Published: 2010
Theme: Friendship
Best for: 5 – 8

“Bink,”said Gollie, “the brightness of those socks pains me. I beg you not to purchase them.” “I love socks,” said Bink. “Some socks are more lovable than others,” said Gollie.” This quirky and fun book is a perfect easy reader. It moves fast, has funny lines, and great pictures…

Published: 2001
Theme: Valuing Grandparents
Best for: 6 – 9

“Next Wednesday is Grandparents Day.” Calliope dumped all her candy on the table. “And I don’t have any grandparents to bring.” I love this children’s book, because it addresses the precious relationship between grandchildren and grandparents. It reminds us to cherish our past…

Published: 1998
Theme: Loyalty and Courage
Best for: Boys 6 and up

“He had promised Joseph he’d protect him. But he didn’t. They were best friends. Best friends were supposed to stick together. Even if it meant being called names…Even if it ruined the sport you loved more than anything in the world. Even then.” This first chapter book delighted me from beginning to end. It places the dilemma of friendship front and center…

Published: 2013
Theme: Give and Take
Best for: 5 and up, new readers

“Maggie said, “Let’s go for a ride, Bramble!” Bramble knew about rides. The rider sat in the saddle. The horse did all the hard work.” From the opening line of this little “first chapter book,” I loved it. I’ve been on the lookout for early reader children’s books since I began this website, hoping to help the younger struggling readers…

Published: 1938
Theme: Dream Big
Best for: all ages

“Mr. Popper soon found it was not so easy to take a penguin for a stroll. He tied one end of the clothesline to the penguin’s fat throat, and the other to his own wrist.” Here’s a delightful, simple, amusing book with nothing possibly true in it. Purely entertaining, with some sweet morals at the end..

Published: 2013
Theme: Daily Life
Best for: 6 and up

“You can’t pick flowers in the park. They’re for everyone who lives here to enjoy.!” “I live here,” said Amelia Bedelia. “So does my mom. I picked these for her.” For children struggling with the English language, especially if they are second language learners, words can be confusing. And no one demonstrates this better than Amelia…

Published: 1958
Theme: Coping with Circumstances
Best for: age 5 and up

“You know, Henry,” said Mrs. Brown as they watched Paddington go up the stairs to bed, looking rather sticky and more than a little sleepy, “it’s nice having a bear about the house.” This is a real chapter book, perfect for young readers who have just learned to read, with a few choice illustrations to keep it moving.