Category — Beginning Reader 4-8

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Picture Books

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill  $16.99

A National Book Award finalist teams up with an award-winning illustrator to present a beautiful and inspiring biography of a slave who lived in South Carolina in the 1800s and his extraordinary talent for pottery.

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein  $16.99

It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story —and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself! Whether the tale is HANSEL AND GRETEL or LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD or even CHICKEN LITTLE, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters from doing some dangerous or silly thing.

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick  $16.99

Your buffalo is growing up. He plays with friends. He shares his toys. He’s smart! But is he ready for kindergarten? (And is kindergarten ready for him?) Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? is a hilarious look at first-day-of-school jitters.

Gathering Sparks by Howard Schwartz  $16.99

A grandfather lovingly teaches his grandchild a lesson about the centuries-old concept of “tikkun olam.” Gently told and gorgeously illustrated, this intergenerational picture book offers a soothing and universal message for our troubled times.

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson $6.99

When a witch loses her hat and wand while riding her broomstick, three helpful animals find the missing items. All they want in return is a ride on the broom. Is there room on the broom?

Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler $6.99

Skeleton wakes up with the hiccups. His friend, Ghost, suggests several ways Skeleton can get rid of them, but nothing works. Finally Ghost has an idea and scares those hiccups right out of Skeleton.

Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance by Keith Graves  $6.95

Frank was a monster who wanted to dance, so he put on his hat and his shoes made in France.

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano  $15.99

A turkey tries to hide on Thanksgiving by disguising himself as other animals on the farm.

It’s a Book by Lane Smith $12.99
Playful and lighthearted with a subversive twist that is signature Smith, “It’s a Book” is a delightful manifesto on behalf of print in the digital age. This satisfying picture book has something to say to readers of all stripes and all ages.

Emily’s First Day of School by Sarah Ferguson $7.95

Emily’s going to school for the first time–and she’s a little nervous. Soon, though, Emily meets new friends, and learns that school can be fun.

Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out by Troy Cummings $16.99

After climbing up the water spout and getting washed out, Eensy Weensy Spider has freaked out and lost her nerve. With encouragement from her ladybug friend Polly, Eensy begins to take on bigger and bigger climbing challenges.

The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah $16.99

Her Majesty, Queen Rania’s children’s book is inspired by her own experience. As written by DiPucchio, it is a warmhearted and gently humorous fable about two girls who become aware of their subtle cultural differences, only to have their friendship strengthened as a result.

Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex $14.99

It’s bedtime in the cold gray tomb with a black lagoon, and two slimy claws, and a couple of jaws, and a skull and a shoe and a pot full of goo. But as a little werewolf settles down, in comes the Goon determined at all costs to run amok and not let any monster have his rest.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney $16.99

In this infectious rhyming and read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama-drama. Young children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.

Our Earth by Anne Rockwell  $7.00

Dive beneath the oceans and soar above the clouds in this exploration of Earth that makes a pleasing introduction to basic earth-science concepts.

My Garden by Kevin Henkes $17.99

The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden.

How does your garden grow?

The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers $16.99

When a boy discovers a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would do: He flies it into outer space! Millions of miles from Earth, the plane begins to sputter and quake, its fuel tank on empty. The boy executes a daring landing on the moon…

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers $16.99

Like many children, Henry loves books. But Henry doesn’t like to read books, he likes to eat them.  And the more he eats, the smarter he gets and he is on his way to being the smartest boy in the world! But one day he feels sick to his stomach. And the information is so jumbled up inside, he can’t digest it! Can Henry find a way to enjoy books without using his teeth?

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney  $15.99

In this wordless adaptation of one of Aesop’s most beloved fables by an award-winning artist, an unlikely pair learns that no act of kindness is ever wasted. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling.

The Fish Who Cried Wolf by Julia Donaldson $15.99

Tiddler is late to school every day, but always has an elaborate excuse for his teacher. One day, as he’s thinking up his next story, a net sweeps him up and hauls him far away. How will Tiddler find his way home?

The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill  $16.99

Marjorie the cow wishes she had a special talent. One morning, thanks to a bunch of scheming chickens, Marjorie discovers that she’s laid an egg. But does the baby inside the egg belong to Marjorie? Emotions soon run high in this hilarious farmyard tale.

Do Not Open This Book! by Michaela Muntean $16.99

Pig is valiantly trying to write his masterpiece, but he needs quiet and begs readers not to turn the pages and disturb him. But who can resist? Outrageously funny text and pricelessly expressive pictures combine to create a clever picture book gem.

Ming Lo Moves the Mountain by Arnold Lobel $6.99

Ming Lo and his wife live beside a big mountain which causes them no end of trouble. “Husband”, says Ming Lo’s wife, “you must move the mountain so that we may enjoy our home in peace”. But how can a man as small as Ming Lo move something as big as a mountain? Maybe the village wise man will know.

Vunce Upon a Time by J Otto Seibold $16.99

Dagmar is not like other vampires. He’s shy, he’s afraid of humans, and he’s a vegetarian. However, Dagmar loves candy, and when he hears about all the treats he can get on Halloween, he knows he must be brave and venture out into the human world.

Marley’s Big Adventure by John Grogan $3.99

When Marley, the world’s most rambunctious pup, gets into trouble, he runs away. He eventually learns that his family loves him, even when he’s been bad.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown  $16.99

Brown presents an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms. Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a seek-and-find element to this picture book.

This age group tends to lean toward the silly.  They are developing a sense of humor and the ridiculous is what they thrive on.  Anything that’s nonsensical or off the wall is right up their alley.  Dr Seuss fits in here.  Amelia Bedelia is a favorite for girls because she’s just plain kooky.  These little people are learning to read but they still love to be read to.  So for this category I’ve put in beginning reader books but also picture books because they still love bright, beautiful pictures. (Don’t we all)

Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big Breathed, Berkeley

Thank You Mr Falker Polacco, Patricia

Heckedy Peg Wood, Audrey

Curious George Rey, H A

Madeline Bemelmans, Ludwig

Pete & Pickles Breathed, Berkeley

The Three Little Javelinas Lowell, Susan

Magic School Bus Cole, Joanna

Enigma Breathed, Berkeley

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? Coyle, Carmella LaVigna

Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner

Beginning Reader Books

Flat Stanley and the Haunted House by Jeff Brown  $3.99

Stanley and Arthur Lambchop can’t wait for their school’s Halloween party. But when they see a bully picking on their friend at the party, the boys know they have to help.

The Ugly Egg by Liu Kuenzler $3.99

Posy Puffin wants nothing more than to hatch an egg of her own, just like all of her friends, but she has no luck. When she comes across a big ugly egg on the ice, she takes it under her wing, only to find she’s got more than she bargained for–a lot more!

I Can Read: Fancy Nancy series $3.99 ea by Jane O’Connor

Fancy Nancy books set for beginning readers.  Most of these are level 1 books.

Little Bear and the Marco Polo by Else Minarik  $3.99

Little Bear learns about his grandfather’s days as a sea captain–and to his delight, he gets to visit Grandfather Bear’s sailing ship, the “Marco Polo.

Frankie Pickles and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight $5.99

Like most kids, Frankie Pickle hates cleaning his room. But what happens when his Mom says he never has to clean it again? Frankie and his unstoppable imagination mean fun.

School Rules (Pinkalicious Series)  by Victoria Kann  $3.99

When Pinkalicious brings her imaginary unicorn, Goldie, to class one day, she learns that with her companion by her side, school rules!

For those who love Fancy Nancy

Silly Milly by Wendy Cheyette Lewison $3.99

This delightful, rhyming easy reader is one big riddle. Miss Milly likes green but not red, butter but not bread, seeds but not flowers, and umbrellas but not showers.  Readers are invited to guess why Miss Milly likes what she does.

Curious George: The Perfect Carrot by H A Rey  $3.99

Curious George grows carrots in a little garden plot of his own. When his carrots are ready, George decides that his prize carrot is too perfect to eat. But when George stumbles upon his friend Bill’s pet bunnies lost and hungry, he doesn’t hesitate to share his carrot.

More Spaghetti, I Say by Rita Golden Gelman $3.99

Minnie the monkey is too busy eating spaghetti–all day, in all ways–to playwith her friend Freddie.

You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales by Mary Ann Hoberman  $16.99

Designed with budding readers in mind, this collection features eight fairy tales, each given a new twist and set in three columns and three colors as a script for two voices to read separately or together.

Star Wars: What is a Wookiee? by Laura Buller  $3.99

Young fans can learn more about alien characters from the Star Wars universe–from Chewbacca, Han Solo’s loyal Wookiee companion, to Jedi Master Yoda and the Gungun race.

Little Bear Minarik, Else

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Dr Seuss

Mouse Soup Lobel, Arnold

Danny and the Dinosaur Hoff, Sid

Frog and Toad are Friends Lobel, Arnold

No More Monsters for Me Parrish, Peggy

Amelia Bedelia Parrish, Peggy

A Bargin for Frances Hoban, Russell