Wake Up! Wake Up!

by Nancy Davis

Summary: When a little ladybug awakens from its long sleep and discovers that it is spring, it goes about waking all the other sleeping animals.

This fun book is excellent for print motivation in young children. Children may lift flaps in the book that reveal sleeping animals. Additionally, there are few words on each page making it ideal for young children

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

 In the Park

by Mandy Stanley

Summary: Labeled illustrations present words associated with parks, such as tree, inline skates, and merry-go-round.

This colorful, glittery board book is sure to catch the attention of even very young babies! On each page, there is one word or label for the picture. A long attention span is not required to enjoy this book

Interest Level: birth-age 2
Reading Level: grade 1

Survival Stories for Grades 6-8

Kiss Me! (I'm a Prince!)

by Heather McLeod

Summary: Ella meets a prince that has been turned into a frog and shows him the fun he has been missing as a member of royalty.

This is an adorable fractured fairytale! The pretty, though tomboyish looking girl, is a great character. If your child takes the “I am a princess” play a little too seriously, this is a great book to share with her.

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

Kindergators: Hands Off, Harry!

by Rosemary Wells

Summary: Harry has trouble keeping his hands off his classmates until Tina thinks of the perfect piece of gym equipment to teach him about personal space.

This book is useful for discussing inappropriate behavior in the classroom. It is best to read this book one on one with a child. The kindergators use an interesting approach to teach Harry acceptable behavior in the classroom.

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

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

by James Patterson

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Daniel has followed in his parents' footsteps as the Alien Hunter, exterminating beings on The List of Alien Outlaws on Terra Firma, but when he faces his first of the top ten outlaws, the very existence Earth and another planet are at stake.

Fans of adventure and action will be captivated by the book’s story. Despite its theme, the book is somewhat relatable; the book is told in first person by Daniel, a teenage boy with common teenage struggles. I enjoyed Daniel’s cynical and sarcastic outtake which adds a layer of humor to the story. This book is generally labeled as young adult, but it is not inappropriate for older elementary students who are strong readers.

Interest Level: grades 4-12
Reading Level: Young Adult

Melvin and the Boy

 by Lauren Castillo

Summary: When a boy finds a turtle basking in the sun at the park he thinks he has found the perfect pet, but the turtle only seems happy at bath time. Includes facts about turtles.

This is a cute book about caring for pets, especially turtles. The text encourages people to leave animals born in the wild in the wild.

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

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

by Eric Litwan

Summary: Pete the cat wears his school shoes when visiting the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and more while singing his special song.

I love this book! Though it is not as good as the first, this book is great for introducing what happens in school. The last line is “it’s all good” jut like the first book.

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

Peanut Butter and Homework Sandwiches

by Lisa Broadie Cook

Summary: When his teacher is out sick for a week, Martin MacGregor has a difficult time with the homework assigned by the substitute teacher

This is a humorous book. Students who have tough teachers may come to better understand them after reading this book.

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

Science Fiction Reads for Beginning Readers

Moon Dreams

by Ruth Martin

Summary: Luna, who loves to look at the moon, wonders where it goes during the day.

This fun read about the moon has mostly dark but beautiful illustrations. This book can be used to open a lesson on basic facts about the moon.

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

Huck Runs Amuck!

by Sean Taylor

Summary: The residents of North Skettykolk are no match for a visiting mountain goat with an enormous appetite for flowers.

This is a great repetitive picture book. Young children will enjoy the humor.

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

Just Being Audrey

by Margaret Cardillo

Summary: Provides biographical information about actress Audrey Hepburn, from her youth in Nazi-occupied Europe, through her rise to stardom in some of the era's most popular films, to her dedication to UNICEF.

This book is lengthy and most appropriate for older elementary school students to read to themselves. However, the content manner is appropriate for younger children. Audrey is depicted as a strong, independent woman allowing for a variety of discussions, including being one’s self. Her mother encouraged her to pursue careers for enjoyment and not for other motives such as fame. Once Audrey did become famous, she used her popularity to promote worthy causes.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Chew, Chew, Gulp!

by Lauren Thompson

Summary; Illustrations and simple, rhyming text demonstrate a variety of ways to eat different foods

This book is a celebration of food! When reading aloud, listeners can be involved by making the noises that are in the book.

Interest Level: infant-age 4
Reading Level: grade 1

Oh, Harry!

by Maxine Kumin

Summary: Harry the Horse excels at calming skittish equines in Adams & Son's show-horse barn, but he faces a different challenge when mischievous six-year-old Algernon Adams the Third arrives.

This is a humorous book that could be used to discuss inappropriate behavior.
Interest Level: age 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Mama and Me

by Arthur Dorros

Summary: A girl and her mother spend a day together gardening, making cookies, and visiting a neighbor.

I did not find this book particularly exciting, but the illustrations are gorgeous. This story is ideal for reading to young children who speak Spanish or children who are learning to speak Spanish. The text contains Spanish words scattered throughout. Read this book to celebrate this summer’s national reading theme “One World, Many Stories.”

Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

First Day of School Picture Books

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Rocket Town

by Bob Logan

Summary: Follows an astronaut and his dog as they travel through Rocket Town looking for the perfect rocket.

This is a simple, fun story for young children. I recommend it to any young child interested in astronauts and rockets. The types of rockets in this town are unique and funny.

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

Spot It Again!

by Delphine Chedru

Summary: Young readers are invited to find a variety of creatures hidden in colorful patterns that include cutouts and liftable flaps.

This book has simple text and fantastic illustrations. It has people of all ages challenging their eyes and mind to find the hidden animals! The book is great for engaging readers in a one on one setting. I recommend Spot It Again! to reluctant readers hoping that it will spark their interest in books.

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

 

Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of 

Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero 

by Marissa Moss

Summary: A story of a nineteen-year-old woman who disguised herself as a man to avoid an unwanted marriage and who distinguished herself as a male nurse during the Civil War, and later as a spy for the Union Army.

This is an amazing true story! This book is lengthy, and most ideal for older elementary students to read to themselves. I was impressed by the author’s and illustrator’s note on one of the last pages. A teacher could use this book to open a lesson on the civil war. Also, this story is great for reading aloud before a student research project on the civil war or women’s history.

Interest Level: grades k-6

Reading Level: grade 5

 

Before You Came 

by Patricia MacLachlan

Summary: A mother relates how she spent time before her child arrived.

The illustrations in this book are stunning and vibrant. There is flowery material behind almost every object. Additionally, the story is very sweet.         

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

 

Oh the Pets You Can Get

 by Tish Rabe

Summary: The Cat and Co. take off to the faraway land of Gerpletz where they know quite a lot about caring for pets—especially cats, dogs, guinea pigs, birds, and bunnies! From the food, shelter, exercise, and medical care they need to the love and companionship they crave, the Cat teaches beginning readers how to keep their pets (and themselves!) healthy, safe, and happy.

This is a cute beginning reader. It is especially useful to discuss the new arrival of a pet and as an introduction in how to care for it. I am not a huge fan of writers other than Dr. Seuss using The Cat in the Hat character. However, I doubt that young readers will notice the inferior writing skills Rabe has when compared to Dr. Seuss.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3

Scapegoat: The Story of a Goat Named Oat and a Chewed-up Coat 
by Dean Hale

Summary: Each time something goes wrong in the Choat household Jimmy blames the pet goat, Patsy Petunia Oat, who tries to tell the truth about Jimmy's misdeeds, but neither Mr. nor Mrs. Choat can understand her language.

This is a humorous story. It may be helpful in addressing wrongly placing the blame on someone either at home or in the classroom.

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

Science Fiction Reads for Grades 4-6

Monkey Truck

by Michael Slack

Summary: Monkey Truck races to the rescue anytime there is trouble in the jungle.

Though an unusual story, young children may enjoy it. If a young child like trucks and has an active imagination, he or she may appreciate this book.

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

Pet Shop Follies

by Mary Ann Fraser

Summary: No one is coming into the pet shop, so the animals, from the smallest hamster to the biggest dog, put on a show to attract customers.

Young children will find this book amusing. There is little text on each page which makes it a great choice for reading aloud to preschool children.

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

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

by Peter Sis

Summary; Annotated illustrations, maps, and dreamscapes explore how the artist-author's life was shaped while growing up in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War, in a powerful graphic memoir.

This biography is the winner of the American Library Association’s prestigious Sibert Informational Award. The story is very moving. The main text is simple, but the side notes are what make an impact on the reader. This is an excellent read for any talk on the Cold War and the importance of free speech.

Interest Level: grades 4-12
Reading Level: grade 5

Farmyard Beat

by Lindsey Craig

Summary: The sounds of the farm animals create a lively beat that keep Farmer Sue, the chicks, sheep, and other farm animals awake.

This is a humorous story. It is a great interactive read aloud. The reader can ask children to mimic the sounds throughout.

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

Mine!

by Shutta Crum

Summary: A young child does not want to share his toy with his baby sibling, but an encounter with the family dog teaches everyone the importance of sharing.

This book contains little text. The ending is absolutely adorable.

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

A Cat Like That

by Wendy Wahman

Summary: A cat presents the characteristics of a perfect human friend.

This is a sweet story that may be used to discuss proper pet etiquette.

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

MORE Summer Reading Theme 2011 You Are Here for grades 6-8

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