Good Night, Gorilla 

by Peggy Rathmann

Summary: When an unobservant zookeeper goes home locks up for the night, all the animals he thinks he has left behind in the zoo follow him home.

This adorable bed time story is available in different formats including board books and large sized. Caretakers may ask young children to identify all of the zoo animals as the book is read aloud.

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

 

The Wizard Mouse 

by Dean Morrissey

Summary: A field mouse travels far from his home and helps restore a wizard's magic; thus, saving the kingdom of Muddmoor.

This imaginative adventure is ideal for strong readers in primary school to read to themselves. The vibrant illustrations draw the reader deep into this fantasy. The story’s message of following one’s dreams and being true to oneself is truly inspiring and will captivate any young readers’ heart. 

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 4

Books with Native American Characters for grades 3-5

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Max's Castle 

by Kate Banks

Summary: When Max finds a box of long-forgotten toys, he builds a kingdom filled with adventures for himself and his two brothers.

This is a fun fantasy book that may be used to explore rhymes and compound words. When read one on one with young children, they may simply pick out the letters on the blocks. If an older child reads this book to his/herself, they may enjoy rearranging the letters on their own. This is the third book in a series.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

Limelight Larry

by Leigh Hodgkinson

Summary: A peacock called Limelight Larry wants to be the star of the book named for him. But soon other animals are cluttering the pages. When the star finally has his moment in the spotlight, what has happened to all his friends?

This is a comedic story about friendship, arrogance, and sharing. This book is best read one on one with a child who is experiencing difficulties in these character areas, but it is also a fun read aloud for primary age children. If a child is starting to get lost in the dialogue, he/she will be drawn back in by the beautiful spread of our peacock star.

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

11 Experiments That Failed

 by Jenny Offill

Summary: A young child tries a series of wacky experiments, such as seeing if a piece of bologna will fly like a frisbee and determining whether seedlings will grow if watered with expensive perfume, and then must suffer the consequences of experiments gone awry.

This story is hysterically funny. This book would be an excellent read aloud before a science fair. A teacher could discuss with students what is an appropriate science project and what is not in a humorous manner.

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

The Basket Ball

 by Esme Raji Codell

Summary: After the boys won't let her join in their basketball game, Lulu decides to host a Basket Ball, where girls from all over come to participate and, with Lulu as captain, end up forming a special team.

This is fantastic book for discussing gender roles. I admire Lulu’s personality. I am happy that authors, such as Codell, have recently tackled stereotypical gender roles by showing that some girls and boys like a little bit of “girlish” AND “boyish” activities. As a child, I felt we were taught that some girls do boyish things and some girls do boyish things. Teachers told us that this is okay and we were to accept that. No one discussed that a girl, like Lulu, can be a basketball star and enjoy sequins. This story is in rhyme with many cute puns and is an ideal read aloud. However, I do not recommend reading this book to very young children because of the text’s advanced basketball vocabulary. There is a glossary at the end of the book with such terms that may be helpful to elementary children that read this book independently.

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

Oprah: The Little Speaker

by Carole Boston Weatherford

Summary: Documents the disadvantaged but loving preschool and elementary school years of the Emmy-winning talk-show host, describing how as a toddler she performed in churches before adoring crowds and spent time on the family farm.

This book is a short biography with fairly simple language. It is appropriate for discussing the will to succeed and overcoming hardships. The story addresses Christian beliefs; therefore, a reader should asses if it is appropriate to share this book with his/her audience before doing so.

Interest Level: grades K-3

Reading Level: grade 4

The Game of Mix-up Art

by Hervé Tullet

Summary: Presents colorful paintings on split pages to allow young readers to mix up the pictures to make new artistic creations.

This book contains pages that are cut. Hence, the illustrations on each page can be changed when parts of the pages are turned. I did not especially care for this book, but I suppose it may be valuable in developing an interest of books in young children.

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Happy Islamic New Year: Books on Muslim celebrations

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Baby Animal Pets 

 by Kingfisher Publishing

Summary: From the guinea pig hiding in his hay, to the smiling puppy, the fluffy kitten, the fledgling parrots, the hamster, rabbit, and the teetering foal, young readers will see a whole new side of these favorite animal companions.

I love this book! The photographs of animals are adorable. Young children who like animals are sure to enjoy this book.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 1

I Like Vegetables

by Lorena Siminovich

Summary: An introduction to several different vegetables and also to the concept of opposites.

This is a super board book to share with very young children. There are one or two words on each page; a child does not need to have a large attention span in order to enjoy this book. The textured illustrations make this book ideal for any child who likes to hold books or touch the pages. For preschool age children, this book is great to introduce the concept of opposites.

Interest Level: age 0-4

Reading Level: grade 1

Learning to Swim 

 by Clare Chambers

Summary: Abigail’s safe, middle-class home life is thrown into dramatic relief as her friendship with Frances’s family gives her a new outlook.

I read this coming of age love story when I was a young teen. My friend returned from Germany with a stopover in the UK. She purchased this book and demanded that we all read her copy. The book is still a little hard to find in the US, but is well worth the effort of ordering online. Though told in decades past, this realistic story is relatable to today’s teens. The romance, drama, and self-reflection in this story are enjoyable and appropriate for young adults.

Interest Level: young adult

Reading Level: young adult

Mini Racer 

by Kristin Dempsey

Summary: Animals in a variety of fanciful vehicles, including a snail on a skateboard and rabbits in a carrot-car, race over a difficult course with a suspenseful and surprising outcome.

This exciting story is a twist on the Tortoise and the Hare tale. The humorous and rhythmic text makes this book a great read aloud.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

 Naamah and the Ark at Night 

by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Summary: Rhyming text tells of Naamah, a wife of Noah, who sings to her husband, her sons and their wives, and to the animals to sleep at night.

At first, I was hesitant to read what appeared to be a fractured bible story. However, this is a great bedtime story with beautiful nighttime illustrations. I liked the author’s sweet nostalgic note in the back that she used to play Noah’s Ark as a child, and wondered about Noah’s wife. The story does not change the story of Noah, but a story of what could have happened during the storm.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

Who Has These Feet?

by Laura Hulbert

Summary: Looks at the feet of nine different types of animals and how they are adapted to help their owners survive in their environments.

This is an informational book that is highly suitable for reading aloud to classes, and having the children guess the adaptation.

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

Native American Biographies

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Happy Hippo, Angry Duck: A Book of Moods

by Sandra Boynton

Summary: Poses questions to the reader on the state of their mood based on animal emotions, from happy as a hippo to worried as a rabbit and contented as a frog.

This is a cute book for discussing emotions. The message is that everyone feels all emotions at some point except for angry duck.

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

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

by Langston Hughes

Summary: Artist E.B. Lewis acts as interpreter and visionary, using watercolor to pay tribute to Hughes's timeless poem.

Lewis won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor award, a prestigious American Library Association Award, for this book. The vivid watercolor illustrations accompany the previously written text beautifully. One could have a long discussion about the text. This is an excellent for celebrating Black History Month.

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

Skulduggery Pleasant

by Derek Landy

Summary: When twelve-year-old Stephanie inherits her weird uncle's estate, she must join forces with Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton mage, to save the world from the Faceless Ones.

This is a strange, far-fetched, fabulous fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed Skulduggery’s dry sense of humor and bitter sarcasm. I admire Stephanie, who is a strong, stubborn, young female. I look forward to continuing this series.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Go! Go! Bo Bo Colors

by Simon Basher

Summary: Little Bobo bounces from his bed through a series of bright items demonstrating basic colors.

This is a pretty good book considering its simplicity. The text is limited to the name of a color on each page.



The Hole in the Middle

by Paul Budnitz

Summary: Morgan was born with a big hole through his middle that gives him a strange, empty feeling all of the time, but when his good friend Yumi becomes ill, he finds that helping her makes him feel whole.

This is a little too strange for my taste. I did not especially like that Morgan did not feel full trying everyday activities but only with his friend. The author may have intended for this to represent helping others, but it is unclear, and the boy seems a little co-dependent. Still, the idea of not being able to fill a hole inside of oneself with food is worth discussing. The hole in Morgan’s stomach is clearly a metaphor for emotional emptiness. One could use this to discuss finding satisfaction in life and that emotional eating will not solve problems.

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

10 Turkeys in the Road

 by Brenda Reeves Sturgis

Summary: Ten turkeys performing circus acts block a country road, much to the frustration of an angry farmer in a pick-up truck who tries to shoo them away.

This is a humorous tale that is excellent for practicing counting with a young child. A primary grade teacher might read this aloud before Thanksgiving.

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

Native American Picture Books

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What if Everything Had Legs?

by Scott Menchin

Summary: Feeling too tired to walk the rest of the way home, a little girl wonders why the house cannot have legs to come to her and her mother, and then she imagines what else would change if everything had legs.

This is a humorous story that is great simply for entertainment. Children can use their own imaginations to think of obscure concepts, such as what would happen if various inanimate objects had arms.

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

The Hidden Alphabet

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Summary: An alphabet book in which windows open to reveal the letters hidden within each picture

This is a unique alphabet book. Lifting the flaps makes the book exciting for active listeners.

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

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-tale of Mystery

by Deborah Howe

Summary: Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

This is a humorous tale with a ridiculous, though enjoyable, plot. I have recommended this book to older readers on a low reading level. They have told me that they enjoyed it. There are several other Bunnicula books to try if you like this first told tale.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: Grade 5

Apple Pie ABC

by Alison Murray

Summary: A story about a girl baking an apple pie and a puppy observing the activities teaches the letters of the alphabet.

This a cute book that approaches teaching letters of the alphabet in way I have not seen before. The text includes large letters, a to z, in order. Underneath the large letter is a word or phrase that begins with that letter (except x, that is the second letter in the word). The words and phrases tell a story starring a dog who looks a lot like Charles M. Schulz’s Snoopy, whom I love; but I wish the illustrator was more creative in depicting this character.

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



The Big Test

by Julie Danneberg

Summary: Mrs. Hartwell is concerned that preparing her students to take the Big Test is only making them nervous, and so she thinks of a way to help them relax.

This is an excellent story to read aloud before children take a state test. This book addresses a very important matter: it is just as important to relax and mentally prepare for a test as it is to study.

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

My People
by Langston Hughes

Summary: Langston Hughes’ spare yet eloquent tribute to his people has been cherished for generations. Now, acclaimed photographer Charles R. Smith Jr. interprets this beloved poem in sepia photographs that capture the glory, the beauty, and the soul of being a black American today.

The illustrations in this book accompany the previously written text very well. This is an excellent share for Black History Month.

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