These books are great to read aloud to a younger reader, and is an especially fun time for grandparents. It’s never too early to start!
Published: 1948, republished 1998 Theme: Imagination, Kindness Best for: 5 to 8 "He's got a long tail and yellow and blue stripes. His horn and eyes and the bottoms of his feet are bright red, and he has gold-colored wings." This children's book is all about imagination, with a capital I. Just trying to picture the vividly-colored dragon takes all of my imaginative skills! There's nothing scary about this book...
Published: 1958 Theme: Early Reader Best for: 5 to 8 "If you can count," said the big, hungry alligator, "maybe you will count my teeth. I have always wanted someone to count my teeth. I will open my mouth wide. Then you two can get in and count all my teeth. All the way to the back of my mouth." In this easy reader, a young girl has the ideal way to deal with her two young cousins who are pinching, and fighting, and biting. Tell a tale about crocodiles...
Published: 1961 Theme: Early Reader Book Best for: 5 to 8 "One spring day, when Mother Bear was little, she found a baby robin in the garden. A baby robin, too little to fly. "Oh how sweet you are," she said, "Where did you come from?" "From my nest," said the robin..." When a child can pick up a children's book and read it on their own, it's as big as learning to ride a bike. The "I Can Read" series is perfect for new readers...
Published: 1998 Theme: Peace at all costs Best for: 9 and up "There they go," a voice said. "There go the cowards." Samuel Russsell clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white but he did not look around..."Cowards", that was what many people called him and his father and all his people." This very informed historical fiction children's book depicts an actual event involving the Quakers in New York State, and their encounter with French Canadian Indians, told through the eyes of two young boys.
Published: 1911 Theme: Animal Myths Best for: 3 to 5 "Danny Meadow Mouse sat in his doorway and looked down the Lone Little Path across the Green Meadows. Way, way over near the Smiling Pool he could see Old Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes, at play." Here's a must-have children's book for Waldorf parents of young children (3 to 5). Perfect short bed-time stories, this classic collection unfolds little stories about why the mouse has a short tale, or why the chipmunk has pockets in his cheeks...
Published: 1996 Theme: Express Yourself Best for: 8 and up "But who says that d-o-g means the thing that goes 'woof' and wags its tail? Who says so?" And Mrs. Granger took the bait. "Who says dog means dog? You do, Nicholas. You and I and everyone in this class and this school and this town and this state and this country. We all agree." Thumbs up to this fast-moving, easy reading children's book that is sure to delight parents, teachers, and hopefully kids, about language, education, and self-confidence.
Published: 2012 Theme: Death of a grandparent Best for: 6 to 9 "I sleep with Lucy [the dog] in Billy's bed because I promised. She sleeps next to me, sometimes lifting her head to peer at me as if to say 'You're not the one I love. You're all right. But not the one I love.'" In Kindred Souls, once again MacLachlan addresses the journey of a young child dealing with the death of an elder, offering humor and compassion..
Published: 2011 Theme: Growing up Best for: 7 - 9 "After her very important call my mom sat on the couch with me and read five whole chapters of a book to me... And when we got to the happy ending, my mom's eyes got red...My mom always cries at happy endings." Here's one of the absolute best early readers/ first chapter books I've come across. The writing is simple, laid out with only a few words on a line for ease of reading...
Published: 2014 Theme: First Chapter Book Best for: 5 to 8 "Being an explorer's assistant is hard work," said Harold. "Being an explorer is even harder!" said Pigsticks. Harold wasn't convinced. He hadn't realized that The Ends of the Earth would be so far away." Interspersed with delightful illustrations, filled with humor and jokes, this is a fabulous first chapter book...
Published: 2014 Theme: Standing up for others Best for: 6 to 10 "Our Pentagon is a surprise my dad and I are building to celebrate the new baby coming. Our Pentagon is a table, one that will be just right for our new family because it has five sides, one for everybody." There's a nice mix of humor, emotions, and easy reading that makes this a very attractive book for young children.
Litkidz 