I've Got an Elephant 

by Anne Ginkel

Summary: Content with one elephant then pleased to have two, a girl begins having problems as her lonely pachyderms bring home more and more friends throughout this rhyming counting book.

This story in rhyme is bound to be seen as humorous by young children. Preschool age children will enjoy learning to count with this book. 

Interest level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2 

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

Amazing True Stories About Animals

Click on image for larger print

 

The Pirate of Kindergarten

The Pirate of Kindergarten

by George Ella Lyon

Summary: Ginny's eyes play tricks on her, making her see everything double, but when she goes to vision screening at school and discovers that not everyone sees this way, she learns that her double vision can be cured.

This story won the prestigious American Library Association (ALA) Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience in the ages 0 to 10 category. This book is presented in an entertaining manner, although its subject is serious. This is a stupendous book to read aloud for celebrating differences, discussing disabilities or discussing teasing.

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

Little Mouse Gets Ready

Little Mouse Gets Ready

by Jeff Smith

Summary: Little Mouse gets dressed to go to the barn with his mother, brothers, and sisters.

This easy reader graphic novel is winner of the prestigious American Library Association’s (ALA) Theodor Seuss Giesel award. It can be used to teach getting dressed with younger children. The book is worth reading for the humor at the very end!

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

Happy Valentine's Day: Picture books for students in preschool to third grade

Click on image for larger print

  

Penelope Popper, Book Doctor
by Toni Buzzeo

Summary: In all corners of the library, there are books that need care and Penelope immediately dedicates herself to learning how to mend them.

This book is great for introducing young children to school libraries and how to take care of library items. It is also appropriate to use this book for discussion on how everyone has a “niche,” and respecting other people’s interests.

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

If You Give a Dog a Donut

by Laura Numeroff

Summary: Chaos might ensue if you were to give a dog a donut.

From the author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and many other title’s beginning with “If you give a,” this story continues the formulaic format of the series. Parents may tire of the same premise, but young children enjoy consistency and predictability. The dog desires to do things that other lead animals in the “If you give a” series have not done.

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

Follow the Line to School

by Laura Ljungkvist

Summary: Children learn about a typical day at school as they follow simple line drawings through the school yard, up the steps, and into the building.

This book is most appropriate for preparing a child for kindergarten or on the first day of kindergarten. The text asks questions about the detailed illustrations. For example, it asks how many items are on the page or what color is on a paintbrush. For this reason, the book is great for reading one-on-one with a child who is well on his /her way to mastering such concepts as colors and counting.

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

Michael Hague's Family Christmas Treasury  

by Michael Hague

Summary: Includes stories, poems, and music associated with Christmas.

The beautiful classic illustrations work well with the traditional songs. I especially cared for the illustrations of rabbits and other animals. I found the note at the end of the note about the history of songs contained in the book fascinating. Older children may find the note interesting, also.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3 

Snowed Under and Other Christmas Confusions 

by Serge Bloch

Summary: A snow storm the day before Christmas causes a boy many worries, which are not helped by such confusing phrases as: "Don't be a wet blanket" and "That's the way the cookie crumbles."

This is a terrific book for discussing idioms and figures of speech. The story’s light humor makes it a fun read aloud whether it is used as a teaching tool or not. Children who enjoy this holiday treat may enjoy Michael Dahl’s Monster Street series, Tedd Arnold’s Parts series or Amelia Parrish’s Amelia Bedelia series. 

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 3

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

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

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 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

A Pet for Petunia 

by Paul Schmid

Summary: Petunia so desperately wants a pet skunk that she refuses to believe her parents when they say skunks stink.

This book is strange, but may be appreciated by young children. I was not especially fond of Petunia’s attitude, but children will find it humorous.

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

Cookiebot: A Harry and Horsie Adventure

by Katie Van Camp

Summary: When Harry and his best friend Horsie build a robot that can reach the cookie jar for them, it goes out of control and wreaks havoc around the city.

This book is great for pure entertainment. The story is sure to be enjoyed by children with a silly sense of humor.

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

Halloween Beginning Readers

Click on image for larger print



 

Too Many Frogs! 

by Ann and John Hassett

Summary: With rapidly increasing numbers of frogs coming out of her basement, Nana Quimby asks assorted neighborhood children for help, but finally it is up to her to come up with a solution.

This is a fun and silly book great for reading aloud. Children can practice adding increasingly larger numbers during this repetitive story. This book can also be used to discuss exaggeration and estimation. 

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

 

The Funny Little Woman 

by Arlene Mosel

Summary: While chasing a dumpling, a little lady is captured by wicked creatures from whom she escapes with the means of becoming the richest woman in Japan.

This book won the prestigious American Library Association’s Caldecott award for illustrations. The illustrations mostly use simple dull colors, but this allows for the funny little woman in bright red and orange to stick out. The story is a Japanese folktale that is wonderful for a multicultural unit lesson. 

Interest Level: grade k-3

Reading Level: grade 4