco

Summary: When a busy family's activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find that they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once.

This is a super book for children who are afraid of the dark. An adult can discuss with a child that a blackout can be fun! Also, this book lends to a discussion on how a break from technology can be fun, too.

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

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-tale Detectives

  by Michael Buckley

Summary: Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fractured fairytale. It is the first book in the Sister’s Grimm series. This is a wonderful book to recommend to older children that enjoy fractured fairytale books such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. The beginning of the book is somewhat sad, but the majority of this book is light-hearted and entertaining. The sisters’ spunky personalities soften the blow. These strong female characters will resonate with less “girly” children as well as the feminine fairy tale loving crowd.

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

Shoe-la-la

by Karen Beaumont

Summary: Four girls go in search of the perfect pair of party shoes.

This is a fun read, especially for young children who enjoy fashion and shoes!

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

Gabby and Grandma Go Green

Gabby and Grandma Go Green

by Monica Wellington

Summary: Gabby and her grandmother spend the day together doing things that help the environment, from sewing cloth bags out of fabric scraps to dropping off their recycling and visiting the library for more helpful ideas.

This story is an excellent read aloud for celebrating Earth Day or for discussing environmental protection. It is also wonderful for reading one on one because of the detailed illustrations and short side notes that include advice about caring for our Earth.

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

Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji

by F. Zia

Summary: Aneel and his grandfather, Dada-ji, tell stories, use their imaginations, and make delicious roti, a traditional Indian flatbread.

This is a fun story that is most appropriate for reading before cooling, especially roti. Other uses for this book are to celebrate grandparents and diversity. It is a great read for this summer’s national reading theme “One world Many Stories.”

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

Summer Reading Theme 2011: One World, Many Stories Reads for First and Second Graders

Click on image for larger print

The Best Birthday Ever!

by Charise Mericle Harper

Summary: Lana Kitty, little sister of Fashion Kitty, guides readers through everything necessary for the ideal birthday party.

This is an adorable story that a parent can read to a child before attending or throwing his/her first birthday party. It will prepare him/her for what may happen at the party and how they should behave. The book contains a great deal of glitter and pink.

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

While You Are Sleeping:

A Lift-the-flap Book of Time Around the World

by Durga Bernhard

Describes how the Earth's rotation results in different time zones and activities around the globe, with children sleeping in one part of the world while others may be walking home or climbing a tree, with some activities hidden under flaps.

This is a book with spectacular illustrations. It is great for reading before bed. There is a clock on each page, making it appropriate to use with children who are learning to tell time. The best use of this book is to discuss time zones. Also, it can be incorporated into this summer’s national reading theme “One World Many Stories.”

Interest Level: ages 2- grade 3

Reading Level: grade 4

Princess In the Pigpen

by Jane Resh Thomas

Summary: Elizabeth, a duke's daughter sick with fever, travels through time from Elizabethan England to a farm in modern Iowa, where she has difficulty convincing anyone of the truth of her story.

I read this when I was young and found Elizabeth’s struggles with modern colloquialisms amusing. I felt her frustration when no one would believe her, but also enjoyed the silly humor of this book

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 7

Baby Badger's Wonderful Night

by Karen Saunders

Summary: Baby Badger is frightened as darkness falls, and so Papa Badger takes him on a walk, pointing out the beauty and wonder of the night.

This is a cute bedtime story for young children. I would not recommend it for anything beyond that.

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

The Water Hole

 by Graeme Base

As ever growing numbers of animals visit a watering hole, introducing the numbers from one to ten, the water dwindles.

This counting book has stunning illustrations. It is appropriate for discussing the environment and using resources sparingly.

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

Ahmed and the Feather Girl

by Jane Ray

Summary: Ahmed, an orphan working long hours with a traveling circus, finds a golden egg in the forest, which hatches into a beautiful girl. Ahmed must save her from being exploited by the cruel circus owner, Madame Saleem.

This is a somewhat odd book. I was hoping for a more detailed ending. The contents of this book do not indicate whether this is legitimately an old folktale or if that is the style in which it is told. However, it is an appropriate recommendation for this summer’s national reading theme “One world Many Stories.”

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

Summer Reading Theme 2011: One World Many Stories Reads for Preschool and Kindergarten Students

Click on image for larger print

At This Very Moment

by Jim Arnosky

Identifies some of the things happening in nature while one goes about an ordinary day, such as a shark circling a reef while one brushes one's teeth, or puffins eating fresh-caught fish while one eats dinner.

This book contains beautiful illustrations of animals around the world. This is a great story for discussing nocturnal animals. It is most appropriate for reading to a young child before bed.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 6

Can Hens Give Milk?

by Joan Betty Stuchner

Summary: On a small farm in Chelm, a man and his daughter set out to find a way to get milk from their hens, and the results are not only funny, they're wacky.

This is a humorous story that is based on the Jewish tales of a place called Chelm. In this fictional land, people do not have a great deal of common sense. This is a fantastic read for this summer’s reading theme “One World Many Stories.” Anytime of the year, it is great to incorporate in a unit lesson on folk tales and fairytales. A reader can activate a listener by asking questions such as “Can that happen?” or “Does that make sense?” throughout the story.

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

The Alchemyst

by Michael Scott

Summary: While working at summer jobs in San Francisco, twins Sophie and Josh find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book.

This is the exciting and fascinating first book in a series. I recommend this book to young adults and younger readers on a high reading level. I feel there is no objectionable material aside from fantasy violence. This series draws characters from ancient mythology of several different cultures. Like the Percy Jackson series, modern teen characters and ancient characters interact in an original story that takes place today.

Interest Level: grade 4-12
Reading Level: grade 6

Zoomer's Summer Snowstorm

by Ned Young

Summary: When a young dog's snow-cone machine fills the backyard with snow, his imagination runs wild and turns a hot summer day into a cold wintry one.

This is an entertaining book for a hot summer day. During the winter, teachers or parents can freeze snow, and play with the snow after this read. This is a fantastic idea for a sensory time with young children or students with autism.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 5

My Dog Jack is Fat

 by Eve Bunting

Summary: Carson does his best to help his dog, Jack, lose weight, with unexpected results.

Adults should proceed with caution if they choose to read this book. Parents may read this to a child to introduce them to what they can do to lose weight. Personally, I do not like the use of the word fat, and would definitely not use this with more than one child. However, children may enjoy the humorous aspects of this story.

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

I Love Vacations

by Anna Walker

Summary: A young zebra named Ollie enjoys his vacation by the sea.

This simple story is terrific for reading before a child’s first beach vacation!

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

Books to discuss values for preschool-grade 2

The Cat's Pajamas

 by Wallace Edwards

Summary: Depicts twenty-six idioms contextualized within a sentence along with illustrations that bring new meaning to each, and includes explanations of the sayings.

This book has bright, beautiful illustrations. The text and pictures work together to create a wonderfully imaginative and humorous story. This book can be used to introduce a lesson on idioms.

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

Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash

by Sarah Weeks

Summary: Mrs. McNosh hangs up her wash with such gusto that her clothesline ends up holding the dog, a Christmas wreath, a kite, and other odd items.

This is a comical story that is great to read simply for entertainment.

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

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Summary: A young boy named Charlie finds a golden chocolate wrapper that is his ticket to a special tour through a chocolate factory.

I read this book in fifth grade and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many parts are funny in an obscure way, and I will admit I did not understand all of the humor until I re-read it later in life. It would be fun to have a class chocolate party after completing this book. Of course, a teacher would need to identify any allergies.

Inerest Level: grades 3-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Doodleday

by Ross Collins

Summary: Despite his mother's warning, young Harvey draws on Doodleday. But when his drawings come to life in frightening ways, only his mother can help.

This is an entertaining book. It is a unique tale with There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly elements.

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

No Fair Science Fair

by Nancy Poydar

As his class science fair approaches, Otis has trouble even thinking of an idea; but once he has built a bird feeder, he is determined to make some good observations, no matter how long it takes.

It is appropriate to read this story to a class before they are assigned a science fair project. This book is great for discussing determination, as well.

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