Great books for young readers

If you know someone who is just beginning to read, or perhaps ready to read to you, but just something easy, please, then grab some of these great new books.


Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold
This is the latest of five books about Fly Guy and his boy 'Buzz' and it is so much fun to read. Lots of repeated words and phrases will allow new readers to practice, repeat and remember. All of the stories are perfect for the pickiest of new readers ... little boys.






Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Rain or Shine by Eric Silverman
And here is the fourth book in this Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa sereis that is especially for girls who love horses. Kate and her horse Cocoa have all kinds of adventures together. The vocabulary in this book is more complex and there are a lot more words per page than any other of the titles selected here. Count on using this for young readers who are reading fairly well but are not wanted to tackle really long books just yet.






Goose and Duck by Jean Craighead George
Jean Craighead George is a fabulous writer. She writes nature stories, about arctic animals and people who live in the cold northern climes. I love her book about her childhood, Tarantula in My Purse, which certainly is not for new readers. It would be a great read aloud.
I digress. Goose and Duck covers, in very simple text, the imprinting process that occurs when birds hatch and believe that a person is really their bird mother. Harper Collins (the publisher of "I Can Read" books) rates this 'High interest stories for developing readers' who are 'reading with help.'



Fancy Nancy and the Boy From Paris by Jane O'Connor
I love the big Fancy Nancy picture books, so I was delighted to find these new readers. Fancy Nancy is the girliest of girls; she like fancy things, ribbons, bows, pink everywhere. You will want to read all the Fancy Nancy stories if you have a girl like her in your house.
In this wonderfully funny story, there is a new boy in her class and he is from Paris. Fancy Nancy LOVES everything French, and she makes friends with this new boy. I will not tell you anything else - you just have to read it!
This is another Harper Collins book, "Simple sentences for eager new readers" is their designation for this level one reader. Fancy Nancy does like to use big, new, and sometimes French words, so your new reader will need help. There are prounounciation helps and definitions at the end of the book.


Mr. Putter & Tabby Run the Race by Cynthia Rylant
Cynthia Rylant has written many, many books and has several different series in the reader area. I have really enjoyed the Mr. Putter & Tabby series and there are over 17 written so far. My favorite so far is Mr. Putter & Tabby Write the Book. Anyway, the stories feature a senior citizen and his cat. Unlikely combo for a young reader, perhaps, but the stories are varied and interesting.
These stories are rated as books for 1st through 3rd grade, so are meant for children who are reading with little help.

Picture books with true stories in them ...

Stormy's Hat: Just Right for a Railroad Man by Eric A. Kimmel


Goerge "Stormy" Kromer was an engineer during the days the trainmen wore derbies or fedoras. But these hats blew off time and again. Stormy described hat ideas to his wife, who created the hat that railroad workers wear today.

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks by Anne Broyles

This is a remarkable book based on a true story and I hesitate to try and describe it. Priscilla is a slave girl, owned first by whites then by Cherokee. When the Cherokee's were forced to leave the East, Priscilla went to. As the family walked through a town in Illinois, someone from Priscilla's past recognized her. This kind man bought her from the Cherokee, set her free and he and his wife adopted her into their large family. Hollyhocks are the flowers Priscilla's mother always planted, and Priscilla always took hollyhock seeds with her to plant again, as a way to bring a sense of her own mother and home with her wherever she went.

A Very Improbable Story by Edward Einhorn

I usually am not crazy about picture books with math in them. Many are so forced. Blah! But this stort of probability also has a quirky storybook element to it that makes it fun - Ethan wakes up with a cat on his head. The cat will not go away until Ethan wins a game. The reader gets a gentle, gradual explanation of how odds work.

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway

If you have not heard how micro-loans are changing the world, a little at a time, this is a great book to read. This story takes place in Africa, where a young boy borrows a little money to buy a hen. The hen lays eggs, the boy sells the eggs, buys more hens. More eggs, and now he can afford to go to school. He earns a scholarship, goes to agricultural school and then comes home to become a farmer, employing his neighbors, improving the lives of everyone; children have enough to eat and be able to go to school. The author gives more information about micro-loans in the back of the book.

Phillis's Big Test by Catherine Clinton

Phillis Wheatley published a book of poetry in Boston in 1773. The year before she had to go before a board of over a dozen men and be questioned - they did not believe a slave could write such poetry.

Great story, and it is again based on a true story.

Arabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar by Clare Jarrett

This is a great way to introduce little ones to how caterpillars undergo metamorphosis and become butterflies. Nice story of little girl feeding the caterpillar, and seeing the butterfly fly away. Author also gives information on the process in the back of the book

Picture books for fun, for toddlers and for great art

In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck

This bedtime story features a sleepy girl that wants to sleep in a blue room. But the room is not blue. She wants a blue blanket, some blue tea, but nothing is blue. What to do, what to do? And then mama turns off the light. The room, the blanket, the tea and flowers - all are now blue. The book has such a soft, quiet feel to it that it is bound to be a good bedtime story again and again.





Bear's Picture by Daniel Pinkwater (new illustrations by D. B. Johnson)

Pick this book for the illustrations, then read it again for the story. The illustrator has other fabulous books, notably Henry Hikes to Fitchburg. In this story, the bear is painting what he likes and two men come along and tell him he cannot paint, and then criticize his painting. The men disappear into the stream in the painting, the bear is happy with his painting, the book itself is turned and we see a stylized painting of ... the bear himself!




Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Jane Cabrera



Everyone knows the song. Now sing along and enjoy the colorful, luscious pictures by Jane Cabrera. I plan on using this for story time and toddler time, too!

My Baby & Me by Lynn Reiser

Here is another great book for little folks. Four sets of siblings talk, play and do loving things together. The cover does not show the beautiful children of color who are included. Rhyming text is simple and very child centered.








Mommy Do You Love Me? by Jeanne Willis

Mommy hen and little chick love each other. This story goes beyond 'love you, love you, love you' to showing that even when mommy is mad, she still loves little chick. And mommy and little chick are able to talk about that - a great way to bring the topic up with little ones who are struggling with understaning complex human emotions.







Ma! There's Nothing to Do Here! by Barbara Park
Have you heard of the book series Junie B. Jones? Well, here is her very humorous picture book inspired by the ultrasound of her grandson. This in utero baby can think of lots of thing children would like to do, and complains about not having anything to do while in the womb.






Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett

I love this simple story and plan on using it for story time real soon. The text is simple, repititious and then the reader will turn the page to see the animals that the little girl and her monkey went to see. You will definitely want to read the other books by this author/illustrator: Meerkat Mail; Orange Pear Apple Bear; and the almost scary story, Wolves.

What Pet to Get? by Emma Dodd

Big bold pictures and absolutely ridiculous pet choices make this a fun book to read. Mom does not just say no to her son, but suggests a pet elephant might squish the car, a lion might scare the mailman and sadly, T. rexes are extinct.

Guess What I Found in Dragon Wood by Timothy Knapman

No, this is not a story about finding a dragon. This is a story about a dragon finding a boy, a 'Benjamin' that he takes to school. But the Benjamin is homesick, so the dragon takes him home. Great story for dragon lovers of all ages.

Come Fly with Me by Satomi Ichikawa

You travel to Paris with this author/illustrator, in every book she writes. In this book, two toys take a trip together. After all, "The best part of going Somewhere is sharing it with friends."

La La Rose is one of my favorite stories with a lost toy rabbit who eventually finds his girl. And again, you get to visit Paris.

Longer picture books for older children

Help Me, Mr. Mutt! Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

This is a complex story about dogs with people problems, and cat problems, too. Mr. Mutt writes back his advice to each problem, and so does the cat. Great for school age and older.

Look for other books by this sister team. One of my favorites is The Great Fuzz Frenzy which features prairie dogs and a tennis ball.



Speaking of prairie dogs, Danny Diamondback by Barry Jackson is an unlikely story about a rattlesnake who ends up protecting, not eating, the little rodents. And that rattle? Why it helped him land a gig with a band.







How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
This is a more serious story, and is based on the author's own experiences. He was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1935. His family fled to Turkestan and this book is the story of part of that time. The author gives us enough information to make you want to read the book again, this time looking at all the pictures a bit differently.


Add The Journey that Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margaret and H. A. Rey for another, longer look at author/illustrators and WWII.

More books, just for fun

Baby Brains and Robomom by Simon James

I love Baby Brains! In his latest escapade he creates a Robomon to help his mother get all the household choirs done. Then Robomom takes over taking care of Baby Brains. This is too much for Robomom and she starts making bigger and bigger mistakes, like hanging Baby Brains up on the laundry line to dry. Baby Brains wants his mommy!

Do get the other Baby Brains books!



The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems


Have you read the other pigeon books by Mo Willems? Start with Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! a great story that needs children to say 'no!' over and over again as the pigeon begs the reader to let him drive the bus. In this newest book, Pigeon wants a puppy ... until he gets one.





Speaking of puppies, try Cynthia Rylant's latest, Puppies and Piggies with cheery illustrations by Ivan Bates. This is a sweet tale of animals and what they like to do, and baby, too.






The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill
This is a book I have been reading to other adults. It is silly and absurd, and has a surprise ending that will make you laugh. The goofy pictures are perfect!








Mary Had a Little Lamp by Jack Lechner
Clearly, this is not a serious book, either. Half the fun is kids knowing what the book is spoofing. Make sure to read the 'critics reviews' that are featured on the back cover for even more fun.










Sergio Makes a Splash! by Edel Rodriguez
Sergio the penguin loves the water. But not deep water. Sergio does learn to face his fears, and maybe we can all learn from Sergio.









What Shall We Do with the Boo-Hoo Baby? by Cressida Cowell



I had to add this fun to read book when I read the next, really new book. In this book, all the animals are trying to take care of the crying. The baby cries and cries. Make sure YOU Boo-Hoo as you read the story.


What Do We Do with the Baby? by Rick Walton
And this sweet little story is all pastels, love and light - hold the baby, hug the baby, squeeze the baby, kiss the baby. The illustrations are adorable and done in a way that makes it easy to see the bunny baby of the story as a real baby - but cuter!








Apples & Oranges: going bananas with pairs by Sara Pinto

This silly book has two similar objects, asks the reader how they are alike, and it is obvious, and then gives a silly answer. "How are an apple and orange alike?" Turn the page and ... "They both don't wear glasses."

Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and other things not to do) by Judi Barrett

From the author who brought us Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs comes this also quite silly book that uses illustrations to
demonstrate the "why not" factor.

Uh-oh! by Rachel Isadora
Gorgeous illustrations show the child, simple text like, "Clean clothes" and then turn the page and the same child has made a mess. The text on the messy page? "Uh-oh!" This would be fun to read to any little one who is learning to talk, and toddlers, too.

Oh, Brother! by Nikki Grimes
This is a very unusual picture book. Stepbrothers are now having to learn to live with each other. The struggles are represented as poems. Mike Benny's illustrations add tremendously to the feel of the book.
And this book does have a happy ending; the stepbrothers do learn to
care about each other.

Papa and Me by Arthur Dorrow
I'll keep looking for easy ways to get that accent mark. In the meantime, revel in the beauty of both the illustrations and the lyrical language AND the bits of Spanish language all stirred into this beautiful father and son story. The illustrations draw me back again and again.
Delicious!

Bow-wow Bugs a Bug by Mark Newgarden
This wordless book is for bug lovers. If bugs creep you out, skip this. Without words, the 'reader' has to really look around the page to see what is happening, or about to happen. School age children will get the most pleasure from this book; preschoolers may have trouble understanding the humor.

Hogwash by Arthur Geisert
Another wordless book with a complicated story-line, school age kids will be studying the pictures to catch the nuances of the story and the zany machines for hogwashing.

DO get his other books ... wordless and wonderful.

Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman
Take a short trip to Paris, in this story with very simple text. Enjoy the 'tourist' information included in the back of the book.

Fancy Nancy - Bonjour, Butterfly by Jane O'Connor
If you have not read any Fancy Nancy yet, you better start soon! Even little boys are intrigued by this girl who dresses everything up, makes every day a fancy day and has days when things just do not work out the way she wanted. In this book, Fancy Nancy is using her fancy French words, which she helps us with. I love all the Fancy Nancy books, but this one ... I went out and bought!

Add Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words from Accessories to Zany for a fabulous alphabetic vocabulary book.

Tales and stories from other cultures

Here are some delightful stories, all brand new:
The Birthday Tree by Paul Fleischman
A sailor and his wife flee to a green valley, far away from the sea that took the lives of their three boys. A boy is born, they name him Jack and plant an apple tree in his honor. Over the years, a bond seems to develop between Jack and his tree. When Jack leaves for the sea, a gull perches on the tree. In the fall, the tree is full of apples, and the sailor and his wife take this as a sign that Jack is happy. Jack does make it home again, though parents are concerned at times.

This book reads as if it was the retelling of a long established tale, and despite the moments of danger, there is a sense of comfort and peace when the story is completed. The illustrations are perfect, with many sketches of the tree.

The Apple-pip Princess by Jane Ray
This original fairy tale feels like you almost know the story. Two selfish sisters and one simple, younger sister are given a task by their father, the king. The younger daughter is the one who brings beauty back to the land, and the older sisters join her. Everyone is together at the end of the story. The author's illustrations add a far-away sense to the book that feels just right. I can imagine reading this over and over again at bedtime to a little nature girl.

And now a few books from other lands ...

The Butter Man by Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou

Come to Morocco and hear a story of a time of hunger, when there was not enough couscous or bread, and no butter at all. Ali went out to wait every day, with a tiny piece of bread, for the butter man. Eventually his father returns, with plenty of food.

This is based on a family story and the author's add more information about the region in the back of the book. A small glossary gives meanings and pronounciations of words.

The illustrator, Julie Klear Essakalli, lives in Morocco and brings us all the details that one would see everyday if we would spend some time in Morocco.

Running Shoes by Frederick Lipp

Travel now, to Cambodia, where Sophy secretly wishes for a pair of running shoes. The census man sends her a pair of shoes when he understands her awe over his own shoes. Now her feet will be protected and she can run to school, eight kilometers away. She is the only girl in school, and wants to become a teacher, someday, for her own village.

The author's book, The Caged Birds of Phnom Penh, is another great book to read and peek into another country's culture.

How Mama Brought the Spring by Fran Manushkin
This story within a story is set in Minsk, Belarus, and is a family story of a terribly long and cold winter. Rosy had enough of winter. Mama began singing so that even Rosy, all wrapped up in her blanket, had to get up to see what was going on. Mama was making something special to eat. Mama, Papa and Rosy sat down to eat the warm, delicious blintzes. As they ate, they grew warmer. Sweaters came off, the ice on the stream melted, the snow melted and spring came to Minsk.
The family recipe for blintzes is included in the back of the book!




Enjoy these tasty stories!

Melody

Books for fun!

And now, just for fun ...
The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers

A boy finds an airplane in his closet. He does not remember leaving it there, but decides to go flying anyway. He flew higher and higher until he landed on the moon.

A Martian crashes with a bump on the moon. Now neither is alone and they both realized that the other was in trouble, too. The two work together to solve their problems.

The text is brief, the illustrations simple, and the story is delightful.

Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis

This sparsley illustrated, simple text story gives the reader all kinds of ideas on what can be done with a stick. Very, very short read.



Make sure you also get Not a Box and have some big boxes on hand for imaginative play that will follow.