The Neat Line: Scribbling Through Mother Goose 

by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Summary: A young scribble matures into a neat line, then wriggles into a book of nursery rhymes where he transforms himself into different objects to assist the characters he meets there.

I love fractured fairy tales, and this book seems to be part of a new trend of fractured nursery rhymes. This story is a series of neat twists on old, well-known nursery rhymes strung together by a scribble. This is an excellent class read aloud that students will find humorous.  

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

by Candace Fleming

Summary: After planting the garden he has dreamed of for years, Mr. McGreely tries to find a way to keep some persistent bunnies from eating all his vegetables.

This repetitive story is excellent for actively engaging children in a read aloud. The reader may ask children questions such as “What do you think will happen next?” The story is somewhat repetitive and predictable, which is ideal for involving young children and developing an interest in literature.

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

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

  

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

Kitten's Winter

by Eugenie Fernandes

Summary: A young kitten explores the woods on a cold winter day as other animals shelter from the weather or engage in their usual seasonal activities.

This story in rhyme is a wonderful read aloud. I love the illustrator’s use of collage. The story is appropriate for use as an introduction to lessons on hibernation, winter, or seasons in general.

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

Goodnight iPad: A Parody for the Next Generation 

by Ann Droyd

Summary: A bedtime story for bidding electronic gadgets goodnight, from the Blackberry and the Nooks to the iPad and the MP3s.      

This is a humorous parody of Goodnight Moon, a classic bedtime story. Young children to adults will enjoy this book.  I enjoyed the last page the most.      

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 6
Reading Level: grade 4

What Animals Really Like: A New Song Composed and Conducted by Mr. Herbert

by Fiona Robinson

Summary: When the National Animal Chorus gathers to perform the immortal works of Mr. Herbert Timberteeth, the performance doesn't go exactly as planned due to certain preconceived notions of what animals like to do.

This is a silly and humorous tale that could be used to discuss a serious subject matter, stereotyping. The message is that people do not always like what you think they would like. The book has “song lyrics” amongst the text, but does not provide a melody. Nevertheless, a reader could read this book aloud in a sing-song voice or create a melody. This story could be made into a very interactive read aloud by asking children questions throughout the book, such as, “What do you think these animals like?” A great follow-up activity is to ask children to imagine what other animals not mentioned in the story may like. They may use their imaginations to draw a picture and or write about animals’ talents.

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

Solomon Crocodile

by Catherine Rayner

Summary: Solomon Crocodile's rough play prevents him from making friends down by the river until a stranger comes stomping through the reeds!

The illustrations in this book are appealing, especially the sparkles on the cover and blotches on the animals within the story. This alone may hold a child’s attention during this short book. However, the storyline is a bit overdone.

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

Ready, Set, 100th Day! 

by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Summary: Minna's family pitches in to help her come up with the perfect project for the hundredth day of school, from twenty sets of five sticks to two sets of fifty pieces of pasta.

This book is a neat concept book for primary grade children. Students may practice counting by intervals with this text. I still remember my 100^th day of school celebrations in first and second grade. Teachers, use this book on your 100^th day of school to teach skills in a fun way!

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 2

Thank You, Miss Doover

by Robin Pulver

Summary: Jack learns the value of revision as he practices Miss Doover's lesson on how to write a proper thank-you note.

This is an amusing story. Before a teacher first requires children to write several drafts, this book would be an excellent read aloud.

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

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

Strega Nona's Gift 

by Tomie dePaola

Summary: Smelling the treats Strega Nona is cooking for her animals for the holidays, Big Anthony can't resist and samples everything, bringing about unexpected consequences.

This is a wonderful tale about generosity. Italian Christmas traditions and other holiday traditions are explored throughout this book. As a read aloud, this book is most appropriate for older primary school children. 

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 4

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

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

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

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

Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers

by Dianna Hutts Aston

Summary: In Watts, California, over a period of many years, a man known to all as Uncle Sam spends his free time collecting broken bits of pottery, glass, and other scraps and turning them into a work of art.

This biography, told as a story, is an ideal read aloud. Uncle Sam’s life and accomplishments are interesting. The collage illustrations were appropriate, although I would have liked to see more photographs of his real work. This book may be used to discuss following one’s heart and dreams.

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