These simpler books are a transition to independent reading for first and second grade readers.
Published: 2008 Theme: Wildlife in Africa Best for: 6 to 9 "They came to a halt beside the hut... It had been made out of tree branches and the trunks of saplings, all tied together with twine and then poked firmly into the ground." The small first chapter book is set in the bush in Africa, and gives wonderful images of African children, wildlife, and insights into baboon behavior.
Published: 2016 Theme: Children, Poets, and Dogs Best for: 7 to 10 "I'm a dog. I should tell you that right away. But I grew up with words. A poet named Sylvan found me at the shelter and took me home. He laid down a red rug for me by the fire..." Prepare to have your heart strings plucked by master storyteller MacLachlan, as a dog and two children comfort each other.
Published: 2014 Theme: Dragons Best for: 6 - 9 "Drake looked over at his friend Bo. he could tell Bo was thinking the same thing he was: How did the king know one of the dragons was sick?" Our school librarian gets a high demand for books about dragons, especially from the lower grade students. So she and I were delighted to find this one.
Published: 2015 Theme: Monsters Best for: 7 to 8 "Yes, he had to admit, Ruffleclaw had been quite a pest. Always hungry. Always tired. And he spat absolutely everywhere. And still... Tommy missed him." Let's start by admitting that this children's book is aimed at being gross, and aimed at young boys who like to be gross...
Published: 2008 Theme: First Chapter Book Best for: 6 to 8 "They sat down for lunch at a cafe. "Bonjour," said the waiter. "That means 'Hello'", Dodsworth told the duck. "Oh well then, 'banjo' to you, too," said the duck." As a first chapter children's book, this little book is more than meets the eye, with lovely illustrations, and authentic information about Paris.
Published: 2014 Theme: Being yourself Best for: Third graders "It was all new and fascinating to Annika. She had never know that baking had so much math in it--so much tasty math!" Here's a lovely addition to those hard to find interesting first chapter books, which, uncommonly, focuses on the early grade student's relationship to math.
Published: 2015 Theme: Trust Best for: 6 - 9 "Marvin sees crumbs under the table, but those are nothing special. The beetles find crumbs all the time. But then he sees something else. Something shiny. Something silver." My criteria for an good children's book for emerging readers is that it is not too daunting, and not too dull. This book meets both criteria.
Published: 2015 Theme: Friendship Best for: 5 - 8 "Diva was the gardienne's dog, which mean that Diva was practically responsible of the whole of 11 avenue Le Play, including the courtyard. It was a very big job for a very small dog." Hooray! An enchanting first chapter book for children that delights, amuses, is readable, and even stretches our reading muscles to read some French words.
Published: 2015 Theme: Self-confidence Best for: girls 8 to 10 "Sadie imagined Jess and Maya calling from the road and asking what she was up to. 'Oh Nothing much. Just doing magic with a friend. Nobody you know.'" With a little imagination, and the help from the Backyard Witch, "a most magical and mysterious visitor, who always appears just when you need her," Sadie's summer, and her own sense of self-worth is transformed.
Published: 2005 Theme: First Chapter Books Best for: 6 to 9 "Mr. Gaskitt was minding the baby. It was his turn. And doing the grocery shopping and opening the trunk and feeling in his pocket for the parking-lot ticket and tying his shoelace... and looking the other way." Imagine the above sentence written with only 4 or 5 words on a line, and you can see why these first chapter children's books are great for new readers
Litkidz 