These simpler books are a transition to independent reading for first and second grade readers.
Published: 2019 Theme: Fairness Best for: 5 to 8 "Even if there is no trophy involved, I love winning. I am not a sore winner, no matter what Anna the Annoying says. I am the opposite of sore. I am a feel-great winner." A fun second-grade excursion into alphabetic order, fairness, envy, and creativity.
Published: 2013 Theme: Easy Reader Best for: 5 to 8 Mole took up the oars. "Just this once, I'll try," he said, and he began to row. An easy reader version of the classic Wind in the Willows, done with care and beauty. What a great idea.
Published: 2002 Theme: Storytelling Best for: 6 to 9 "The class stared at the new girl with admiration. They had never met anyone like Gooney Bird Greene...Her clothes were unusual. Her hairstyles were unusual. Even her lunches were very unusual." This fun first-chapter book explores how easy it is to tell a good story, with imagination.
Published: 2016 Theme: Community Activism Best for: 7 to 9 "I know, I know. I'm giving away the ending. But here's the thing. The point of a story is not the ending. The point is, What does it mean?" It's time to educate the young people about the power of community activism, in a gentle way. This book does that...
Published: 2107 Theme: Japanese Culture Best for: 5 to 10 "I just had to be able to help make mochi! I need to think of a way to convince my parents. Good think I had the perfect thinking spot..." Breaking the gender barrier- again, and this time, against the cultural grain.
Published: 2017 Theme: Content with Life Best for: 7 to 9 "I remembered a large, fancy poster with a picture of my mother and James, looking happy and famous. How could she leave that behind to live on a farm in the middle of the prairie?" The magic of Patricia MacLachlan comes through again, this time with a young girl wondering how one can give up fame and still be happy!
Published: 2017 Theme: Imagination Best for: 5 to 7 "Roxy prides herself on making the best grape jelly sandwiches of anyone in the family, and for this reason, she's in charge of the sandwich assembly line..." A delightful short collection of three imaginative stories, perfect for reading aloud...
Published: 1960 Theme: Imaginative Play Best for: 5 to 7 "There was a sign on Rosie's door. It read, 'If you want to know a secret, knock three times.'" Pure delight is the best description for this classic, and not-well-known children's book by beloved writer and illustrator, Maurice Sendak.
Published: 2016 Theme: Self-acceptance Best for: Girls 7 - 9 "Did Mom know she hired a witch as a babysitter?" In this second children's book in the Backyard Witch series, we watch a young girl grow into her own qualities, which are different from her mother's expectations.
Published: 2016 Theme: Learning Something New Best for: 6 to 9 "My name is Juana. It is spelled J-u-a-n-a, and it is pronounced Who-Ah-Nah...Bogota is where I am. And where school is and where Mami and my abuelos and Lucas are..." This perfect multi-cultural children's book introduces us to Juana, who needs to learn English for her trip to the USA, and resists it.
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