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

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

Hunky Dory Ate It 

by Katie Evans

Summary: Spunky Hunky Dory tries to eat everything in sight and winds up a sick puppy at the vet's.

This is a humorous story in rhyme that is sure to be enjoyed by young children. This book reminds me of the Marley series, although, it was published long before those books.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

(Cover image not available)

Little Mist

Little Mist

by Angela McAllister

Summary: Little Mist, a young snow leopard, is filled with wonder when his mother introduces him to the world for the first time.

This magnificently illustrated story is touching, especially the last few pages. A parent may choose to read this with his/her child and discuss how they feel the same way as the snow leopard mother.

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

Ruby in Her Own Time 

by Jonathan Emmett

Summary: Ruby, the last of Mother Duck's and Father Duck's eggs to hatch, is slower to develop than her four siblings, until the day that she flies further and higher than any of them.

This is a sweet story about self-perception. I liked that the parents are concerned for Ruby, but also have faith in her. This is a great story to read to a child who is behind his/her peers, or to classmates who may tease such a child.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2 

Ellen’s Broom

by Kelly Lyons

Summary: Cherishing the special broom resting above her hearth for its representation of the slave heritage that once forbade legal marriages, Ellen prepares for her parents' triumphant registry at a Reconstruction-era courthouse as lawful husband and wife and proudly carries the broom so that they can repeat a cultural wedding tradition.

This is a historical fiction story. It is lengthy, but an excellent resource for discussing slavery and human rights. This is an ideal read at this time because it is Black History Month.

Interest Level: grades k-6

Reading Level: grade 3



Ten Hungry Rabbits: Counting and Color Concepts

by Anita Lobel

Summary: Ten little rabbits are hungry for supper but Mama Rabbit has nothing to put in her soup pot, so Papa sends them to the garden where they discover increasing numbers of foods in many different colors.

This is a cute concept book. It is great for learning colors. However, it is not especially effective in learning numbers, because it is not always clear which items are meant to be counted.

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

Waiting for the Magic
by Patricia MacLachlan

Summary: When Papa goes away for a little while, his family tries to cope with the separation by adopting four dogs and a cat.          

This chapter book will be most enjoyed by advance primary school readers. It may be enjoyed by older elementary school students, especially those who love cats and dogs.

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

How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter Inside a Tiny Blue Box 

by Linda Heller    

Summary: After learning about the Jewish tradition of tzedakah boxes, Dalia shares her knowledge with her younger brother, Yossi, by telling him what her savings can help to provide for someone in need.

This is a sweet story that is great for discussing helping others. It is also appropriate to use this book as part of a unit lesson on world traditions.

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 3

 

Goldilicious 

by Victoria Kann

Summary: A little girl and her brother play with her imaginary gold-horned unicorn that can float on water, fly, and turn herself into a fairy princess.                           

This book is one of the sequels to the very popular book, Pinkalicious. The story is not particularly noteworthy, but it will be enjoyed by fans of the series.

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

Big Little Brother

by Kevin Kling

Summary: A four-year-old boy explains that his little brother is bigger than he is, follows him everywhere, and is annoying, but his presence becomes indispensable when bullies are around.

This is a sweet story about sibling rivalry and love. Self-perception, specifically size-perception, is effectively addressed in this story.

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

Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus

by John Grandits

Summary: Before Kyle rides a school bus for the first time, his older brother gives him a list of rules he must follow, but after breaking every single one the first day, Kyle discovers the rule his brother left out. (Catchy summary!)

This is a humorous read for parents to share with children who are having school anxiety. This book is not ideal for reading aloud because of its length and occasional use of crude words.

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

Home for Christmas by Jan Brett

Summary: Rollo the troll is tired of chores, but after spending time on the tundra with various animal families, from owls to moose, he realizes that he wants to be home for Christmas even if that means behaving himself.

This is a cute story about appreciating what one has in life, including family. It is also a great story for discussing selfishness or helping others. I liked that the reader must draw some conclusions for themselves from Jan Brett’s usual beautiful illustrations. Especially when read one-on-one to a child, the illustrations can make the book very interactive. A reader can ask questions such as, “What do you see here? What do you think that means? Why do you think is happening in the picture?”

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3

One Starry Night 

by Lauren Thompson

Summary: As all sorts of animals watch over their young, Mary and Joseph watch over their baby boy, Jesus, in Bethlehem.

This is a wonderful bedtime story, especially during the Christmas season and for celebrating a mother’s love for her offspring. The illustrations of animal and human characters are fantastic; they have pointed features and are heavily outlined in black. Though not a tradition prayer, this rhyming text ends with “amen.”

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

A Christmas Spider's Miracle 

by Trinka Hakes Noble

Summary: A poor peasant woman who has no money for gifts or a special meal for her children gets help from a kindly mother spider on Christmas.

This is a heart-warming old Ukrainian tale. The traditionally beautiful paintings compliment the text. The story is somewhat lengthy. I recommend that this book be read one-on-one to a child or independently by an advanced reader.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 5

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Summary: Two children in a small southern town in the l930s are thrust into an adult world of racial bigotry and hatred when their lawyer father chooses to defend a black man charged with raping a white girl.

This book is one of the most frequently banned books of the 20^th century; therefore, it is an excellent book. There is mature content and the story allows for much discussion. However, I do not think it is inappropriate for a secondary education student to read.  I read this story for pleasure in tenth grade. I was very sensitive at that age in comparison to my classmates, but thoroughly enjoyed this book. Honestly, I found other books we discussed in my English class that year much more disturbing. I recommend this story to anyone interested in reading classic literature or understanding the time period in which the book takes place.

Interest Level: young adult

Reading Level: young adult

Itsy-bitsy Babies 

by Margaret Wild

Summary: Rhyming text describes a variety of things babies love to do, including playing peek-a-boo, clapping, and banging a drum.

This is a very cute book. When read aloud, the reader may engage listeners by encouraging them to copy the behaviors of the babies in the story. This book may be helpful to prepare children for the birth of a new sibling. 

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

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

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

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