Suggested Books for Young Readers

Students in Grades K – 2

 

 

  • April and Esme, Tooth Fairies by Bob Graham

On their first assignment, two young tooth fairy sisters journey by night into the huge world of humans to collect a young boy's tooth and fly it safely home.

 

  • Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds

A young boy and his mother take a familiar ride on a city bus unaware of the historic event they are about to witness: passenger Rosa Parks refuses to move from her seat.

 

  • Bailey Goes Camping by Kevin Henkes

Your little one who's too small for sleep-away camp is sure to enjoy this stay-at-home adventure.

 

  • Beach by Elisha Cooper

A day at the beach comes to life through the vivid illustrations of sand castles, seashells, and waves.

 

  • Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan

Rubina’s excitement over an invitation to a birthday party is dimmed by her mother’s insistence that she take her younger sister Sana with her.

 

  • Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

Dissimilar, yet steadfast friends, celebrate the ups and downs of their daily escapades in three lively chapters that explore compromise, asserting independence, and jealousy. Geisel Award Book

 

  • Chalk by Bill Thomson

In this wordless picture book, three young children arrive at the park to find a bag of colored chalk that turns their imaginary drawings into something very real.

 

  • City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems 

Unleashed on his visit to the country, a dog meets a new friend in frog and together they experience the seasons and the cycle of life.

  • Clifford Takes a Trip by Norman Bridwell

Emily Elizabeth's family is going on a vacation so far away Clifford can't come.  Or can he?

  • Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse

Cool the crackling city heat with a lyrical look at the anticipation of rain.

 

  • Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh

The universality of childhood experiences is shown through the lives of two cousins, one in the United States and one in Mexico. Belpré Illustrator Honor Book

 

  • Dilly's Summer Camp Diary by Cynthia Copeland Lewis

First-time campers will love this comic-book-style look at the highs and lows of sleep-away camp.

 

  • Fiesta Babies by Carmen Tafolla

The simple rhyme scheme is embellished by colorful illustrations of multicultural babies and toddlers celebrating at a local fiesta. Belpré Illustrator Honor Book

 

  • Gaspard at the Seashore by Anne Gutman

Charm your child with the tale of an earnest pooch who longs to windsurf — but he'll have to learn to swim first!

 

  • Grandma’s Gift by Eric Velasquez 

This personal tale is based on the author’s special relationship with his grandmother, who influenced his dream of becoming an artist.Belpré Illustrator Award

 

  • Hip-Pocket Papa by Sandra Markle 

The papa hip-pocket frog from Australia, who carries his babies in his hip pocket, is introduced with attractive watercolor illustrations.

 

  • Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein 

This hilarious story presents Little Chicken and her long-suffering papa, who just wants to get through a bedtime story without his daughter’s metafictive disruptions. Caldecott Honor Book

 

  • In the Wild by David Elliott

A joyful collection of brief poems paired with dynamic woodblock prints celebrates favorite animals from every continent.

 

  • Lottie's New Beach Towel by Petra Mathers

Hit the beach with a spirited chicken in this charming picture book.

 

  • Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!  by Grace Lin 

Six vignettes chronicle the daily adventures of identical twins as they get haircuts, make dumplings, perform magic and take a trip to the library. Geisel Honor Book

 

  • LMNO Peas by Keith Baker

Tiny green peas take readers on a fun, whimsical tour of the alphabet.

 

  • Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Join an old-school detective for an engaging and easy-reading mystery.

 

  • Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson 

Unlike her friends and relatives, Gia is not looking forward to the birth of her first sibling, "that ding-dang baby".

 

  • Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor

Familiar and lesser known nursery rhymes, illustrated with superb needlework and appliqué, create a charming dollhouse of a book.

 

  • The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

Quiet comes in many varieties, from “Sleeping sister quiet” to “First snowfall quiet” to “Right before you yell ‘SURPRISE’ quiet”.  

 

  • Rubia and the Three Osos by Susan Middleton Elya

A bouncy, rhyming story about a little golden-haired niña who helps herself to everything in the house of the three bears.

 

  • A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead 

Zookeeper Amos McGee gets the sniffles and receives a surprise visit from his caring animal friends. Caldecott Medal

 

  • Swimmy by Leo Lionni

Dive into the ocean to see how a small fish outsmarts a big predator

 

  • Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

Your child will be dazzled by what Cassie Louise Lightfoot sees when she flies high above New York City on a hot summer night.

 

  • Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey

Explore a magical Maine summer with this Caldecott Award-winning classic.

 

  • Tuck Me In!  by Dean Hacohen 

Readers interact with this deceptively simple good-night book, tucking sweet animals into bed.

 

  • We Are in a Book!  by Mo Willems  

Elephant and Piggie discover that someone, the reader, is looking at them in this hilarious, interactive story about the joys of reading and being read. Geisel Honor Book

 

  • Yucky Worms by Vivian French 

While digging with Grandma in the garden, a child learns why earthworms are so important in helping plants grow.