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This post is part of an ongoing Summer Reading for Kids series. Click HERE to find ideas for reading activities, reading lists, and reading incentives...and keep checking back for more!

Sophia was reading really well by the end of First Grade, but she was terrified of chapter books. She claimed they were too hard for her to read and she was much too little. I couldn't even get her to open up When I was trying to decide what to put in Junie B. Jones, which were Bria's go-to books as a first grader.
her summer reading bin last year, I decided to turn to my all-knowing Facebook friends for ideas on easy chapter books that she might be interested in reading. Many suggestions were made, but Bria's former 5th grade teacher took it one step further and handed me a pile of books to borrow.
That one act made Sophia feel so special that she was determined to read them all. And she found out that chapter books aren't scary at all. Phewsh!
The books my friend gave me were mostly books from various series, and there were a lot of really great ones included--many of them I had never heard of before. Plus, I might have a lot of books at our house, and we had a few more good series for early readers, as well.

This series is a spin off of the Cam is a little sleuth who solves many mysteries. I love that the author has a website devoted to Cam and kids can find study guides, quizzes, and other fun Cam activities. To go to the website click here: Flat Stanley If you've ever had to participate in a Flat Stanley project, then you are very familiar with the story. If you've never had to do a Flat Stanley project, I'd say to count your blessings ( just kidding, they're pretty fun). Stanley is a little boy who was accidentally smashed flat and decides to see the world by mailing himself everywhere and you can read all about his amazing adventures in this series. Babysitter's Little Sister Babysitter's Club books that I read as a kid. The series follows Karen, who is the younger sister of original The Kids in Ms. Colman's Class This series is a spin off of Babysitter's Little Sister ( Cam Jansen Website. yes, a prolific author!). There are 12 of these books, and they center around the events in Ms. Colman's classroom at Stoneybook Academy. Babysitter's Club member Kristy Thomas. There are 122 books in this series, so you can keep your child reading for a long time!

A to Z Mysteries This series follows 9-year-old detectives Dink, Josh, and Ruth as they solve many mysteries. 26 of them, to be precise. One for every letter in the alphabet.

Judy Moody is a little girl who has lots of moods. She has a mood for anything life throws at her. Sometimes it's a bad mood and sometimes it's a medical mood and sometimes it's a fancy mood, but she always has a mood. Judy Moody also always has a fun website full of "way-not-boring stuff to do" and other fun Judy Moody activities. To go to the website click here:
Clementine Like most of these books, the Clementine series centers around a character and her adventures. Clementine has to deal with things like a talent show at school for which she has nothing to perform, feeling like her parents love her little brother best, and navigating her relationship with her best friend, Margaret. Judy Moody website.
Ivy and Bean Ivy and Bean are two little troublemakers who are always getting themselves into, well, trouble! Sophia loves this series--probably because she relates so well to these girls. This author also has a fun website dedicated to all things Ivy and Bean, including crafts and ideas about how to bug your sister. To go to the website click here: Ivy and Bean website.

Keep in mind that we are a household of girls. I know many of these series would also be great for boys, and I don't see why they couldn't read all of them, but I am also not familiar with what boys like to read. I do know Sophia enjoyed all of these books quite a lot, but if she had to pick a favorite series it would most likely be But my favorite thing is that these books got Sophia to love chapter books. This summer, her bin is full of much bigger chapter books that she is having no trouble with at all. Still, she will often be found reading a Ivy and Bean.
I am a big fan of the series that also have fun websites. It gets the kids super excited to read the books so that they can understand the games and other activities. Don't be afraid to incorporate technology into reading because that is the way our world is now. Embrace it.
Judy Moody or Ready, Freddy! book--she still loves all of these characters.

This post may contain affiliate links, for more information, please see my disclosure.

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12 Easy Chapter Book Series for Early Readers

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This post is part of an ongoing Summer Reading for Kids series. Click HERE to find ideas for reading activities, reading lists, and reading incentives...and keep checking back for more! Sophia was reading really well by the end of First Grade, but she was terrified of chapter books.

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Series books once they’re hooked, then they don’t have to worry about what to read next.

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Discovering a terrific chapter book series, is the gold at the end of the rainbow. For kids who struggle to find a book that will get them reading, a good book series is the answer! Once they're hooked, then they don't have to worry about what to read next. (At least for awhile.)

Here are chapter book series that I hope will get your readers excited to read.

Beginning Reader Book Series

The Case of the Claymore Diamond Math Inspectors by Daniel Kenney and Emily Boever
3 book series (ages 6 - 8)
Viva math! These friends love math and are proud of it - in fact, they're sure they can use their math skills to solve crimes. This is a delightful, easy chapter book series.

All Paws on Deck (Haggis and Tank Unleashed #1) by Jessica Young
2 book series so far (ages 6 - 8)
In a word: HILARIOUS! These two dog friends with opposite personalities (and intelligences?) sail on a fun and silly pirate adventure. You will fall in love of Tank and Haggis.
If you like this, tryLulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst.

Waggit's Tale by Peter Howe
3 book series (ages 6 - 8)
Waggit is abandoned in the park. Fortunately, a group of dogs takes him in and helps him survive. He lives with them for many months, including a hard winter, but when a friendly woman feeds him and gives him a home, he finds his forever home.
If you liked this, tryDogs of the Drowned City by Daya Lorentz.

Here's Hank by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver
8 book series (ages 6 - 9)

Fourth grader, Hank, is a relatable character for whom learning doesn't come easily. This is a easy to read, well-written, beginning illustrated chapter book series for readers transitioning to chapter books.
If you like this tryThe Vanishing Coin (Magic Shop Series) by Kate Egan and Mike Lane.

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
9 book series (ages 6 - 8)In a word: Hilarious. We all think Bad Kitty is very naughty and oh so funny. These books are fun to reread over and over.
If you like this, tryZeke Meeks vs the Putrid Puppet Pals by D.L. Green.

Middle Grade Book Series

Killer Species by Michael P. Spralin
4 book series (ages 8 - 12)
Kids love this easy, fast-paced adventure series about a mad scientist who creates a scary hybrid crocodile-dinosaur-bird killer creature to stop visitors from entering the Everglades. Emmet and his father arrive to investigate but when his father is kidnapped, Emmet and his friend, Calvin, know it's up to them to find where the kidnapper is holding Emmet's father. GREAT for reluctant readers - and anyone who loves a crazy sci-fi who-done-it!
If you like this, try by Lauren Tarshis.

The Baby-Sitter's Club Graphix by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Raina Telemeter
4 book series so far (ages 9 - 12)
This classic chapter book series is now retold in cartoons! Four best friends work together to handle all sorts of issues - from babysitting to emergencies, to competition from other babysitters. Your kids will love these excellent, addictive stories.
If you like this, trySisters by Raina Telgemeier.

by Gordon Korman
6 book series (ages 8 - 12)
Aidan and Meg Falconer are their parents' only hope. The Falconers are facing life in prison - unless Aidan and Meg can follow a trail of clues to prove their innocence. The problem? Right now they're trapped in a juvenile detention center. Until they escape one night - and find themselves on the run, both from the authorities and from a sinister attacker t who has his own reason to stop them. The Falconers must use their wits to make it across the country ... with plenty of tests along the way. GREAT series for reluctant readers!
If you like this, try Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Hadix.

Dragon Slippers trilogy by Jessica Day George
3 book series (ages 8 - 12)
Young and brave Creel wants nothing more than to own her own seamstress shop but in her pursuit of this dream, she encounters and befriends a few dragons which will change the course of her life. Especially because she's given a pair of magical dragon slippers that can help her speak and control to her most esteemed dragon friend. If these get into the wrong hands, the dragons will be used for war.
If you like this, tryWings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland.

Vet Volunteers by Laurie Halse Anderson
15 book series (ages 8 - 10)
Vet Volunteers is great series of mystery and animal-care books and the friends who volunteer at Dr. Mac's.
If you like this, tryRainbow Street Shelter by Wendy Orr.

The Kicksby Alex Morgan
5 book series (ages 8 - 12)
Finally, a fantastic book (series) for soccer girls! Written by Olympic Gold Medalist and U.S. Soccer team member (among other things), Alex Morgan, these are realistic stories of life, friendship, and playing soccer.
If you like this, tryLiberty Porter by Julia DeVillers.

Tunnels series by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
4 book series (ages 9 - 12)
In pursuit of his missing father, Will finds a crazy, cult-like subterranean group ("The Colony") controlled by frightening leaders who will stop at nothing to maintain control and order in their colony below the surface.
If you like this, try Vampirates by Justin Somper.

Spy Camp series by Stuart Gibbs
3 book series (ages 8 - 12)
12-year old Ben accidentally is recruited for a secret spy school. Which he kind of loves. Even though people are trying to kill him. And even though he's not an encryption wizard. This is a fantastic, fast-paced and hilarious adventure series.
If you like this, trySchool for S.P.I.E.S. Playing with Fire by Bruce Hale.

Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller, illustrated by Karl Kwasny
2 book series (ages 8 - 12)
Now with a second book that is JUST as amazing as the first book, I can say this is a superbly written and conceived series. Charlie lives in a purple mansion with a portal to the world of nightmares. Charlie, his little brother, and his friends must learn to face their fears in order for the nightmare world not to have access to the real world.

If you like this, try Starcatchers series by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson.

H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute of Villainous Education) by Mark Walden
10 book series (ages 8 - 12)
Otto is a prime candidate to become a super villain says the school H.I.V.E. that kidnaps him, enrolling him unwillingly in their island school for villains. Otto and his classmates plan a daring break-out. Plus they need to stop the mutant flesh-eating plant that's attacking everyone in the school. A great adventure series!
If you like this, tryAlex Rider by Anthony Horowitz.

The Books of Elsewhere: The Shadows by Jacqueline West
5 book series (ages 8 - 12)
Olive's house contains paintings that lead to other worlds and mysteriously cryptic, talking cats. Olive soon learns that the previous owners trapped many people in the paintings, including a boy Olive befriends who is now a 2D painting. The plot's twisting kept me wondering what was happening, and I loved the main character's gumption and her supportive side-kick cats.
If you like this, tryInkheart by Cornelia Funke.

I, Q. series by Roland Smith
6 book series (ages 10+)
Step-siblings Q and Angela are being followed and in danger while touring with their rock star parents. Is Angela's deceased mother's past catching up with them? And is she really even dead? These are thrilling books filled with adventure and intrigue that will mesmerize readers.
If you like this, tryCrime Travelers\ by Paul Aertker.

Lockwood & Co The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
4 book series (ages 9 - 12)
In historical London, dangerous ghosts and spirits aren't just stories - they're real and murderous. But, only kids can see and fight these sectors. We follow the perilous adventures Anthony Lockwood who owns his own agency (with no adults in sight) to combat the supernatural with his teen team of Lucy and George. Creepy and exciting!
If you like this, tryThe Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason.

The Five Kingdoms by Brandon Mull
5 book series (4 published so far) (ages 8 - 12)
Cole and his friends are trapped in another world, a world of dangers and magic rules by an evil High King. But Cole doesn't know where his friends are. This series follows Cole's adventures through the kingdoms as he searches for his friends, his new friendships, a quest to topple the High King, and more. It's exciting, it's unique, and I highly recommend it.
If you like this, tryThe False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (series)
3 book series (ages 8 - 12)
In this riveting series, a telepathic girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world-before the wrong person finds the answer first. When Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she's not alone because he's a Telepath too. Fitz opens Sophie's eyes to a shocking truth, and almost instantly she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known. But Sophie still has secrets, and they're buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden.
If you like this, tryThe Cloak Society by Jeramy Kraatz.

The Young Samurai by Chris Bradford
8 book series (ages 8 - 12)
The only surviver on a British ship attacked by ninjas, 12-year old Jack must adapt to Japanese culture of his new home with a samurai warrior. He trains to fight as a warrior, develops a strong friendship with Akiko, and experiences dangerous adventures that often include his father's most prized possession.
If you like this tryThe Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan.

The Iron Trial (Magisterium) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
2 book series so far (ages 8 - 12)
Even though Callum tries to fail the entrance trials, he is admitted the the school his dad says is evil. But the Magisterium school is not as bad as he expect. Call learns about his elemental powers, he forges bonds of friendship with his teammates, and rescues a wolf puppy who is infused with the evil magic of Chaos. I couldn't put this book down - especially after the surprise twist of who Callum really is!! The second book,The Copper Gauntlet, is now out and just as excellent as the first.
If you like this, tryThe Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost.

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holberg
3 book series (ages 13+)
In a world where magicians specialize in a specific magic (metal, paper, and so forth), magician-in-training Ceony is assigned to learn from Magician Emery Thane. When his ex-wife tries to kill him, Ceony animate a magical heart to save Emery's life then leaves to fight the evil magician Excisioners. As the story develops, so does the attraction between Emery and Ceony. Great character development and fast-paced action.
If you like this, tryThe Agency by Y.S. Lee.

Jackaby by William Ritter
3 book series (ages 13+)
Desperately needing a job, Abigail hires on with R.F. Jackaby, an unusual private detective who observes details like Sherlock Holmes just like Abigail does. This combines the history of New England plus mystery and magical elements.
If you like this, tryA Darker Shade of Magic y V.E. Schwab.

Air Awakens by Elise Kova
4 book series (ages 13+)
Vhalla, a former librarian-in-training, learns she is the only air elemental in the kingdom and becomes a slave to the king's army and his wishes. She's conflicted by her friendship (and possible romance) with the crown prince, Aldrik and the limited choices she has - to fight or die. I love this magical series!
If you like this, tryPoison Study by Maria V. Snyder.

The GrishaShadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
3 book series (ages 13+)
When Alina's powers reveal themselves, surprising even her, she's taken to the magical leader, the Darkling, to train with the Grisha and serve the Darkling in his fight against the Shadow Fold. This is a unique and compelling fantasy series.
If you like this, tryAn Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir.

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Terrific Chapter Book Series for Kids | Imagination Soup

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Discovering a terrific chapter book series, is the gold at the end of the rainbow. For kids who struggle to find a book that will get them reading, a good book series is the answer! Once they're hooked, then they don't have to worry about what to read next.

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The classroom library. For some it is magical, others it can be a nightmare. For a long time it was a pit of doom in my classroom. I didn't know what to do. I thought I had great books (and I'd tell you they were great) but students did not read them. So I started over.

About a year-and-a-half ago I made the decision that I was going to completely change my classroom library. I scrapped 75% of the books that were in my room and I started introducing (almost strictly) graphic novels and comics. I made the decision that reading fluency and word read correctly per minute were NOT what my students needed. They needed to WANT to read. On their own. Without a teacher breathing down their neck.

Graphic novels were what my students needed.

A little backstory: I grew up on Calvin and Hobbes and The Far Side. As a kid these were the only books that I read. And I read them over and over and over. These were the only books that I would check out or read consistently year after year.

Take an honest look at your classroom library. How many of your books never get read during the year? The percentage is pretty high. That's not to say the books aren't good, this is just the reality. It also fits nicely with the misconception that graphic novels aren't real reading (or books). That needs to be debunked right now. (And maybe you're not a teacher who thinks this, but I'm guessing you probably know who teacher is.) We're in the Golden Age graphic novels and comics.

If you're on the fence for making a dramatic change to your library, that's cool...just take it slow. I've spent the year finding a variety on Amazon, scouring garage sales, and seeing what our local library has. I've also used Instagram to help identify and build variety and diversity -without other teachers giving input, it would be a pretty boring collection.

Books are books are books
I want my students reading. I want them to be willing to open up a book. I want them to enjoy it. Novels are great but they don't mean much when my students won't open them up. I tell all of my parents that graphic novels are more than fine for their kids, they are wonderful. If we (as teachers) are turning into the Fahrenheit 451ers by telling kids they can't read something because it has picture...what are we doing. Seriously?!

Rich in Text
Sure, they might not have as much text, but they're still telling stories using dialogue and making students analyze what they see and comprehend. Every single graphic novel varies in the amount of text it has and how it is presented, they're each their own language lesson.

Diversity
Graphic novels are incredibly diverse with a huge collection of characters that ALL kids will respond/reacty to. Representation matters. It matters even more with students and how they connect with characters, settings, and cultures within what they read/see. A lot of our favorite (older books) tend to be pretty cookie-cutter without any diversity and many are problematic too. Today's graphic novels are more diverse than anything we've ever had. Let your students see it and be part of it.

Bridge Books
Graphic novels levels all vary. Some simple, some complex. Once you take a little time you'll realize how different each is, allowing you to slot them in to different reading levels for all your kids (if you need to). Think of graphic novels as scaffolding. Each time a student reads one they're moving up, becoming confident, and (hopefully) it'll move them into larger texts. They bridge those gaps between read alouds and novels.

Gateway Literature
That's right. Graphic novels are the gateway drug that moves kids to those bigger and better novels that you want them to read. Engage the kids first, get them hooked, and then you can pressure them to text that's even bigger and better.

Classic Comic Books
Marvel, Star Wars, DC- these are some of the staples in my collection. Classic comics are just as important even if it is superheroes. Remember how I said representation matters? Well, check out some of the characters there are now. There is something for every kid.

So what's in my library? Here's an every-growing list.

You can find more from me at Digital: Divide & Conquer where I tackle project based learning, some technology, and the space in between.

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Graphic Novels, Rethinking Your Classroom Library

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The classroom library. For some it is magical, others it can be a nightmare. For a long time it was a pit of doom in my classroom. I didn't know what to do. I thought I had great books (and I'd tell you they were great) but students did not read them.

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Great read alouds!

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My sides hurt from making this list of funny chapter books for kids. I'm going to brag a little about my book list here. I hope you don't mind. But there are a lot of funny books out there ( my kids seem to have a knack for finding them in the library) and a lot of the books that make it onto "funny books" lists are either gross out books or are labeled "books for boys" ( don't even get me started on that ). Now, there are some of those so-called potty humor books on this list, too but these are books that grown-ups will actually appreciate reading aloud ( for the most part, everyone is different, dontcha know).

I hope I have included a laugh out loud book for everyone. There are soft chuckle books, knowing smile books, hearty laugh books, and snort-milk-out-your-nose books. I've separated them out into a few different categories to help keep the list more user-friendly. But no need to point out any typos. My fingers are exhausted. (Note: book covers and titles are affiliate links.)
Because this list is so long you can jump to the following sections:
For picture books see this list: funny books for kids.

Side note: I'll let you in on a little secret: With all the series and sequels on this list it is not exactly 100 funny chapter books. It is actually much, more! Happy laughing!

Funny Chapter Books The Whole Family Will Love

I should note that there are many other books on this list, especially the classics, that everyone will love.

Buckle and Squash: The Perilous Princess Plot was one of our best read aloud novels of 2015. When I read this to my then-6 year old we could not stop laughing! I quite enjoyed creating silly voices for all of Sarah Courtauld's ridiculous and charming characters. Hard-working, practical Eliza and her dreamy, prince poster-collecting sister Gertrude are total opposites. When Gertrude goes off one day to find a prince and instead gets captured, her sister heads out to rescue her. We are eagerly looking forward to reading the sequel!

Henry Huggins. ( SERIES) Classics are always worth revisiting! Kiddo read Cleary's series of books about Henry and his friends when he was 5 or 6 ( we also enjoyed them together as read alouds) and yet here he is at age 8 reading them again and telling me how much he loves them. Henry often plays second fiddle to the wildly popular Ramona; I imagine because his scrapes are not quite as precarious as his more famous neighbor. If you have a Ramona fan who hasn't yet been introduced to this series, he or she will love reading Henry's perspective on her antics. Alternatively, if your son doesn't want to read a "book about a girl" he'll most definitely want to read the Ramona books after getting a glimpse of her through Henry's eyes.

The Year of Billy Miller. I bet you didn't know the author of Lily and the Purple Plastic Purse also wrote chapter books. The Year of Billy Miller is a pitch-perfect account of the year in the life of a second grader. Billy has a stay-at-home dad ( not something you usually see in books, but it just so happens Bobby the Brave also has a S AHD - see below), school projects that present problems, sibling rivalry - in short all the typical family and social situations that children must learn to navigate as they grow up. Henkes ( and Billy) handle it all with aplomb and good humor. There's something very gentle and "old-fashioned" but timeless about this book and I think your kids will enjoy it.

Frogged. I found this book after my kids and I couldn't stop laughing at Vivian Vande Velde's book, 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos (see it on my Funny Read Alouds list), and I wanted to read more of her writing. Frogged, as you may have guessed, is a retelling of "The Frog Prince". Princess Imogene's mother is making her read a horrid book titled, The Art of Being a Princess. When she wanders down to a pond, a frog convinces her to kiss him. The frog, however, not only does not turn into a prince ( he turns into smart-aleck peasant), but the spell reverses and Imogene turns into a frog! The only way to turn back into a princess is to dupe someone into kissing her, thus casting the frog spell on another unsuspecting person. But Imogen worries about the ethics of that! As a theater nerd I loved the way Imogene the frog gets taken on a hilarious adventure with a theater troupe, and the memorable and not-a-little bit crazy characters will keep you reading to the end. This would make a great read aloud.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher made me laugh out loud. I read the book myself and read aloud some of the most humorous passages to my kids while they were busy on the floor with their Pokemon ( sigh). A family of 2 dads and 4 adopted sons ( all together they span several ethnicities and religions) lead a rather disordered and hilarious lifestyle. The boys all have different personalities, which could lend themselves to stereotypes, but thankfully do not. After finishing this book I wanted to move right in to the Fletcher household, if only to try out their DIY hockey rink. ( You'll have to read it to find out.)

Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff by Robert Paul Weston. The premise is wonderfully silly: in the Kingdom of Spiff everyone is obsessed with fashion, and ridiculously elaborate fashion at that. Well, almost everyone - the Princess prefers pajamas... and books. In Spud, however, things are a bit different and when Puggly of Spud and Frannie of Spiff meet up they set out to teach the others a thing or two about what is really important. This is really fun to read aloud because of the fantastical vocabulary and the rhyming couplets. Even the font is "fancified." I do, however, recommend it for more experienced listeners. I certainly think a 5 year old can listen to it, but it is not the usual fare and I found that mini recaps of the action before we began each reading session to be extra-helpful. Nevertheless, it was a hit.

Funny Chapter Books for Kids ages 7/8 and Up

As always, this is not a strict age range. From time to time I like to remind you I am not a literacy expert, just a book lover.

My older son loved the How to Train Your Dragon books. Hiccup the Viking must train up his very own dragon. Lots of hilarious slapstick misadventures ensues.

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford. (series) We listened to this ( and the sequel) on audiobook and my 7 year old spent much of the time laughing, especially during the periodic one word chapters. Moxy is supposed to read Stuart Little for her summer reading assignment, but she spends more time avoiding - and justifying that avoidance - than she does reading. Hilarious, and the text edition includes a very clever use of photographs to highlight Moxy's creative procrastination skills.

No Talking is another one of my favorite books by Andrew Clements. The boys and girls in 5th grade have a contest to see who can say the fewest words. (This would be a delight for teachers everywhere) My son also read The Report Card, which he assured me was very amusing and is about a girl who, although she can easily earn As, decides to get Ds and Cs on her report card in order to prove a point.

Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder is a series by Norwegian crime novelist Jo Nesbø. Friends Nilly and Lisa help the good doctor develop the flatulent powder in question and in a move worthy of the Weasley twins, they sell it at school. Their plan is to get revenge on the class bullies, Truls and Trym, which they do in a most hilarious fashion. But when the doctor invents a stronger ( much stronger) Fartonaut Powder, the kids must keep it away from those who wish to use the power of farts for evil. ( I can't believe I just wrote that sentence.) Explosively good fun. ( I couldn't help myself.)

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. (series) Christopher Healy's series is best for kids who like a lot of humor in their reading. Four bumbling princes are thrown out by their respective fairy tale princesses. The princesses have their own personality quirks, but all together they battle the less savory creatures in the kingdom and have their own versions of happy, mediocre and not-so happy endings. Very funny and hilariously tongue in cheek. If you like fairy-tale themed books, I have more for you on my list of Fairy Tale Chapter Books or Princess chapter books.

Gooseberry Park. My son's teachers read this to the class and my 6 year old loved it so much he wanted me to read it at home. So of course I did! This charming story follows the adventures of a bat with a taste for junk food, a kind dog and a wise hermit crab as they try to save their friend Stumpy the Squirrel and her new babies. Recently we also read the sequel, Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan, (a beginning chapter book) and enjoyed it just as much.

With it's large text and numerous illustrations, the humorousFrank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieska can also be enjoyed by so called "reluctant readers". Frank is a boy genius bent on winning a science competition with his robot inventions but his rival, T. Edison, is determined to thwart him. Kids who enjoy science will get into this book ( also see my list of science themed chapter books). This is the start of a 6 book series and my son declared it "super funny, especially the robot who loves to hug."

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon, Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (Tales from Deckawoo Drive series). These two books begin a Mercy Watson spin-off series by Kate DiCamillo, and I must say I can't wait for more. The trademark humor from the Mercy easy reader series permeates these longer chapter books. Leroy and Francine, both supporting characters in Mercy Watson, get their own stories. Leroy gets his dreamed of horse and Francine, the award winning animal control specialist ,comes face to face with the first animal who might actually elude her. Laugh out loud funny and very entertaining as read alouds, too!

Surviving the Applewhites. Jake has gotten kicked out of his last school and now has come to live with the eccentric, artistic, homeschooling Applewhite family. The father has taken on directing a local production of "The Sound of Music" and no one is more surprised than Jake when he finds he loves performing. I loved the quirky characters and the boundless energy of this book. When the family has to pull together to get the show up after they are blackballed by a local stage mom, the results are hilariously successful. I really enjoy how the story reinforces the necessity of cooperation when putting on a play. I also recommend this as a terrific read aloud. A 2003 Newbery Honor book.

Better Nate Than Ever and Five, Six, Seven, Nate!. 13 year old Nate's snappy narrative about his adventure in New York City auditioning for E.T. The Musical ( yes, that's right) is marvelous and incredibly funny. The scene in which Nate reads the "sides" during his audition had me laughing so hard I could barely see the words through my tears. I am currently reading the sequel, in which Nate experiences the ups and downs of rehearsing for a Broadway show and it is just as wonderful as the first. Also on my summer reading list for 8-12 year olds. A New York Times Notable Book of 2013.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. ( SERIES) Timmy Failure's format is easier to read than many other middle grade books ( e.g. more accessible for kids who may still resist small type) and includes plentiful illustrations ( Pastis is a cartoonist). Timmy aspires to be a great detective, but that's a bit tricky when his partner is an imaginary polar bear. Timmy is also a bit clueless and naively confident of his skills. This all sounds depressing as I write it, but the book is actually a great mix of offbeat silliness and more serious issues. Parents of younger kids may be tempted to pick up these books because of the large type and illustrations but the sly humor is best appreciated by kids ages 8 and up.

Funny Beginning Chapter Books

The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure (series) is an spin off of J.J. Tully Mystery series ( found on our list of mystery early chapter books ). We read the second book first, and it was one of my son's best books of the year in 2014. We've since read the first book in the series about Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie, chicks with varying degrees of intelligence who solve backyard crimes that inevitably involve the squirrel population.

The Giggler Treatment by Roddy Doyle. Unless you are a Kindle reader, this will be hard to find in the US libraries, but used copies can be found on line. It is an easy to read chapter book, perfect for so called reluctant readers, but steer clear if you don't like the word, "poo." I read it aloud on the subway to my son and he was in stitches. How any author managed to create such suspense over the possibility that a man might step in a pile of dog poo is an amazing ( and hilarious) feat. I have to admit, I found it quite funny and well-written.

Dory Fantasmagory had my son in stitches as we were reading it. Dory is a highly imaginative 6 year old. Her older brother and sister invent a "Mrs. Gobble Gracker" in order to scare Dory into "not behaving like a baby," but Dory grabs onto the idea and her imagination runs away. It's hard to describe the whole intricate plot here, but the way Dory's imaginary world and real world overlap is hilarious. It's a real winner, as is the follow up, Dory and the Real True Friend!

Lulu's Mysterious Mission is the third book in the Lulu series by the author of Alexander and the Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Lulu's parents have finally decided to go on a much needed vacation without their somewhat spoiled child. Lula and Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky clash until Ms. S reveals her secret identity and Lulu begs her to be allowed to undergo spy training. This was a really fun read aloud for my 6 year old ( and for me, because I loved reading the part of the babysitter!!) and no doubt will be enjoyed by independent readers as well.

Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist by Jim Benton. Franny is a young mad scientist ( yes, for real!) but I love how her problems are that of a normal kid. She just wants to fit in with the other kids at school. Since she is a scientist she makes observations about what the other kids are doing ( playing with dolls, dressing "cute") and eating ( squishy white bread sandwiches instead of pumpkin ravioli) and then conducts experiments to see how best she can adapt. It turns out, however, that her uniqueness is what helps her be accepted and appreciated by her classmates. This very clever series is lots of fun for both boys and girls.

Phineas L. MacGuire . . . Erupts!: The First Experiment (From the Highly Scientific Notebooks of Phineas L. MacGuire) (series) by Frances O'Roark Dowell, illustrated by Preston McDaniels. Phineas ( aka "Mac") is a fourth grader who goes through life looking at everything from a scientific angle. He observes, collects and applies data, but when he is paired with the new kid at school for a science experiment the pair have to figure out how to work together. The writing is funny and clever and kids will easily relate to the characters. The book even includes several experiments for readers to try at home.

Magical Mix Up series. I read the second book, Grasshopper Magic out loud to my 6 year old ( who unlike his brother at that age, is not reading early chapter books yet), and he quite liked it and asked for more. There was is quite a bit of age appropriate humor and it's a very friendly sort of book series. In each book ( there are four so far) four siblings encounter a bit of magic, whose source is beneath their lawn and they rally around each other to undo the magical mix up.

Classic Funny Chapter Books

Freddy the Detective by Walter R. Brooks is a wonderful and funny classic book from 1932. I wish Freddy the Pig got more attention that he does because my sons loved this book. After reading Sherlock Holmes, Freddy decides to try his hand at barnyard sleuthing. After a bit of success ( some of it hilariously accidental), some of the other animals realize that the jail is actually more cushy than the outdoors. While reading it, I couldn't help but compare it to my kids' other favorite pig, Nanny Piggins. The humor in Freddy, while charmingly silly is much less over-the-top ridiculous.

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was on my very popular list of chapter books to read aloud to preschooler s. Right now my 5 year old is working his way through the series in audiobook format. During mealtime I ask him about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's cures and he loves to recap the story.

Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories. This is a long time favorite book of mine, but we came back to it this year almost accidentally. I checked out a picture book about Chelm, (The Jar of Fools: Eight Hanukkah Stories from Chelm) and my younger son laughed so hard that I decided we should read Isaac Bashevis Singer's book, too. If you are not familiar with Chelm, there is no time like the present. Chelm is a village of fools and the seven Elders are the most foolish of all. There are seven stories in all, each with a little lesson to be gleaned, but read them for the light-hearted humor and a few giggles.

Owls in the Family is a short chapter book about boys growing up in Saskatchewan in the 1950s. One of the boys adopts a pair of great horned owls. The owls, added to the family dogs, the pen of rabbits and gophers ( in which the owls miraculously co-habit) bring hilarious chaos to the boys' lives. We have read this book aloud 3 times now 4 times 5 times and I expect we will read it again. (Note: includes some racial stereotyping. Please discuss this with your children.)

Homer Price and Centerburg Tales: More Adventures of Homer Price. (1943) Like the Besty-Tacy books, Homer and his pals are a fun way to read about kids having good old fashioned fun without the help of cell phones and ipads. Best of all, these stories are quite funny. Also: donuts! (Note: includes some racial stereotyping. Please discuss this with your children.)

The Paddington books by Michael Bond. I read the original book to my kids when they were younger, but I recently started reading the sequels to my 2nd grader and he appreciated them so much! He was literally jumping all over the bed in hysterics at Paddington's antics.

Congratulations on making it to the end of the list. You are obviously a book addict, like me. Don't miss our favorite books. Every Monday I share a new book list and if you subscribe to our newsletter you will stay on top of things.

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100 of the Funniest Funny Chapter Books for Kids

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My sides hurt from making this list of funny chapter books for kids. I'm going to brag a little about my book list here. I hope you don't mind.

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Wonderful picture books about mail & letters for kids who love the idea of 'snail mail'!

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Wonderful picture books about mail & letters for kids who love the idea of 'snail mail'!

I know that so many of us live in the world of text messages and emails but let's face it, young kids LOVE snail mail!

While we get bills, unwanted advertisements and the occasional good news, kids always receive fun things in the mail -- letters from Grandma, birthday wishes from family, the toy catalog sent during the holidays :)

My kids have always looked forward to "getting the mail".

And I too love that feeling of reading a letter -- a personal note from someone that shares something special.

So this week, our book list celebrates all the fun communication you'll find in your mailbox!

I've rounded up the best kids books told through letters and also included affiliate links for each of the recommendations on the list. I guarantee that they're just as entertaining for the adults who read them aloud ( I was cracking up over a few of these stories -- could not stop laughing!)

If you're using our Genre Challenge for summer reading, you can add 'epistolary fiction' (stories told through letters and documents) as a new genre for kids.

There's a lot to be learned when reading this type of book:

Point out the details in the format of a letter (date, return address, greeting, salutation) as you read.

Readers will enjoy learning about the variety of "sign-offs" that can be used in letter writing.

Kids will understand that letters are a great option for staying connected to those who live far away and also a fun way get to know others through the mail.

I hope the books will inspire your child to write someone a letter this summer!

In The Day the Crayons Quit , Duncan reaches for his crayons so he can color, only to find a stack of envelopes -- each of his crayons has written a letter to tell Duncan how they want to be used!

Red is overworked with all those fire trucks and Santa pictures, Black wants to be used for more than just outlining and Blue wants to color something other than water. What's a boy to do?

When Mom is expecting a baby, Mike decides he's going to write letters to his little sister to let her know he's going to be a great big brother. Dear Baby: Letters from Your Big Brother is an endearing look at the joys and not-so-happy moments of becoming an 'older' sibling.

I was laughing so much as we read this book! In I Wanna New Room , Alex writes a series of letters petitioning his Dad for a new room (now that he has to share with his little brother). The illustrations are just as funny as the letters -- and Alex's ability to stretch the truth makes the correspondance very humorous. Siblings will find comfort in the book's ending too.

A long time favorite of mine, Dear Mr. Blueberry is an exchange of letters between Emily, who writes that she's spotted a whale in her pond, and Mr. Blueberry, her teacher who shares some interesting facts about why there is NOT a whale in her pond.

Another very humorous read, Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School is the first in a series of books about Ike, Mrs. LaRue's dog, and his adventures. In the first book, he's sent to obedience school and writes how "horrible" things are (while he enjoys all his favorite things).

The next book, LaRue Across America: Postcards From the Vacation, shares letters about Ike's travels. And in the third book, Letters from the Campaign Trail: LaRue for Mayor , Ike (the dog) decides to run for Mayor. The illustrations also tell parts of the story that Ike decides to conveniently leave out of his letters.

The Jolly Postman is structured a little differently from the other books in that kids can take the 'letters' out of the envelope-themed pages. The story follows the Postman as he delivers mail to some of his favorite forest friends (Goldilocks, the Witch, the Giant).

In the second installment, The Jolly Christmas Postman , we find him delivering hoiday greetings.

Based on a true story of a dog who wandered into a post office, A Small Dog's Big Life: Around the World with Owney shares the travels of Owney, the dog. The story is set back in the late 1800's when the only way to communicate was by letter.

Be sure to read the story at the end of the book which will explain more about which parts of the book are based on the true story and which were created as the book was written.

The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman , Tameka invites her favorite Uncle to come for a visit. Since he is unable to see her, he creates a wooden man and sends him on a trip to see his neice. The story is an exchange of letters between the two along with great illustrations that show Oliver's cross-country journey and the people who helped him to get to his destination.

Set back in the early 1900's, The Gardener is an exchange of letters between a grand-daughter and her grandmother when she is sent to live with her Uncle in the city. Lydia Grace is determined to bring beauty to her Uncles drab bakery with her seeds and 'green thumb'.

A wonderful story of patience and persistence along with finding your place in the world.

Another wonderful story by Sarah Stewart, The Quiet Place shares Isabel's letters to her aunt as she moves to a new country and must learn to speak English (in addition to her native Spanish).

These letters are all from Isabel to her aunt so we only learn of her adjustment to her new life. Any child going through a move or relocating to a new home will find comfort in this story!

Kate on the Coast is the story of Kate's move and travels across the western coast of America. She shares all the details (many of them actually attractions) of her trips with her best friend back in New Jersey.

I love that you can pair this book with a map and follow along as Kate visits California, Alaska, Hawaii and Washington.

What happens when you turn 6 years old and haven't lost any teeth? Well, you write a letter (or 10) to the tooth fairy. Read along with Claire in Dear Tooth Fairy as she shares all the wiggly, wobbly stories of loose teeth and goings-on in her first grade year.

My daughter really enjoyed the overlapping connections of two popular princess from fairy tales in the story Dear Cinderella. Both Cinderella and Snow White exchange letters sharing what their lives are like as they deal with step-mothers, princes and as they plan to have a wedding together.

Younger kids will really enjoy this twist on the traditional fairy tales. In Dear Peter Rabbit , many of our storybook friends exchange letters as they plan to host and attend parties in their fairytale land.

The second book, Yours Truly, Goldilocks is a look at what it would be like if all of our fairy tale friends were pen pals with one another. And in With Love, Little Red Hen, letters are exchanged as the forest friends plan to help their newest resident to get her garden ready.

Dear Santa: The Letters of James B. Dobbins was one of our favorite letter-themed reads. James begins the book by writing (a number of letters) to Santa to remind him of what he'd like for Christmas. As the story progresses, we find that James' attitude toward the holiday begins to shift towards more of a giving spirit rather than just "I hope that I get.." A great message for kids during a season that can be focused on consumption.

Plus a bonus book --
Books that Celebrate Summertime
This is the only non-fiction book on our list but one I wanted to mention. Animals write to Dr. K. Fisher to ask some in-depth questions about nature, zoology and habitats.

A few of our favorites in this series include: Ask Dr. K. Fisher About Dinosaurs -- yes, the dinosaurs write the letters; Ask Dr. K. Fisher About Animals and Ask Dr. K. Fisher About Weather .

Be sure to pop over to our Learn to Send a Letter post so the kids can also practice addressing envelopes too!

MORE BOOK LISTS:

The Genre Challenge {free printable reading log!}

Happy Reading!

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20 Children's Books Told via Snail Mail & Letters

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Wonderful picture books about mail & letters for kids who love the idea of 'snail mail'! I know that so many of us live in the world of text messages and emails but let's face it, young kids LOVE snail mail!

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Books to support teaching NF text structures: Chronological Order, Cause/Effect, Compare/Contrast, Description, Problem/Solution

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Teaching to Inspire with Jennifer Findley

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Informational text structures is one of my favorite nonfiction reading units to teach. Once students start to see how information is organized in a text it really helps their comprehension and understanding of the text and it also helps them become stronger informational text writers. On this post, I will share my favorite read alouds for teaching text structure as well as share other tips and strategies.

Before we dive into the read alouds for each text structure, I will point out that I don't read all of these books to my students. I usually read one of each and then may read one more for any text structures the students are struggling to identify or understand. I use the other books in reading centers with graphic organizers and teaching posters as review. You can read more about that in the tips section that immediately follows the read aloud recommendations.

You can click on each read aloud to see it on Amazon (affiliate links are included if you choose to use the links provided).

Read Alouds for Chronological Order

Looking at Glass Through the Ages by Bruce Koscielniak
Trapped by the Ice by Michael McCurdy
Tricky Vic The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Towe r by Greg Pizzoli

Read Alouds for Description

Amazon Affiliate links are included if you wish to purchase the books listed in this post through the links provided.

What the Moon is Like by Franklyn Branley
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
Ant Cities by Arthur Dorros

Read Alouds for Cause and Effect

Milk: From Cow to Carton by Aliki
What Happens to a Hamburger by Paul Showers
Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll by Franklyn M. Branley
Oil Spill by Melvin Berger
Aliens from Earth: When Animals and Plants Invade Other Ecosystems by Mary Batten

Read Alouds for Problem and Solution

Where Does the Garbage Go? by Paul Showers
When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Miracle Mud by David A. Kelly
A Place for Butterflies by Melissa Stewart

Read Alouds for Compare and Contrast

Teeth by Sneed B. Collard III
Shark or Dolphin? How Do You Know? By Melissa Stewart (Frog and Toad, too)
What's the Difference Between a Turtle and a Tortoise? By Trisha Speed Shaskan
Dinosaurs vs Beasts by Lee Martin
Crocodiles and Alligators by Seymour Simon

Using Movie Clips to Teach Text Structures

Movie clips also make excellent mentors and examples to introduce students to the different text structures. To read more about how to use movie clips while teaching text structures and get links to movie clips for each text structure, head over to Literacy for Big Kids by clicking here.

Tips for Teaching Informational Text Structures

1. Use books and specific text structure organizers to really dive in and teach the characteristics of each type. As I mentioned above, I don't read every one of these read alouds (because...time). I do like to place a few of the books in a reading center with a reminder poster and a graphic organizer for them to complete while reading the book. The poster and organizer shown are part of my Text Structure Teaching Resource which you can see in my TpT store by clicking here.

2. If needed, start with short texts versus the read alouds. Sometimes, I like to frontload each type with instruction using short texts before we dive into the read aloud. It really depends on your students but sometimes seeing the text structure beforehand in a shorter format helps them understand the structure before moving into the lengthy read alouds. The passage and poster shown are also included in my Text Structure Teaching Resource

3. Take the instruction a step further by exploring how the same overall topic can be presented in different text structures. My text structure teaching resource includes a set of passages just for this purpose. Each passage has an overall topic of pollution but each is written in a different text structure. It is a great way to teach the students how the focus of the text influences the text structure the author chooses to use.

4. Integrate text structures into writing instruction. I always teach my informational writing unit while I am teaching nonfiction reading skills so I can integrate the two. During and after text structure instruction, we do a lot of writing in different text structures.

5. Have students complete a "hunt" for text structures as they read their independent reading books, guided reading books, and even science and social studies books. Click here to grab two free printables for a Text Structure Hunt (the one shown below and one other).

6. Connect to science and social studies textbook or article reading. Prompt the students to notice the text structure used as they are reading and learning about science and social studies topics. You can even do a text structure hunt while reading in science and social studies.

7. Teach the definition of the text structure, the key words typically used, and the purpose of the text structure. Teaching the purpose of the text structure will help the students identify the text structure and also prove that the text structure they identified is correct. Click here to grab both of these Text Structure posters for FREE to help you do this. I print these for the students to keep in their reading notebooks and refer to as needed.

Additional Resources for Teaching Text Structures

In the above section, I shared different ways to introduce and teach text structures. All of the resources I mentioned and use can be found in my Text Structures Teaching Resources. Click here or on the image below to see my Text Structures Teaching Resource in my TpT store.

Do you have any favorite read alouds for introducing or teaching text structure? Let me know in the comments. I am always looking for new read alouds.
Want more recommended read alouds? Click on the links below to check out my other read aloud posts. Read Alouds for Teaching Story Elements Read Alouds for Teaching Inferring Read Alouds for Teaching Theme Read Alouds for Teaching Point of View Back to School Read Alouds September 11 Read Alouds Halloween Read Alouds Thanksgiving Read Alouds Christmas Read Alouds Spring Read Alouds Read Alouds in Upper Elementary Planning Read Alouds in Upper Elementary
You might also enjoy these posts:

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Read Alouds for Teaching Text Structures | Mentor Texts for Reading - Teaching to Inspire with Jennifer Findley

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Informational text structures is one of my favorite nonfiction reading units to teach. Once students start to see how information is organized in a text it really helps their comprehension and understanding of the text and it also helps them become stronger informational text writers.

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Picture books and novels promoting empathy, immigration, migration and refugees.

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It's so important that we develop empathy, develop an understanding of the lives of other human beings. So when we look at immigration, be it undocumented or documented, we must see the perspectives of individuals who've experienced migration and immigration as well as who are refugees from their homeland. To build empathy, we read stories - picture books and chapter books. Stories allow us to walk a mile in the shoes of another, in this case someone who has lived immigration.

These are my favorite picture books and chapter books about the issues surrounding immigration including refugees, migration, migrant work, deportation, poverty, and culture. I hope this list is helpful.

Picture Books About Immigration, Migration, and Refugees

Large photographs pair with short sentences and phrases showing people whose homes are no longer safe, fleeing to safety. But where will they live? In a tent? Will it be hot and dry? Will there be friends? Questions will make kids understand the uncertainty refugees live with as they look for a new home. Photographs help kids see this is happening to real children in real life situations. Use this book to help your own children or students to empathize with children who are refugees. It's really quite perfect for younger readers, not to mention important and timely.

by Irena Kobold, illustrated by Freya Blackwood
Cartwheel arrives in a new country where no on speaks like her and everything sounds and feels strange and lonely. She meets a friendly girl at the park and they play on the swings but she still doesn't understand what the girl is saying. But, the girl helps her learn new words every time they play. Soon Cartwheel begins to feel comfortable in her new home.

A Day's Work by Eve Bunting
A young boy named Francisco accompanies his non-English speaking grandfather to look for day labor and gets him a job as a gardener, even though he knows nothing about it.

My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska
Yoon loves writing her name in Korean but her father insists she must write her name in English. Yoon decides she isn't sure about her name in English and wonders if another name would be better.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
With great sadness, a poor European village girl leaves her beloved grandmother for America.

The Treasure Box by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Freya Blackwood
MIGRATION / REFUGEE
Peter and his father flee their burning village carrying suitcases and a treasure box holding a precious book, the only one that wasn't burned by the enemies. At the last village with mountains looming and his father gone, Peter buries the box. He returns later, when it's safe, finding the box and the book which he takes to the city's new library to share with others. Amazing artwork!

Chapter Books About Immigration

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez (ages 8 - 12)
When Mari's parents are deported to Mexico, she and her sisters are stranded in the United States, desperately worried about what to do next. This is SUCH a powerful story!

Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes (ages 8 - 12)
Gaby's mother is deported, her dad is distant, and Gaby longs for the love of someone; maybe a lost kitten will help her find her way. Sweet and very moving.

The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez (ages 8 - 12)
As Fidel Castro and his soldiers revolt, Lucia's Cuban parents send she and her brother away to safety in Nebraska. (A similar story with male characters is90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis.)

Star in the Forest by Laura Resau (ages 8 - 12)Zitlally's dad has been arrested and deported back to Mexico. As she waits anxiously for him to come back via an illegal "coyote," she befriends a maltreated dog named Star.

Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs (ages 8 - 12)
15- year old Victor wants to help his family in Mexico by working in the United States. But first he must survive the dangerous journey there.

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Books That Promote Empathy: Immigration, Migration, and Refugees | Imagination Soup

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It's so important that we develop empathy, develop an understanding of the lives of other human beings. So when we look at immigration, be it undocumented or documented, we must see the perspectives of individuals who've experienced migration and immigration as well as who are refugees from their homeland.

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These three picture books are a great way to kick off your classroom discussions about your new classroom community.

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If you are like me, you read many, many picture books during the first few weeks of school to settle into new routines and discuss the new school year's expectations. What better way to build relationships than by getting cozy with your new students in your freshly organized classroom library and discussing exciting new books? Picture books are a great way to begin discussions about your classroom community, too. Creating a classroom atmosphere where students feel safe to take risks and feel a sense of belonging is always my goal not just for back to school season, but for the entire school year.The picture books listed below are my go to books that I love to read with my new students to begin creating a strong classroom community. These three books allow for meaningful discussions, role playing activities and carry similar themes. What I love about each of these books is that they have a main character who changes throughout the story, allowing for comparing and contrasting of not just the stories, but the characters, too.

This is one of my favorite books to read and refer back to all year long. This book is about a boy who feels like he doesn't fit in with his peers and is strong enough to not be a follower to all the current trends. Instead he begins his own land where he is free to be himself. The land he creates reflects his interests and his unique personality. He finds out that by being himself, he ends up with more friends than he could imagine. A fun follow up activity is for students to create their own land based on their interests and unique personalities. This is a great way for students to get to know one another, too. This is a definite must read!

This book is filled with many metaphors, but truly perfect for any grade level. The main character of this book is Blue, who normally likes himself, except when hot headed Red is around. With the backing of his colorful friends and a new friend too, Blue has the courage to stand up to Red. This book offers the opportunity to discuss how students can work together to look out for one another in your budding new classroom community. This cleverly written book will become your new favorite back to school read aloud!

This book is about a quiet boy named Brian who literally feels invisible everywhere he goes at school. The illustrations are amazing, with colors that reflect how Brian is feeling. When Brian is feeling invisible he is drawn in black and white. Brian becomes more colorful as his feelings change and he becomes visible to his peers at school. This story is very relatable allowing students to make connections on each and every page.

These stories can easily be compared and contrasted by students in small groups after reading them all aloud. Grab some great discussion questions and student writing activities to use with these books for FREE HERE.

These three picture books are a great way to kick off your classroom discussions about your new classroom community. You can continue to have discussions about the community you have created in your classroom by revisiting these books throughout the year. What books do you like to read to encourage classroom community building?

Looking to continue to discuss classroom community in your classroom each day? These quotes are a great way to engage students in discussing important themes like kindness, friendships and of course community building! See more information HERE.

Interested in reading easy and fun strategies to bring kindness into your classroom? Click HERE.

Subscribe to the newsletter today and grab an instant download of FREE reading graphic organizers, perfect for any fiction or nonfiction book. Use the button below.

*Affiliate links included.

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3 Community Building Picture Books To Kick Off Your School Year

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If you are like me, you read many, many picture books during the first few weeks of school to settle into new routines and discuss the new school year's expectations. What better way to build relationships than by getting cozy with your new students in your freshly organized classroom library and discussing exciting new books?

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The fiction picture books below are all based on well known fairy tales. The books tell the same story as the original fairy tale, only from somebody else's point of view.

Although most students will be familiar with the original fairy tale, some of your students might not be. It can be helpful to read the original story before reading the versions below.

My personal favorites are the stories told from the "bad guy's" point of view. After reading these, students love to write their own fairy tales from a different point of view. You can find more ideas for integrating writing into your point of view lessons here.

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Fiction Books That Help Teach Point of View - Teaching Made Practical

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The fiction picture books below are all based on well known fairy tales. The books tell the same story as the original fairy tale, only from somebody else's point of view. Although most students will be familiar with the original fairy tale, some of your students might not be.

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2018 Nonfiction 10 for 10

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This year for nonfiction 10 for 10, I invite you to wander with me where questions and wondering takes us. Start with a topic and let the questions happen. How do we find out more? Usually, there's a book for that!

Thank you to Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Julie Balenof Write at the Edgefor hosting this meme. Click here to read all of the top ten lists shared.

This is my sixth year participating in this meme!

In the first year of #nf10for10 I shared favourite nonfiction titles - many that I have used with my class over the last few years in a variety of ways.

In the second year, I chose to focus on nonfiction picture book biographies that feature inspiring women.

In my third year, I shared nonfiction titles that allow us to think about something from a completely new or different perspective.

Year four was about travelling the world through nonfiction picture books.

Last year, my list focussed on ocean life and ocean exploration.

Recently in my classroom we read a book about the moon as part of our Mock Caldecott unit. This book led us to many, many questions. As the children were busy wondering, I was busy thinking about books on my bookshelf that might help us to begin answering some of the questions and to explore some of the wonders more deeply. Some have just been published. Others have been on my shelves for years. We are still in the middle of our exploring so part of my wandering from book to book is imagined: What might we wonder when we read about . . . ? The first few books are the titles where we began.

If you read

If You Were the Moon written by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Jaime Kim (2017)

you might have some questions about gravity. So you should probably read

Gravity by Jason Chin (2014)

You might also begin wondering about space and our galaxy. Reading Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson (2014) is a fantastic place to begin.

Maybe you have questions about how the world was made and how everything came to be. How did it all begin? How is the world put together? What is inside the earth? The questions are endless.

There are a few places you can turn

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by David Litchfield (2017)

The Story of Life: A First Book of Evolution by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams with illustrations by Amy Husband (2015)

Earth Verse Haiku from the Ground Up by Sally M Walker and William Grill (2018)

This might lead to questions about specific landforms. A perfect book to turn to here is

Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin (2012)

Some of you might be more interested to learn about all things tiny and microscopic rather than huge and majestic things like islands.

Tiny Creatures: the world of Microbes by Nicola Davies with illustrations by Emily Sutton (2014) is the book for you!

But some of you might want to head back into the past and talk about early life forms. Small things that emerged from the sea? Or gigantic creatures that roamed the Earth like dinosaurs!

Born to Be Giants: How Baby Dinosaurs Grew to Rule the World by Lita Judge (2010) is the ideal title for the dinosaur enthusiast.

This book might lead us to wonder what else might become extinct? Thee are many books about endangered animals. This is one of my favourites, full of truths and hope:

Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild is written by Katie Cotton and illustrated by Stephen Walton (2015)

What are you wondering about now? Your questions can lead us to more incredible nonfiction titles!

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Nonfiction 10 for 10: Wandering through Wonders

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This year for nonfiction 10 for 10, I invite you to wander with me where questions and wondering takes us. Start with a topic and let the questions happen. How do we find out more? Usually, there's a book for that!

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2017 Nonfiction 10 for 10

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This year for nonfiction 10 for 10, I invite you to dive into the ocean and explore the wonders of ocean life and ocean exploration.

Thank you to Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Julie Balenof Write at the Edgefor hosting this meme. Click here to read all of the top ten lists shared.

This is my fifth year participating in this meme.

In the first year of #nf10for10 I shared favourite nonfiction titles - many that I have used with my class over the last few years in a variety of ways.

In the second year, I chose to focus on nonfiction picture book biographies that feature inspiring women.

In my third year, I shared nonfiction titles that allow us to think about something from a completely new or different perspective.

Last year I featured titles that allowed readers to travel the world.
Dive Down Deep! Head into the water!
Down Down Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the sea by Steve Jenkins

How can we not be intrigued at the idea that we may only have encountered half of the large animals living in the sea?

Coral Reefs by Jason Chin

In this title, being lost in a book means getting lost in a completely different world - in this case the magical world of coral reefs.

Some amazing creatures:

Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands by Katherine Roy

A mixture of gorgeously painted illustrations, detailed relevant diagrams and the story of how the great whites hunt in the Farallon Islands so successfully. This book illustrates how sharks are perfectly adept hunters, at the top of the food chain.

Giant Squid written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Such a book. I love the images, the rhythm of the text and the mystery of the still not known that is conveyed.

The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond

An incredible read aloud for children who love to be amazed by nature. I loved the illustration of the blue whale's mouth with 50 people standing in its lower jaw!

Trapped! A Whale's Rescue written by Robert Burleigh and illustrated by Wendell Minor

A beautiful, lyrical story with stunning paintings by Wendell Minor. Follow this real life rescue of a humpback whale.

See What a Seal Can Do written by Chris Butterworth and illustrated by Kate Nelms

The reader is invited into the world of seals. Learn all about gray seals - how they move, how they hunt and how their body is perfectly suited to their ocean home.

Celebrating the study of the ocean and ocean life:

Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang and illustrated by Jodi Solano

"Sharks are magnificent and misunderstood!" This was Clark's message to the world. Sharks need our respect and our protection.

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor written by Robert Burleigh and illustrated by Raúl Colón

I love when nonfiction is the perfect blend of incredible story and breathtaking pictures - increases the wonder factor exponentially!

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A Nivola

The depiction of Earle's curious childhood in the water, descriptions of moments in her life that truly shaped and changed her, beautiful and enticing illustrations and this very important message: " You can't care if you don't know."

What are your favourite books about the ocean?

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Nonfiction 10 for 10 2017: Dive Down Deep

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This year for nonfiction 10 for 10, I invite you to dive into the ocean and explore the wonders of ocean life and ocean exploration. Thank you to Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Julie Balen of Write at the Edge for hosting this meme.

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2016 Nonfiction 10 for 10

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I am not sure how many of you have read the The Bear Report by Thyra Heder. It isabeautiful, playful and imaginative title. And Olafur, a polar bear, is a transformative Arctic tour guide. Transformative and inspirational. This book got me thinking about how much we learn when we travel. And then I started thinking about how much we learn when we travel in a book.

And so, yes, it makes sense that a not really nonfiction book starts my post about some incredible nonfiction titles. Titles that let us travel to new places and learning through their pages. I feel that these titles do a particularly fantastic job of capturing a sense of place.

Thank you to Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Julie Balenof Write at the Edgefor hosting this meme. Click here to read all of the top ten lists shared.

This is my fourth year participating in this meme.

In the first year of #nf10for10 I shared favourite nonfiction titles - many that I have used with my class over the last few years in a variety of ways.

In the second year, I chose to focus on nonfiction picture book biographies that feature inspiring women.

Last year, I shared nonfiction titles that allow us to think about something from a completely new or different perspective.

This year my theme is about travelling the world and learning about place and more via the pages of a nonfiction picture book. These are ten ("ahem" eleven) of my favourite nonfiction titles. If I have blogged about them before, I have shared the link.

Travel to Chengdu, China when you read Jasper's Story: Saving Moon Bears written by Jill Robinson and Marc Bekoff; illustrated by Gijisbert van Frankenhuyzen (published 2013)

Jasper's story is one you just might not know and all of us should. A terrible instance of animals being captured and imprisoned so that their bile can be extracted for use in traditional Asian medicine. Jasper is a bear that was rescued by Jill Robinson (the author) and her Animals Asia team and brought to a sanctuary in China. He had been held in a cage for 15 years and was very weak and injured from so many years of cruel captivity.

Travel to Puerto Rico when you read Parrots Over Puerto Rico by Cindy Trumbore and Susan L. Roth (published in 2013) Winner of the 2014 Sibert Medal

So often when we hear about animals on the brink of extinction, there is no happy ending story to share. Here, we have a story of hope and promise. Through much hard work the endangered parrots of Puerto Rico are once again flying through the treetops. Both captive bred parrots and wild flocks are being supported by the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program. Gorgeous collage images invite you into the treetops with these beautiful birds.

Travel to Antarctica when you read Sophie Scott Goes South by Alison Lester (published in 2012)

This book defies categorization. It is a fictional story of young Sophie Scott travelling to Mawson Station in Antarctica with her father who is the captain of an icebreaker, the Aurora Australis. But it is based on the author's real experience of travelling to Antarctica. And it is full of all kinds of facts about icebergs, icebreakers, life in a research station, Antarctic animals and the history of Antarctic exploration. I'm calling it an information story book and placing it under the nonfiction umbrella.

and Shackleton's Journey by William Grill, (published in 2014)

Such a story of adventure, misadventure, perseverance and survival.

Travel to when you read Big Red Kangaroo written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Graham Byrne (first published by Walker Books Australia in 2013, first U.S. edition 2015 by Candlewick Press)

The illustrations are so unique. Dry, dust seems to float off the page. I feel like I am under a hot sun, staring at wide expanse of dry grass, with little green. There is absolute mood in these pictures. Action, drama in the simmering Australian climate. Limited colours and striking lines. A fantastic book that celebrates both kangaroos and the Australian landscape.

Travel to wooded areas of California when you read Redwoods by Jason Chin (published in 2009)

It's not just that redwood trees are majestic, this book brings some kind of added magic to learning about these forest giants. Part fantasy, part nonfiction - this title by Chin is a magical information story book. Learn about each level of the tree from small sapling to the canopy hundreds of feet off the ground in a redwood tree over 350 feet tall!

Travel to the Galapágos Islands when you read Galapágos George written by Jean Craighead George and illustrated by Wendell Minor (published in 2014)

This was a powerful read aloud in my classroom last year. This title let us talk about extinction. It allowed students to grasp the true vulnerability of so many species. We read this after reading various books about endangered animals. Reading about a special creature that actually became extinct prompted both outrage and sadness. "So many animals could disappear because of humans . . . " one child observed solemnly.

Travel to when you read about Emmanuel Ofusu Yeboah in Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah written by Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrated by Sean Qualls (published in 2015)

An inspirational biography of Emmanuel Ofusu Yeboah who rode across Ghana (more than 400 miles) to raise money for and awareness about people living with disabilities. A story of persistence, endurance and the human spirit.

Travel back to in the 1930s and learn about when you read Drum Dream Girl Dreaming: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music written by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Rafael López (published in 2015)

Millo Castro Zaldarriaga dreamed of drumming but this was not a dream for girls. This beautifully illustrated story gives us a peek into the colours of Cuba and the persistent dream of one girl to play her music.

Travel to Minnesota in the wintertime Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman and Rick Allen (published in 2014)

What about animals who must survive long winters where snow is not a novelty but a part of life? Is the snow a burden? A hardship? How do they survive? How do they adapt to the long winter months? These are questions that children will find answers to in this stunning collection of poems, lino cut prints and informative paragraphs.

Travel to when you read Puffling Patrol by Ted and Betsy Lewin (published in 2012)

An incredible story of two children on the island of Heimaey in Iceland who take part on the Puffling Patrol to assist young pufflings making their way to the sea. Unfortunately we learn in the back pages that the puffling population in Iceland is rapidly declining.

What are some of your favourite nonfiction titles that honour place?

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I am not sure how many of you have read the The Bear Report by Thyra Heder. It is a beautiful, playful and imaginative title. And Olafur, a polar bear, is a transformative Arctic tour guide. Transformative and inspirational. This book got me thinking about how much we learn when we travel.

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2015 Nonfiction 10 for 10

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Nonfiction 10 for 10 event is back for a third year! How happy am I to celebrate fantastic nonfiction picture books? Well, that is a silly question! Ecstatic of course.

Thank you to Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Julie Balenof Write at the Edgefor hosting this meme. Click here to read all of the top ten lists shared.

For the first year of #nf10for10 I shared favourite nonfiction titles - many that I have used with my class over the last few years in a variety of ways. Last year, I chose to focus on nonfiction picture book biographies that feature inspiring women.

This year I am sharing my favourite nonfiction titles that allow us to think about something from a completely new or different perspective.

These books all allow us to look at the subject in a new way. It might be offering us an alternative glimpse of an animal or phenomenon. Maybe the book answers a question you never even knew you had. Or perhaps your learning gets turned on its head. All of these books had this impact on me.

Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands by Katherine Roy

I freely admit that I think sharks are one of the most truly terrifying creatures. But this book captivated me. Its mixture of gorgeously painted illustrations, detailed relevant diagrams and the story of how the great whites who hunt in the Farallon Islands hunt so successfully, kept me reading and interested to the final pages.

Different perspective? Think about the shark beyond its frightening predator status.

How Big Were Dinosaurs? by Lita Judge

Each dinosaur featured here is drawn next to something that children already know to allow them to imagine the exact size of the dinosaur. For example, the velociraptor was only the size of a modern day dog. The image shown is of a velociraptor on a leash near by a dog also out for a walk. So engaging

Different perspective? Allows the reader to imagine what it might be like to have dinosaurs around now by providing a sense of their size in reference to what we know. Dinosaurs, for a moment, materialize beside us rather than lay down in fossilized form in a photograph or drawing.

Lyrical and visually stunning. I now love the weeds in this book but still battle with those in my garden. Those weeds that seem to always be winning. They seem to find many a way.

Different perspective? It is possible to see the beauty and the tenacity in weeds. Seeing beauty where one previously did not. I appreciated Holly Mueller's view on this book - that it lets you look at weeds as children do. First, with appreciation.

No Monkeys, No Chocolate written by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young with illustrations by Nicole Wong

What a rich engaging information story book. The reader is quickly wooed by a page of delicious desserts and treats with chocolate as a main ingredient . . . but where does chocolate come from? We travel to the rainforests of Central and South America and learn the very complicated series of natural events that make it possible to harvest the cocoa bean.

Different perspective? The amazing learning here is about how nature is not about isolated events or lone miracles but how a chain of events with each piece dependent on many others is necessary in order for things to happen. This book illustrates this to children in a way that makes this concept truly accessible and clear.

Beautiful nonfiction describing and hinting at all of the roles leaves can play - from "rain stopper" to "shade spiller" and many more.

Different perspective? The different perspective here is simple and complicated all at once - stretching the imagination. Absolutely beautiful.

The most special thing about this title is that it answers a question that few children might have imagined: How exactly do butterflies get to live exhibits in the north? Many children have been to Science Centres and Natural History Museums that might house live exhibits. Where do those butterflies come from? How do they get there? This title tells that story.

Different perspective? Poses and answers a question readers have not even entertained.

Poet and artist celebrate nature's successes. Who has been around for a long time and continues to thrive? Introduced in order of their evolutionary arrival, read poems and facts about such creatures as the squirrel, ants, geckos and diatoms. Fascinating and a lyrical experience all at once. Blending of art, poetry and nonfiction.

Different perspective? We often think about endangered animals (as we should) but this book allows us to think about those creatures and life forms that have survived and thrived. What are their secrets?

Such a beautifully written and organized book - almost like a nature journal or a scrap book. Read about sixteen birds in particular as you learn about different ways feathers are used. Perfect as an interactive read aloud experience.

Different perspective? Stretches the reader's imagination to think about various ways feathers are useful and needed for various types of birds. Many would not even have been considered.

One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley

Spectacular photographs showcasing the daily routines that many of us share - all a little different in different places but yet, so much the same.

Different perspective? The more we think we are different, the more we realize we have much in common. A wonderful reminder of this.

How do our bones function within our skeletal system? What about compared to animal skeletons. What if we didn't have certain bones or what if they were much different than they are? Can you imagine if we had extra bones attached to our spine? We'd have a tail! And what would that be like?

Different perspective? We often don't think about our bones, their purposes and what it would be like if they were different. Fascinating questions to help us learn about the body (both human and various animals).

This is a fascinating biography that not only makes math seem absolutely engrossing but gives us a glimpse into a mind that was truly one track. A beautiful balance between the mathematical life and the other life of Paul Erdos. Accessible and intriguing for younger readers/listeners. A definite book to be explored multiple times.

Different perspective? The everyday, human side of genius. Revealed that when we are really good at one thing, we may not be good at other things (like laundry).

Are there books that fit this theme for you? That transformed your thinking about something? All of these titles to me highlight the amazing power of nonfiction picture books to teach and inspire us. When we are reading and sharing these books, we are always part of the learning journey.

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Nonfiction 10 for 10 2015: Change your perspective

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Nonfiction 10 for 10 event is back for a third year! How happy am I to celebrate fantastic nonfiction picture books? Well, that is a silly question! Ecstatic of course. Thank you to Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Julie Balen of Write at the Edge for hosting this meme.

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Find the evidence to support your inferences in these books.

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Teaching to Inspire with Jennifer Findley

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Learning how to infer and back up inferences with strong evidence is such an important skill for students to master. So, of course, it is not the easiest one for them to grasp (and even sometimes enjoy). When I am teaching inferences for the first time with a group of students, I keep this in mind and choose super high-interest read alouds that my students love digging into to find evidence. This post shares my favorite inference mentor texts.

Note: The printables and activities shown with each read aloud are optional but will help you teach the lesson and use the book the way I recommend. If you wish to purchase the printables, you can find them in my Making Inferences Activities Resource pack by clicking here.

Amazon Affiliate links are included if you wish to purchase the books listed in this post through the links provided.

Two Bad Ants is perfect for introducing inference in an non-threatening way. For this lesson, I have the students infer what the ants are seeing or coming in contact with while they are in the kitchen of a house (while they are on a hunt for sugar crystals to bring back). They use evidence from both the text and the picture to back up their inference.
Click here to see Two Bad Ants on Amazon.
Another illustration-based book, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is another great starting point for making inferences. In this read aloud, a man drops off a set of pictures at a book publisher's office. The pictures only have titles and captions, but Burdick promises the stories to come if the publisher is interested. However, he is never heard from again and all that is left are the pictures. The students use the title, captions, and the illustrations to infer the story that matches the picture. They love this!
Click here to see The Mysteries of Harris Burdick on Amazon.
The Stranger is perfect for teaching inferences because the "stranger" is a mysterious figure and it is never revealed who he really is. The students must use clues to infer who he may be. Several clues throughout the story lead the students to believe that the stranger is either fall or nature in a person format. This is a great read aloud because there is so much evidence that the students can use to back up their inference.
Click here to see The Stranger on Amazon.
The Wretched Stone is a gold-mine for teaching students to infer. In the book (written as a captain's log), a captain brings a stone on board that he discovers on an uninhabited island. The crew become entranced by the "wretched stone" and lose any interest in anything but watching it.

For this read aloud, the students infer what the wretched stone is using evidence from the text. Then we take it a step further and find evidence to support inference statements that I wrote ahead of time. This takes it up a notch because they are not making their own inferences, instead they are finding evidence from the text to support someone else's inferences.
Click here to see The Wretched Stone on Amazon.
The Wreck of the Zephyr is another story that leaves the students guessing about. In the story, an old man tells the story of a sailor who once learned to sail above the water before crashing his sailboat. I use this read aloud after my students have been introduced to inferences and have experience making them.

For the lesson, my students generate their own questions before, during, and after the reading. While we are sharing our questions, we determine if the questions are literal or inferential and then answer them, or attempt to answer them accordingly.
Click here to see the Wreck of the Zephyr on Amazon.
The only book not by Chris Van Allsburg to make the list, Knock Knock: My Dad's Dreams for Me is a touching story that will resonate with many students who are being raised by a single parent. For this book, I have my students infer where the dad is or what has happened to him. Then, of course, they must use evidence from the text to support their inference.

Some inferences include:

The parents are divorced and he has moved far away.

He is in jail or prison.

He has passed away and the mother wrote the letter to the son.

Definitely use your teacher discretion on this one, but this read aloud really resonates with many students today.
Click here to see Knock Knock: My Dad's Dreams for me on Amazon.
Random Tips for Teaching Inferences

With some of my classes, I have had to do more picture inferences to ensure they understand the concept of making inferences and supporting those inferences with evidence. I use picture inference printables that are available in my Making Inferences Activities Resource mentioned at the beginning of this post.

Another problem I run in to is that I need my students to explain how their evidence supports their inference. They usually struggle with this, so I created a set of Explain Your Evidence posters, which you can grab for free here.

I prefer to teach my students to infer and cite evidence early on in the school year because its sets the foundation for so many of the other reading skills and standards. Click here to read more about how I pace my literacy standards.

What are your favorite read alouds for teaching your students to make inferences? Let me know in the comments!

More Read Aloud Blog Posts:
Read Alouds for Teaching Story Elements Back to School Read Alouds September 11 Read Alouds Halloween Read Alouds Thanksgiving Read Alouds Christmas Read Alouds Spring Read Alouds Read Alouds in Upper Elementary Planning Read Alouds in Upper Elementary
You might also enjoy these posts:

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Read Alouds for Teaching Inferences | Mentor Texts for Reading - Teaching to Inspire with Jennifer Findley

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Learning how to infer and back up inferences with strong evidence is such an important skill for students to master. So, of course, it is not the easiest one for them to grasp (and even sometimes enjoy).

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Books for teaching students how to draw conclusions.

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Teaching synthesizing? Here are some great books for teaching synthesis that can help you model and practice it with your kids or students.

Synthesizing is one of those comprehension strategies that may seem a little abstract. Simply put, synthesis just means your thinking changes as you read and add more information from the text. You may think one thing based off the cover or first few pages/chapters; but as you read on, you realize that what you originally thought might not be correct and you need to change your thinking a bit. And these books for teaching synthesizing are perfect for helping kids see how their thinking changes as they read.

*This post contains affiliate links.

While these books are great for teaching synthesizing, some have already been mentioned in our other book lists for modeling comprehension strategies with kids. That's because we seldom use one comprehension strategy in a vacuum. They compliment each other. Be sure to check out all the book list suggestions for reading comprehension strategies as well as our Reading Comprehension Strategies Series, which SHOWS you an comprehension strategy lesson in action!

Books for Teaching Synthesizing

The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury has some amazing poetry for making mental images. I like how many of the poems feature figurative language that causes kids have to synthesize as they figure out what he poem is about in the first place!

The Caterpillar and Polliwog by Jack Kent seems like such a simple book, but I have been shocked over the years of using this book at how many kids don't know what a polliwog is! As they read the book, it's fun to watch kids' thinking evolve and eventually realize that polliwog is another name for caterpillar.

Emma Kate by Patricia Polacco- Emma Kate has a best {imaginary} friend. Never mind that her friend is an elephant. Kids will wonder is the elephant real or imaginary. And, in the end, kids will learn that indeed the elephant is real. But there's a twist. The elephant isn't the imaginary friend. Emma Kate is! Such a great book for synthesizing!

Fables, like the ones found in Fables by Arnold Lobel, are a great way to stretch kids thinking beyond just the story to formulating a moral. You can find a fantastic synthesizing lesson at The Measured Mom using this book, too! Often times, I like to pick three fables {because they're short reads}, two that share a similar moral and one that does not to see if kids can find the "oddball". This is a great challenge for your advanced readers and requires the strategy of synthesizing to put it all together.

Chris Van Allsburg wins the author of synthesizing award, in my book {pun intended}. Just a Dream is written to show what could happen if we don't take care of the Earth, but his illustrations and words are brilliantly orchestrated to make kids really think.

His books often have a twist, a magical theme, a strange character, or a dream-like notion and kids have to change and add to their thinking while reading, even sometimes taking two or three reads through to figure things out. Brilliant! The Polar Express, Two Bad Ants {one of my favorites}, The Stranger, and The Wretched Stone are also AMAZING for teaching synthesis. By the way, his books are amazing for many other comprehension strategies as well!!

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles is a moving book set in 1960, the year that black children were allowed to go to "white" schools. Ruby, a 6-year-old little girl, has been chosen as one of the kids to go, but she must face an angry mob and does so with such grace. What a fantastic book to get kids engaged in what it may have been like for Ruby Bridges, making for some great text-to-text and text-to-world connections as well as a great book for teaching synthesizing.

We do not own nor have I read all the way through The Story of Jumping Mouse, but almost all of the comprehension books I have, including Reading With Meaning {geared towards K-2} include it in their section on synthesizing. In my opinion, it would work better for older students, such as middle school, as the illustrations are geared towards older kids and so is the deeper meaning behind the story.

My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza has got to be one of my favorite books for teaching inferring as well as synthesizing. Immediately, you think from the cover that it's definitely the fox's lucky day, but that little pig is sly. Even from the cover, you may notice that he doesn't look at all scared. What a FUN book to read over and over and over again!

Charlie Anderson by Barbara Abercrombie will not only get kids synthesizing and thinking throughout the book as the follow the journey of this cat who disappears during the day, it's also a good fit for asking questions. The underlying message of Charlie Anderson doesn't sit well with me {that it's a "lucky" thing to live in a divorced family}, but kids who have gone through a divorce with their parents and now have two homes may relate well with it.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is such a fun book that we often read to preschoolers and younger elementary during an apple unit, but it has a deeper meaning of friendship and selflessness that we often gloss over. Older kids can be challenged to think about the deeper themes as they read or listen to it being read aloud.

Enemy Pie by Derek Muson is such a fantastic book for many comprehension strategies, such as synthesizing. It's been one of my favorites for a long time and I LOVE reading it to kids who have never heard the story. When a bully (Jeremy Ross) moves into the neighborhood, the young boy's summer is ruined. That is until the young boy's father says he can help get rid of the bully (enemy) by making him some enemy pie. The boy and readers wonder: What is "enemy pie" and how does it work? Will it get rid of enemies? What does it taste like? I always plan specific stopping places to discuss what kids are thinking in this book, because it can change throughout.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is one of those nail-biters that you just can't put down, at least I couldn't. It's similar to a mystery {I suggested several mystery series in my questioning book list} that really gets kids thinking. What will Brian do? How will be survive? Will he ever be found? Oh, love this book. But I will say, that I've never read it to a child younger than 5th grade because it does have some flashbacks that I would say are more for older readers related to his mom's boyfriend and his mom and dad's divorce.

More Comprehension Resources & Book Lists:

Enjoy!

~Becky

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Teaching synthesizing? Here are some great books for teaching synthesis that can help you model and practice it with your kids or students. Synthesizing is one of those comprehension strategies that may seem a little abstract. Simply put, synthesis just means your thinking changes as you read and add more information from the text.

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Books that promote persistence and overcoming failure.

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18 Perfect Read-Alouds for Teaching Growth Mindset

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Picture books and chapter books

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Picture books, poetry, easy readers, chapter books and much more!

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I love to help my fellow moms and dads find great books for kids and every Monday I share a list of our favorite reads. If you are looking for picture books to read aloud, chapter books to enjoy together or books for your emerging reader, I have a book list that will help you.

Be sure to scroll down the page to find what you are looking for. Book lists are grouped by type and age range.

If you'd like to keep up with our book lists, please join our email list.

As a bribe thank you I even have a special printable bookplate for your kids to color and affix inside their books. You will receive a weekly newsletter that arrives in your inbox, so not only will you get the book lists, but also our indoor activity ideas, parenting thoughts and game suggestions.

Picture books are an amazing way to inspire your kids to look at the world from new perspectives. They introduce vocabulary, ideas and spark the imagination. Reading out loud to your kids from day one sets them up for success. And don't forget, picture books are not just for little kids. Read picture books to upper elementary and middle school kids (dare I say teenagers, too?) and your whole family reap the benefits.

Inspiring picture books:

These are picture book lists that will inspire kids to create, dream and spread kindness in their community.

Picture books about integrity & emotions:

Values

Emotional Life

Community

Books for Toddlers and Babies:

Multicultural and diverse picture books:

Please note that I make a concerted attempt to make sure all my book lists are diverse and feature protagonists from all walks of life; these are book lists specifically targeted at diversity.

For diverse holiday books, scroll down to the bottom of this page.

General Themes

By Identity

By Age

Picture Books about Social Issues

Seasonal-Based Picture Books:

For holiday themed picture book lists scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Fantasy Themed Picture Books

General Picture Books (Must Read, Gift Guides, Etc.):

Other Themed Picture Book Lists:

Are you looking for picture books about a particular topic? Dragons, moons, snow, math or picnics, for example? I try to find out-of-the-box topics as well as more common ones. I take the time to read all the books I recommend so I know you will love them too.

Picture Books about Concepts

I don't have a big range of books about concepts because they can widely be found elsewhere. Concept books are frequently used to teach preschoolers and elementary-aged kids. For example, books about colors, shapes or letters and numbers fall into this category. I have a handful of concept book lists to choose from below:

Favorite Books of the Year

In the past I have shared 1-4 lists each year of my favorite newly published picture books. I'm sort of a nerd when it comes to following the latest publication trends and I love to apprise you of my findings! The book on these lists stand the test of time, and even though the lists may be a few years old, the children's picture books on them are still worth reading.

Poetry

I have a huge soft spot for poetry but I know it can be a tricky thing to love for many people. That's why if you are new to poetry, I advise you approach poetry with baby steps. No need to start with Byron. My goal is for you and your family to come to learn to love poetry and I'm confident these books will do the trick!

First read:

Then read:

Folktales

Reading folktales to my kids has opened my heart and mind to the splendid power of traditional story telling. There is a reason why these tales have survived through the centuries. Folktale books speak to everyone, no matter what his or her age. I know you and your kids will adore these comforting and thought-provoking folktale picture books.

Easy readers are books for kids who are learning how to read. But so many of them are torturously bad! If you are tired of listening to your kids sound out books about Thomas the Train and Dora check out some of these selections, instead. (But, please, never criticize your child's reading selections to them!)

These books are for kids who have graduated past easy readers but are not yet ready for middle grade fiction. The age range for these books is approximately 6-10 years and each list has books in the easy to challenging range.

Parents looking for this type of book will find my parent tips for choosing early chapter books useful.

Early Chapter Books by Interest

Early Chapter Books by Protagonist

Early Chapter Books by Genre

Read Alike Early Chapter Books

General

Middle grade books are aimed at kids ages 8 to 13. Think: A Wrinkle in Time, Harry Potter and Holes. ( See also, "READ ALOUDS", below)

Read Alike Middle Grade Books

I aim to go beyond the usual suspects and recommend thrilling books to your kids who have been turned on to reading through a favorite series.

Books by Age:

These age categories are not mutually exclusive so don't feel restricted to any one list based on your child's age! They are often based on what my son was reading at that age.

Books by Grade:

Other Themed Middle Grade Books Lists

These themed book lists range from narrow interests ( like princesses!) to more general "favorites" book lists. Don't see the theme you are looking for? Email me!

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Funny

Mystery

Adventure

Hobbies and Interests

General Interest

Diverse and Multicultural Middle Grade Books

Note that I attempt to make all my themed and age-range lists inclusive of a variety of experiences. These lists simple focus on a more narrow cultural, social or ethnic identity.

General

By Identity

Books about Tough Subjects

I did a series of lists featuring 20th century book and chose 10 books for each decade. I selected a few well-known books, but primarily included lesser known titles to expose kids ( and parents) to books they may otherwise have missed. The books range from early chapter books to middle grade fiction. UPDATE: I'm now working through the decades with picture books.

By Age

Graphic Novels by Type

These are books I've singled out that are wonderful to read together. Children are able to understand read alouds at a higher level than their reading level. If you have kids with a large age gap, try my parent tips for reading to differently-aged kid s.

Of course, all these books can be read independently, as well. Amy of Sunlit Pages wrote a wonderful guest post for me about helping young children learn to love chapter books.

Read Aloud by Age/Grade

Ages are general suggestions, not limiting recommendations.

Other Themed Read Aloud Books

Seasonal Family Read Alouds

Seasonal book lists are some of my favorites to curate! Inclusion on one of these lists doesn't necessarily mean the book is about that season, just that I believe reading the book aloud evokes the feeling of that season. In addition, these lists include some of our all time favorite read aloud books. Cozy up!

Monthly Family Read Alouds

Each book list in this series includes picture books, chapter books and poetry -- all perfect for reading aloud to the kids during the year.

Is a holiday coming up? I've got a few suggestions! I put my best effort into making sure each of these holiday book lists contains a diverse selection of titles.

Spring Holidays

Summer Holidays

Fall Holidays

Winter Holidays

These books range from picture books to middle grade nonfiction. I've included biographies in this category, as well. I am definitely a fiction reader but this is a kids book lists category I am looking to expand. Email me with your suggestions!

Biographies and History

Women's History

Presidents

Diverse History

Math, Nature and Science Books

Math

Science

Environment, Animals

Humans

Space

Misc. Nonfiction

Don't forget! If you don't want to miss my weekly book list ( or other parenting and kid activity ideas) you can subscribe to receive email updates.
Please note: I strongly advocate you check out books from the library! However, all of my book lists contain affiliate links.

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Find a book on any topic with this huge collection of book lists for kids, from folktales to poetry, classics and chapter books.

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Here are 24 chapter book series that not only are just right for third graders but that they’ll LOVE to read.

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What are the best book series for 3rd graders? Here are 25 chapter book series that not only are just right for third graders but that they'll LOVE to read.

(For those of you not in the U.S., third grade is generally 8-year olds.)

-> ALL book recommendations for 8 year olds (3rd grade) here.

24 Book Series 3rd Graders Love to Read

Bad Kittyby Nick Bruel HUMORIn a word: Hilarious. We all think Bad Kitty is very naughty. But, oh so funny. These books are addictive to read and fun to reread. Boxed set here.

Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #2: Amelia Bedelia Unleashed by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril REALISTIC
I've been enjoying these updated Amelia chapter books by the original author's son. In this story, Amelia searches for the perfect puppy in her charming, Amelia Bedelia way.

by Max Brallier, illustrated by Rachel Maguire and Nichole Kelley SCI-FI / HUMOR
If you like non-stop action, potty humor, space adventures, zombie aliens, mutant worm wrestling, a misunderstood evil princess, good friends, video games, and a diabolical, hunting-them-down evil queen, then this series is for you. Plus, it has loads of cartoon illustrations throughout and hilarious writing with a kazillion exclamation marks!!!! (If you like this, you'll want to read book 2,The Weiner Strikes Back.)

by Ursula Vernon FANTASY
Hysterical! I couldn't stop laughing! This is fantastic series for 3rd graders about Danny Dragonbreath and the crazy adventures he has with his friends.

Whatever After by Sarah MlynowskiFANTASY / HUMOR
Once upon a time, a regular girl and her brother accidentally went into a fairy tale. And messed it all up. (Whoops.) Now they have to fix the story before the ending gets changed. We love all the books in this series!

My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish by Mo O'Hara HUMOR
Hysterical and totally believable, right? This is what happens if your goldfish dies and you bring him back to life. But your goldfish becomes a zombie that can mesmerize you with his powerful eyes, making you do anything he wants. Aaaah! Check outThe SeqQuel here.

I Survived by Lauren Tarshis HISTORICAL FICTION
The I Survived series are excellent, fast-paced adventures set during significant historical events. Your kids will zip through these short, can't-put-it-down books. The stories always are about a young person trying to survive the historically important, life-changing event such as the Titanic, Hurricane Katrina, Pearl Harbor, Nazi Invasion, and the Hindenburg crash. You'll probably want to get a box set so your kids can immerse themselves in this series.

by Lincoln Peirce HUMOR
We LOVE this series - each book will keep your kids laughing. The funny plots are about Nate's life at home and school, which are totally relatable to any kid, especially boys. Some, like this one are written in a combo of text and comics while others are straight graphic novels likeBig Nate Welcome to My World. Box set here.

Get to Work, Hercules! (Myth-O-Mania) by Kate McMullan HUMOR MYTHHades narrates the "TRUE" stories of the Greek Myths with panache and humor. Apparently, his younger brother Zeus is a big fat liar and edited all the myths to make himself look good. In this updated myth, Hades watches over his young, not-too-smart nephew, Hercules whom Hera has it out for. 3rd graders Your kids are going to LOVE these books! My library can't keep them on the shelves.

Doodle Adventures: The Search for Slimy Space Slugs! by Mike Lowery INTERACTIVE SCI-FI
These books invite YOU the reader to help solve the mysteries with your own bravery, heroism and imaginative drawing. Yes, drawing. For example, in this story, you'll make sure (by drawing) that you've got a spacesuit, you've packed everything you need to bring, the rocket design is perfect plus has some silly (bandages!?) extras, and lots more as the adventure ensues. It may sound contrived but it's a fun, engaging adventure that any kid, artist or not, will love. And there is MORE in the series! Also read:The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate! and The Rise of Rusty-Robo-Cat!.

The Year of the Book by Andrea Chang REALISTIC
Growing up is challenging and in the first novel, The Year of the Book, Anna turns to books for company while she learns how to make friendships in real life. The subsequent books in the series are just as realistic and well-written. I highly recommend them & love the diversity of the main character.

by Jim Benton
Franny is not a normal kid but a mad scientist. We love these stories that are wacky and laugh-out-loud funny sharing the many unfortunate antics of Franny. (Also Read: STEAM and STEM Chapter Books for Kids)

by Herobrine Books
Short sentences with witty observations on life from the perspective of a Minecraft zombie will crack you up. These diaries are entertaining, funny reads. Nothing scary. Perfect for any Minecraft enthusiasts.

Star Wars Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown SCI-FI / HUMOR
Engaging from the first page, this is a relatable (and funny) graphic novel adventure story about a young boy, Roan, who dreams of becoming a pilot . . . but gets into Jedi school instead. He's the oldest new student, everyone else started long before him. Roan has ups and downs, as one does at a new school, but finds his place at the school and new friends.

The Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke HUMOR
The Zita books rock - they're full of adventure, humor, and fantastic characters!! Zita is an awesome, courageous problem-solving heroine who accidentally gets stuck in space. In this third book of the trilogy, our beloved Zita is in jail. (Gasp!) Not only does she need to escape because of course, she didn't do it, she must stop her evil jailer from taking over the world.

by Ron Roy MYSTERY
The A to Z Mysteries series rocks! None of the books need to be read in any particular order, each has a self-contained mystery. (I think my kids read most of the books in this series more than once, they are that good.) In this story the famous writer that is coming to the bookstore doesn't show up. Dink and his friends, Josh and Ruth Rose, must find out what happened and where the author is.

by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver REALISTIC

Hank's brain freezes up when he talks to people - and when he tries out for his class play. That's why he gets the part of the bookmark. But, when the lead actor flubs his lines, Hank jumps in to save the play from disaster. I love Hank's relatable character to whom learning doesn't come easily, it's a easy to read, well-written beginning illustrated chapter book series for readers transitioning to longer chapter books. See also: A Short Tale About a Long Dog #2, Stop That Frog! #3, and Fake Snakes and Weird Wizards #4.

by Louis Sachar HUMOR
Old school humor at it's best! These goofy books describe a wacky school with crazy teachers and even crazier events. Be ready to laugh.

Dragon Slayer's Academy by Kate McMullan FANTASY
When a traveling minstrel foretells that he is to become a hero, Wiglaf sets out to fulfill his destiny: he signs up at the Dragon Slayers' Academy. But how can he ever hope to be a dragon slayer when he can't even stand the sight of blood? Very funny.

by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise MYSTERY
Written in letters, drawings, newspaper articles, and other unique texts, accompanied by illustrations, you'll find this is a mesmerizing series about an old man named Ignatius B. Grumply and the ghosts that live in his home. Surprisingly not scary and quite punny, this was a favorite series for my 3rd grader.

Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab by Science Bob Pflugfleder and Steve Hockensmith MYSTERY
Siblings Nick and Tesla are shipped off to live with their mad-scientist Uncle Newt for the summer while their parents are . . . doing something with soy beans in Uzbekistan. When left to fend for themselves, they discover something very suspicious happening at the old mansion down the street, more than just losing their rocket in that yard. If you like science, technology, and adventure, this is the series for you. (Also read: STEAM and STEM Chapter Books for Kids)

Ranger in Time #1: Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner, illustrated by Kelley McMorris HISTORICAL FICTION
Ranger, a golden retriever trained for search-and-rescue, travels back to the Oregon Trail to help a family in need. It's a good fictional introduction to the ups and downs of traveling on the Oregon Trail. The Ranger books are all set in different historical event.

The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler MYSTERY
My 3rd grade daughter and I loved this entertaining mystery series about a boy ghost, Kaz, who is blown away from his family and into a new haunt - a library. In this first story, he and his new friend, Claire, decide to be detectives. They want to discover the secret of the other ghost haunting the library plus find his missing family.

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell REALISTIC / HUMOR
My daughter read this first and begged me to read it immediately. It's SO funny! And, you can learn some valuable cow trivia. But, it's mostly the hilarious adventure of two pranksters who eventually work together to pull off the biggest prank of all time - a prank that will ensure they get April Fool's Day off from school.

Secrets of the Manor: Claire's Story, 1910 by Adele Whitby HISTORICAL MYSTERY
This is a captivating story about an orphan girl who moves to France to live with friends of her family. She befriends a servant girl and the duo realize there are mysteries that must be answered - like what happened to the daughter of the manor and why did her parents send her to this family. An excellent first book in a new series for 3rd graders.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo HUMOR
Mercy lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson. They feed her buttered toast and take her for drives in their convertible. One night, Mercy gets scared and decides to sleep with Mr. and Mrs. Watson. Can you imagine what happens next? Hilarious and quirky, this is a fun series filled with many amazing adventures.

by Ursula Vernon FAIRY TALE
Princess Harriet is the COOLEST heroine in this Sleeping Beauty 2.0. She's thrilled to know she'll fall into a deep sleep when she's twelve because that means she can do anything crazy and dangerous without dying. In fact, she searches out danger and the results are hilariously entertaining. The other books in this fairy tales with a twist series are just as remarkable. You'll love the quirky humor.

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall HUMORGet ready to laugh along with these charming young friends who won't stop until they find the best way to solve their perplexing troubles, no matter how many ideas they must try. A fantastic series for third graders.

See all book recommendations for 8-year olds here.

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24 Book Series 3rd Graders Love to Read | Imagination Soup

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What are the best book series for 3rd graders? Here are 25 chapter book series that not only are just right for third graders but that they'll LOVE to read. (For those of you not in the U.S., third grade is generally 8-year olds.) -> ALL book recommendations for 8 year olds (3rd grade) here.

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Rhyme, description, adjectives, and onomatopoeia are all areas you can cover as you celebrate poetry.

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Celebrating Picture Book Poetry in the Classroom | Scholastic

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I feel as though I should write you an ode or limerick to start off your poetry month celebrations, but rather than torture you with a variation of a "roses are red" poem, I'm going to give you some great titles and resources to use in your classroom.

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Books and stories that have a clear problem and solution text structure

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When teaching kids how to comprehend and/or write fiction text, often times it's good to start with books and stories that have a clear problem and solution text structure.

This means that the story line introduces characters and a problem at the beginning -> the character(s) try to solve the problem in the middle, which rises to a climax -> and at the end, the problem is solved, with the "good" guy winning.

The determining importance post, from our Reading Comprehension Series, has a great visual to SHOW this progression in fiction text. We also have lots of free, graphic organizers for fiction text structure here.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Books with a Clear Problem and Solution Structure

Today, I'm sharing 16 of our favorite books that feature a clear problem and solution structure to help kids see how fiction texts are often composed. By the way, these texts aren't just great for comprehension, but can also be used to help kids WRITE their own fiction stories as well, an extra bonus!

by Bernard Waber is about boy named Ira, who becomes anxious quite about what his friend, Reggie, will think of him if he brings his teddy bear over to spend the night. This is a GREAT book for teaching text-to-self connections as well as the problem and solution text structure.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina is such a fun and interactive book about a peddler who gets his caps stolen by a bunch of monkeys. He tries, in anger, to get his caps back, only to be mocked by the monkeys. What will he do to get all those caps back? Such a simple solution that kids may be able to predict as they read along.

Mo Willems is one of my kids' favorite authors. Knuffle Bunny was probably the first book they were introduced to by him. Trixie and Daddy take a trip to the laudromat. On the way home, Trixie realizes Knuffle Bunny has been left behind. Follow the journey of Trixie and Daddy as they try to get Knuffle Bunny back. There are more Knuffle Bunny adventures including Knuffle Bunny Too, but I warn you to keep a tissue box handy when you read Knuffle Bunny Free.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig is about a donkey named Sylvester who finds a magic pebble. Just then, a lion comes to attack him and he wishes to be a rock. Sylvester is changed into a rock, but he can no longer hold the magic pebble to wish himself back into his usual form. His family looks high and low for him and is eventually returned to his family. William Steig has such a way with words and his books can fit into multiple comprehension strategies, such as asking questions.

Enemy Pie by Derek Muson is such a fantastic book for many comprehension strategies. It's been one of my favorites for a long time and I LOVE reading it to kids who have never heard the story. When a bully (Jeremy Ross) moves into the neighborhood, the young boy's summer is ruined. That is until the young boy's father says he can help get rid of the bully (enemy) by making him some enemy pie. The boy wonders: What is "enemy pie" and how does it work? Will it get rid of enemies? What does it taste like? Will "enemy pie" solve all his problems?

Camilla worries about what others think of her so much that on the first day of school, she wakes up with a bad case of the stripes...and much more! Her body adds on the ailments of every fear she has until a kind, old lady helps her to learn that it's okay to just be herself. A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon has an explicit external conflict, but kids have to read "in between the lines" to get the internal problem Camilla faces and eventually conquers.

The Stray Dog by Marc Simont is one of the books we used an example for our determining importance post with fiction. A family goes for a nice picnic away from the city only to meet a cute, stray dog. They leave the park without the dog, but think about him all week. The next weekend, the family returns to the park, hoping that the stray dog will show up again. He does, but now they have another obstacle to overcome. Such a cute book and one that requires kids to pay attention to the story that the pictures also tell.

If I had a dollar for every Elephant & Piggie book we've read {and re-read} this school year, I'd be rich! 🙂 All of his books contain a clear problem and solution format, but in such a fun and playful way that kids WANT to read these. While the words are written for the 1st grade level, older kids will enjoy them, too. Waiting is Not Easy! is one of Mo Willems' newest Elephant & Piggie books and was also featured in our determining importance post with fiction from our Reading Comprehension Series.

More Book Lists You May Enjoy:

~Becky

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This book list features fiction texts that have a clear problem and solution structure to them, perfect for teaching fiction comprehension and writing!

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Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

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To say the least, I have A LOT of favorite picture books. {You can also see our Favorite Picture Books for Pre-K/K.} And once again, it was hard to narrow down our absolute favorite picture books for K-2nd grade. Many of these are texts that have such rich content, that I have used them over and over again for teaching comprehension strategies. And some are just favorites of our family. Be sure to share your favorite picture books in the comments, too!

*This post contains affiliate links.

The first book on my list is one that I always used on the first day of school or my first session of private tutoring to introduce myself to my students. Why? Because Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? is one of my Top 10 favorite books. Sharing one of your favorite books is a great way to show students what you like and your sense of humor. My own 3rd grader knows this book well and even knows what a record player is (as it it mentioned in the book.) So, would you like to purchase a cheap rhinoceros?

The Empty Pot is one of those books that just touches your heart! Ping loves flowers and has such a green thumb. He is summoned by the Emperor as are all the other children in the kingdom. The Emperor needs a successor and whoever can grow the most beautiful flower will be chosen. The children all have one year to grow the most beautiful flower in the kingdom. But Ping's seed will not even sprout, despite his best attempts to care for it. When the year is up, he is the only one with an empty pot. What will Ping do? Will he even go the Emperor? Oh, what a great life lesson this book teaches.

Two Bad Ants...what will they do that's so bad? This is a FANTASTIC book for helping kids infer as Chris Van Allsburg's images and text work together, leaving readers clues as to what these bad ants are up to. I have yet to read this text to a child who figures it out right away and it's SO FUN to watch the light bulb come on as the clues keep coming.

The Important Book is a different kind of picture book because it's not a complete story. Each page tells a little story of its own in poetic form and helps kids to determine what is truly important, beginning with basic objects like a spoon. It's a great book that begs a writing activity afterwards, too. 😉

William Steig has such a way with words! When teaching vocabulary, we want to focus on Tier 2 words {useful vocabulary words}. In every book he writes, William Steig includes so many of them. Doctor De Soto, an animal dentist, and his little wife are asked to treat a fox with a bad toothache. How will he and his wife outsmart the fox? This one keeps kids guessing.

Ira Sleeps Over is a wonderful little bedtime book that even 2nd graders can relate with. Ira becomes anxious about what his friend, Reggie, will think of him if he brings his teddy bear over to spend the night. This is a GREAT book to teach text-to-self connections, an important comprehension strategy for readers.

The Stinky Cheese Man {and Other Fairly Stupid Tales} is one that I like to read to 1st or 2nd graders AFTER they are familiar with the original fairy tales, such as The Gingerbread Man, Jack and the Beanstalk, or The Tortoise and the Hare. The favorite story in our house has got to be The Stinky Cheese Man, as he never is chased by any of the characters because of his stinky odor.

. The title alone is brilliant! I simply adore this book. It is chalk FULL of imagery, helping kids use their five senses to comprehend what they are reading. The metaphor that stands out the most is how the snow gleams "whiter than the milk in a cereal bowl". This one is perfect for any time of year, but especially in the deep winter.

Max Lucado is a well-known writer in the Christian realm. His children's books are well-written and always contain a moral or lesson kids can relate to. Even though he is a Christian and the theme running through all of his books is Christian, it is subtle, so his books could be read in a church setting or in a public school setting. You are Special is my favorite one of all the ones we own. I love how Eli, the woodcarver, explains to Punchinello that he is special, despite all the the gray dots he has been given by the other wooden Wemmick people. It seriously brings tears to my eyes each time I read it. Such good stuff for any young child to hear. They ARE special!

Anansi the Spider is an African tale that is that is humorous and enjoyable for kids. Anansi is a wise spider who is always able to out-smart his foes. Using quality literature, especially engaging texts like Anansi the Spider, is a great way to teach kids about different cultures and the history behind them. We have read several of the Anansi books. And although they are not all written by the same author, the ones we have read have also been favorites.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. A common phrase out of my mouth on those tough days as a mom is, "I think I'll move to Australia." The thing I love about this book is that it isn't all happy and rosy and kids (adults, too) can relate to the way that nothing goes Alexander's way all day long. 🙂 While this is Viorst's most popular book, we have also enjoyed her other books, particularly Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday when we were learning about counting money.

While this is not a new book, it is a newer favorite at our house. There is seldom a day that has gone by in the last couple of months that I haven't been asked to read it. A Bad Case of the Stripes has a great theme. Be yourself. You are unique and you don't have to be like everyone else. It reminds me of several other books that fit the same theme, including Oliver Button is a Sissy, Amazing Grace, You are Special (mentioned above), and Chrysanthemum, just to name a few.

My Lucky Day. Oh, this book is hilarious! It is the perfect text for predicting AND helping kids infer what is happening based on facial expressions. And boy, does Mr. Fox have some. Even though I've read this book a million times, I laugh each time I read it. It's also a GREAT book for working on reading with expression. So, whose lucky day is it? It may not turn out like it appears on the cover... 🙂

is SUCH a fantastic book that has a GREAT story line and a great meaning underneath. When a bully (Jeremy Ross) moves into the neighborhood, the young boy's summer is ruined. That is until the young boy's father says he can help get rid of the bully (enemy) by making him some enemy pie. The boy wonders: What is "enemy pie" and how does it work? Will it get rid of enemies? What does it taste like? Does it have worms? The boy will just have to find out when his enemy eats it!

This fictional story of Booker T. Washington, More Than Anything Else, is compelling and moving. More than anything else, he wants to learn to read and write. He sees others do it is highly determined that he can, too. This is a great one for struggling readers because they can sometimes relate to the character. And I love how it helps kids understand the situation so many people were in after emancipation.

The War Between the Vowels and the Consonants is such a cute story that plays on the relationship that vowels and consonants have with one another. It is humorous and full of puns related to letters, their roles, and their sounds. Will the vowels and consonants ever become allies and learn to work together? Yes, but in such a clever way!

Tikki Tikki Tembo. Another one I remember well as a child. And when you can still pronounce his name is an adult, you know the book left a lasting impression! Kids will LOVE learning his long name and chanting it along with you as you read.

What picture books would you include on your favorite list?

Visit all the book lists in this series by clicking here or on the image above.

Read Aloud Ideas for ANY Age:
Follow This Reading Mama's board Read Aloud Resources on Pinterest.
~Becky

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To say the least, I have A LOT of favorite picture books. {You can also see our Favorite Picture Books for Pre-K/K.} And once again, it was hard to narrow down our absolute favorite picture books for K-2nd grade. Many of these are texts that have such rich content, that I have used them over and ...

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Are you looking for some easy readers that your learners will WANT to read? You'll find exactly what you're looking for with this easy reader book list!

*This post contains affiliate links.

While I believe in the power of phonics readers (like our Word Family Books, The Measured Mom's phonics readers, or the ), there's something truly "magical" to be said about these easy reader books that can really turn young readers on.

Maybe it's the fact that the words aren't so controlled, giving the author more freedom with a fun storyline. Maybe it's being able to read a book for yourself that you've actually seen your parent/teacher read before {It's a "real" book, as my 1st grader says.}. Those two factors alone are amazing motivators for beginning readers.

Easy Readers Kids Will WANT to Read

As my daughter {age 6} is moving more into these easy readers, I've been gathering all our easy readers from around the house for her. I thought I'd gather them up here in one post and share them, just in case you teach a beginning reader, too!

As you're reading with your learner, you may want to keep my Word Attack Stratgies freebie close by! It has helpful strategies for some of those unknown words.

by Chris Raschka - This is a book I have used for YEARS in teaching fluency and expression to readers, especially struggling readers. Much has to be inferred from the pictures for kids to read with expression, which makes it kind of fun. I like to share the reading, as I read one character and the young reader reads the other character. {While it's difficult to find, your beginning reader may also like }

by Sue Williams - This book is very similar to Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, but I like how this book gives the reader hints as to what the next animal on the farm will be.

by Jan Thomas - The first time I saw this book, it was a done deal. I had to buy it. This was a favorite for my son as he was a beginning reader. Poor Bob. He's accused of not being able to rhyme, but there's a GOOD reaason! Readers will also love other Jan Thomas books like The Doghouse and What Will Fat Cat Sit On?

by Pat Hutchins - Filled with prepositional phrases and a the whole story told through the pictures, will Rosie outsmart the fox?

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis- Most kids have a wild imagination and so does the pig in this cute book. Such simple text, yet fun to read. My beginning readers have also adored Not a Stick, so be sure to grab a copy of both!

by Cindy Ward {illustrations by Tomie DePaola} - If you young reader likes mischevious cats, (s)he'll enjoy Cookie's Week! This is also a great book for integrating the days of the week.

by Anna Kang - Such a creative and brilliant way to use limited vocabulary in a book. The characters repeat many of the same words in an argument about who is big and small. Your young readers may also like That's Not Mine.

What this Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virjan - Somewhat similar to Green Eggs and Ham {just not near as long}, this rhyming book is adorable. Pig doesn't want all his friends in his boat or does he? This author has other What This Story Needs Is... books your reader may like, too!

Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems - No easy reader list is complete without Elephant and Piggie Books! 🙂 They are SO fun for young readers & the adults listening! Can I Play, Too? and A Big Guy Took my Ball are the two of the easiest books in his HUGE collection. {Be warned: Once your beginning reader gets a taste of Mo Willems, she will want more!}

Go, Dogs, Go! by P.D. Eastman - While the book is a little long, it's a fun read for those beginning readers!

Looking for more? Don't miss all our other book lists!

Enjoy!
~Becky

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Easy Readers Kids will WANT to Read - This Reading Mama

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Are you looking for some easy readers that your learners will WANT to read? You'll find exactly what you're looking for with this easy reader book list! *This post contains affiliate links. While I believe in the power of phonics readers (like our Word Family Books, The Measured Mom's phonics readers, or the BOB Books), ...

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Posted by The Reading Mama

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Over the years, I've had the privilege of teaching in the classroom, being a private reading tutor, and homeschooling my own children. In all of those roles, I have been introduced to some fantastic books that have become favorites of mine {and favorites of my students/own children}.

In this 5-day series, I will be posting different kinds of texts for kids, from babies and toddlers to 5th graders. All of these make great read aloud texts. Depending on the age and development of your reader, these can also make for reading independent material for your students/children.

These are quality books that are new favorites or old favorites we have enjoyed reading over and over in different capacities. Some are texts I have memorized because I've read them so much!

Our Favorite Book Lists:

{as each goes live, the link will be clickable}
Day 1- Favorite Non-Fiction Books Day 2- Favorite Books for Babies and Toddlers Day 3- Favorite Picture Books for Preschool and Kindergarten Day 4- Favorite Picture Books for Kindergarten through 2nd Grades Day 5 Favorite Chapter Books for 2nd/3rd Grades Favorite Chapter Books for 4th/5th Grades
Choosing Books for Kids

I'm quite picky when I buy books for my kids. I hoard collect texts rich in vocabulary, with stunning images, filled with facts, or containing a great story line. Many of these are Caldecott or Newberry award winners. Some are older and a few might be new to you. You won't find licensed character books in this list, as I don't consider these to be high quality. We have very few of these in our house and the ones we own have been gifts from other people. While I'm not including every single book we love, I'm including our top picks for nonfiction and for the ages of tots through 5th grades.

My hope is that you can use these book lists as a resource for library trips, birthdays or when Christmas rolls around. Please remember that every child is different. Just because one child loves a particular book doesn't mean every child will. And this can differ within the same family as well. Finding texts that kids can read that line up with that child's interest is key to choosing books for kids.

My Favorite Place to Collect Reading Resources:

Follow This Reading Mama's board Read Aloud Resources on Pinterest.

Follow This Reading Mama's board Reading Resources and Tips on Pinterest. Follow This Reading Mama's board Reading Resources for Older Readers on Pinterest.
Enjoy!
~Becky

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Our Favorite Books {Tots through Chapter Books}

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Over the years, I've had the privilege of teaching in the classroom, being a private reading tutor, and homeschooling my own children. In all of those roles, I have been introduced to some fantastic books that have become favorites of mine {and favorites of my students/own children}.

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Get them hooked on reading!

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In about the second grade, kids typically are ready to start reading chapter books themselves. Today, I'm sharing our favorite chapter books for young readers (around 2nd and 3rd grade). Some of these are my favorite chapter books from childhood, some are ones I used often as a reading tutor, and others are ones we've discovered and enjoyed in our home. Some fit all three categories. 🙂

In this book list, you will find fiction chapter books. If you are looking for nonfiction texts, you may want to check out my Nonfiction Books Series, where I've included a few chapter books. If you have older readers, visit our Favorite Chapter Books for 4th and 5th grades.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Benefits of Using Chapter Books Series

Have you ever found an author you just love? You love the author's writing style and amazing story lines? His or her books just draw you in. That's what we also want for kids. All kids benefit from book series, but especially struggling readers. Why? I think there are two main reasons:

1. When kids are familiar with the author's style, the author's organization, and the characters, it makes frees the mind of the struggling reader to focus on comprehension of the text.

2. Struggling readers often times become reluctant or even resistant readers. This happens primarily because they are asked to read texts that are too difficult for them; or we ask them to read books that are of no interest to them (hence the need for "just right" books.) Interest is a huge motivator for any learner. HUGE. Did I mention huge? And when struggling readers, who are accustomed to reading texts of no interest or that are too difficult for them, hook into a series of high interest AND on their reading level, it is a BIG DEAL. I seriously celebrate with the reader when this happens.

Favorite Chapter Books & Series for 2nd & 3rd grades

Henry and Mudge is a great place to start with early chapter books. As a matter of fact, some readers may be ready for them in the 1st grade. The lovable characters of Henry and Mudge combined with their adventures is a great combination.

Frog and Toad books are another great resource for kids in late 1st grade, early 2nd grade. I wouldn't necessarily call them "chapter books" in the true sense because each "chapter" is a different story. Kids do enjoy the charming stories of Frog and Toad.

by James Marshall fit right in there with Frog and Toad books as not always being true "chapter books", but kids still do enjoy these at an early age.

Just like you have Henry and Mudge, you also have Mr. Putter & Tabby. Another perfect chapter book series for kids who are ready for them. Note that 1st graders may also be ready for this series.

The Cam Jansen series is the perfect introduction to mysteries. Cam ("The Camera") has a photographic mind and uses it to solve crimes and problems. I personally love that the characters are in the 5th grade, yet the text in on a 2nd grade level. Because of this, older struggling readers tend to be more accepting of reading these texts. For readers who aren't ready to read the Cam Jansen series, there's also a Young Cam Jansen series.

The Magic Tree House series is one of those well-known favorites for many kids. Around the middle of 2nd grade, kids are typically ready to read them with independence. I started reading them aloud to my kids when they were in Kindergarten. You will want to read these in order, especially at first, as it takes a few books before all the important characters are fully explained. The chapters are well written and created little cliff hangers so kids with WANT to keep reading.

The Ivy + Bean books are a great series about two best friends who team up together and solve problems and accomplish great things together. Is there anything Ivy and Bean can't do? Obviously, girls would probably be most drawn to this series.

Encyclopedia Brown has been around for quite a few years. I remember reading a few as a child. I think that mysteries are such a fantastic way to get kids thinking and problem solving as they work alongside Encyclopedia Brown to solve the mysteries.

June B. Jones is such a hilariously funny character that you can't help but fall in love with. No matter where I've read her texts, I'm always greeted with, "Read more. Don't stop." She does use words like hate and stupid, but I typically skip over those when reading aloud to younger students. Many kids can relate to the way she words things and the trouble she gets in.

If you were a fan of when you were younger, you may just want to try Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew. Carolyn Keene has come back with a newer version, with many of the same characters that your kids are sure to be drawn to as they solve mysteries together.

My 3rd grade son is in the middle of an A to Z Mysteries book right now. Follow the three main characters as they solve mysteries. Are you seeing a pattern here with all these mysteries? Mysteries are a GREAT way to help kids see how fiction stories are constructed (a.k.a. text structure.)

I would say that is kind of like the male version of Junie B. Jones. Kids will relate to this lighthearted and fun character who is always getting himself in trouble and saying things he wished he hadn't said.

The Judy Moody books are the perfect step up from the Junie B. Jones books. Judy Moody books have a great story line, are engaging, and funny. I think it is important, however, to make sure kids understand that just because Judy Moody behaves a certain way or talks to her family in a disrespectful way at times, that doesn't make it okay for our kids to do this.

is the shortest kid that ever lived, at least he feels like it, especially with all the teasing his older sister, Judy Moody, does to him. But Stink is a character kids will LOVE. Kids will also love the illustrations with extras, like comic strips, tucked into these books. If your kids like Stink and Freddy books, they may also like these chapter book series: George Brown, Captain Awesome, Roscoe Riley, & Galaxy Zack.

As if the original Amelia Bedelia books aren't enough humor for you, here she comes Amelia Bedelia in chapter book form, bringing all her idioms, puns and word play with her!

What are some of your favorite Chapter Books for Kids in the 2nd/3rd grades?

More Reading Resources

~Becky

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In about the second grade, kids typically are ready to start reading chapter books themselves. Today, I'm sharing our favorite chapter books for young readers (around 2nd and 3rd grade). Some of these are my favorite chapter books from childhood, some are ones I used often as a reading tutor, and others are ones we've ...

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Nonfiction makes up the majority of what adults read. But too often kids don’t get enough nonfiction reading.

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Nonfiction makes up the majority of what adults read. But too often kids don't get enough nonfiction reading. Here are 10+ of our favorite nonfiction series books to get that nonfiction reading in, from Kindergarten to 5th grades.

*This post contains affiliate links.

For each nonfiction book series, I'm including a brief description and an age range. This age range is only a suggestion, as reading abilities and interests can range greatly from child to child.

Our Top 10 Favorite Nonfiction Series Books for Grades K-5

Rookie Readers has several nonfiction series, including Rookie Readers Science, Rookie Readers Geography, and Rookie Readers Biographies {many of these are older}. These are great nonfiction texts for young readers {1st/beginning of 2nd grade} to read themselves or make great read alouds for younger kids. The print is larger and they contain nice photographs/images.

I Can Read! Series- This is a common series you can find even in Wal-Mart. The print is larger, like the Rookie Readers Series and the pictures are simply amazing! I'd also classify these for kids reading at a 1st/beginning of 2nd grade level.

Gail Gibbons Books- We own many of Gail Gibbons' books. If there's something your child wants to learn about, there's a Gail Gibbons book for that! Seriously though. This lady has written a TON of nonfiction texts, perfect for read alouds to the younger grades or reading texts for the older grades. My favorites are her holiday books because they share interesting facts about how special holidays came to be. {for grades K and up}

Seymour Simon Books- The images in these texts are absolutely breath-taking and engaging for readers. While they are not chapter books, they are filled with interesting science facts that will draw kids in. Because he does not use headings and subheadings within his texts, I love to ask 4th and 5th graders to read and divide the text into sections to work on nonfiction text features and text structures. {for grades K-4th}

A Picture Book of... Biographies by David Adler {author of the Cam Jansen books} - Love the pictures and facts shared in these biographies! I've used them as read alouds for 1st and 2nd graders, but 3rd graders could totally read them on their own. {for grades 1st - 4th}

National Geographic Kids Readers- These books have TONS of images/photographs, so they are not intimidating to young readers. There are several different science and geography topics to choose from that are typically of high interest to kids. They are also filled with different kinds of text features and the perfect resource to teach this, even with older kids. There are THREE LEVELS of books within this series, Level 1 {Preschool-1st grade}, Level 2 {K-3rd grade}, and Level 3 {2nd-4th grades}. Younger kids may even enjoy the Little Kids First Big Books by National Geographic.

We also GREATLY enjoy these National Geographic books, which make WONDERFUL read alouds in the younger grades {K-3rd grades}. We have ALL of these (and I honestly wish they had more!): A Tree for All Seasons, Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie, Apples for Everyone, Pilgrims of Plymouth, Winter Wonderland, Everything Spring & .

Let's Read and Find Out Series- We have a TON of these, as I use them over and over again in our science lessons. Much like the National Geographic Kids series, there's a Level 1 {Preschool-3rd grades} and Level 2{K-4th grades}. Although the images are drawn, the facts in these books are spot-on and match up well with the science concepts and topics covered in these grades.

Magic Tree House Nonfiction Companions- If you have a child who has enjoyed the Magic Tree House series, then she'll enjoy the nonfiction companions. I also think these are PERFECT for struggling readers in the older grades because they are easier to read (on about the same level as the Magic Tree House fiction texts) and have high interest topics. {for grades 2nd-5th}

True Books Series - We check these out from the library often. They have many books in this series that are great for studying history or other cultures and lands. I love the way the text is laid out with fun facts and captions. I also think the online resources provided towards the end of the book are a great way to expand kids' understandings of the topics. {for grades 2nd-5th}

Scholastic True or False- These books are highly interactive as kids guess whether the information is true or false. It's a great way to introduce a topic {they stick with mainly animals and Earth science}. I've even learned a lot, like did you know that tigers have the sharpest teeth of all the cats? {for grades 2nd-5th}

If You...Series- This nonfiction series is FILLED with details and interesting facts about the lives of people and events in history. Usually when I read them aloud, I just pick out the sections I want to read or we read the book in several sittings, as the books are long and contain tons of info. {for grades 2nd-5th}

Who Was? / Who Is? Series - This nonfiction series does a great job of presenting information surrounding a person or event in history, particularly American history, although there are some books in this series that do not pertain to American history, like Who Was King Tut? or Who Was Queen Elizabeth? These chapter books do a phenomenal job of filling in background knowledge for readers by providing extra blurbs on topics that pertain to the subject of the book. {ages 3rd-6th grades}

What nonfiction series books would you include on your favorite list?

More Reading Resources:

Visit all the book lists in this series by clicking here or on the image above.

~Becky

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Favorite Nonfiction Series Books {for K-5th grades} - This Reading Mama

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Nonfiction makes up the majority of what adults read. But too often kids don't get enough nonfiction reading. Here are 10+ of our favorite nonfiction series books to get that nonfiction reading in, from Kindergarten to 5th grades. *This post contains affiliate links. For each nonfiction book series, I'm including a brief description and an age ...

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Books for boys and girls.

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disclosure for more information.
You know who you are. You are the parent of that kid that has either always struggled to read, or they loved it at first, but then hit a wall. Yeah. I know you. You're my mom (not for me, buy my brother). You're my mother-in-law. My best friend. The lady I used to work with. And you're me. Yeah. Me. My son, who just turned 14 this summer-he has plateaued. The biggest reader I ever knew-roll through a book in half the time of a "regular" reader...and now he barely cracks a book unless he's made to. But I have an ace up my sleeve. Actually, I have 38 aces. Because I have 38 YA Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers {Both Boys & Girls Will Love}. No jokes, this kid is going read again-like crazy.

38 YA Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers {Both Boys & Girls Will Love}

&

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So, did you find any books you think your reluctant reader might get into? Notice any classics??? When my son read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as a graphic novel...well, I was proud because he knows the story. And that's the point, right? So, grab a few of these 38 YA Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers {Both Boys & Girls Will Love}-and hold on tight...you might be (re)igniting a passion to read...

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38 YA Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers {Both Boys & Girls Will Love}

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disclosure for more information. You know who you are. You are the parent of that kid that has either always struggled to read, or they loved it at first, but then hit a wall. Yeah. I know you. You're my mom (not for me, buy my brother). You're my mother-in-law.

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For kids Kindergarten - 12

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Whether you're going all-in for National Poetry Month in April, or making poetry a regular part of your class's reading diet, it's always a good time to check out some poetry books for kids and teens. We've gathered 40 of our favorite poetry books for kids in grades Pre-K through high school. All can be used as mentor texts-some even include teaching tips and examples. From celebrations of the natural world, to tender coming-of-age poems, to plenty of hilariously silly options, there's something on this list for everyone.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

Best Poetry Books for Kids in the Primary Grades

Share all the traditional nursery rhymes you remember from childhood with your young students with this beautifully-illustrated treasury. The introduction makes a great case for continuing to share nursery rhymes with kids in today's world, too.

When Daniel sees a sign for "Poetry in the Park," he asks, "What is poetry?" His experiences provide an answer, lots of sample poetic lines, and a great entry point into writing poetry for young students.

Eleven poems set in the tranquility of a Japanese garden. This counting book introduces the haiku form of poetry to young readers.

Each turn of a page reveals the subject of a short but powerful verse about an item in nature. Lots of inspiration for students to write their own poems about nature in the same format.

Kiyoshi wonders how his grandfather, an accomplished haiku poet, finds his poetry. His grandfather shares his wisdom with a poetry-filled walk around their city neighborhood. Check out this blog post from the author for helpful poetry teaching tips.

This collection of poetry explores the rich traditions of celebrating the full moon as it passes across our sky and is a celebration of poetry, culture, geography, and science.

A delightful trove of poetry that covers many topics-animals, family, play, and silliness.

This poetry collection uses the contexts of cooking and enjoying food to share vibrant poems on a variety of themes. We especially love "Recipe for Disaster" and "Recipe for Memories." So many curriculum possibilities here!

Do your students think poetry isn't for them? Convince them with a collection of poems about a favorite topic. This collection has so much playful, smart, poetic language about everything soccer, from missing shin guards to persistence.

Douglas Florian is a master at creating clever, punny imagery in his poems for kids. This fun collection teaches kids about the landscape and animals of the North and South Poles while also building their appreciation for poetry.

The gateway to a Shel Silverstein addiction. One of seven Silverstein poetry collections that generations of readers have enjoyed.

Revolting Rhymes tackles six favorite tales that are classic Roald Dahl. Each features Dahl's darkly comic style and a surprise ending. If your students love this book, they might also enjoy Vile Verses and Dirty Beasts.

So many beautiful shades of brown! Children will fall in love with these delightful poems.

This celebration of blackness, written in verse, can be enjoyed for both its poetic language and content. Show students how poems can convey crucial messages in beautiful ways.

Got spider enthusiasts in your class? Hook them on poetry with this hybrid collection of nonfiction information and catchy verses about every kind of arachnid you can imagine. Yikes!

16. Science Verse by Jon Scieszka (2-5)

A collection on the poetry of science is a rare find. This book is highly entertaining and will also get your students thinking creatively.

The title of this collection perfectly sets the tone for these impressive poems that tackle the trials of childhood.

This collection of poems is inspired by the glory days of 1950s Harlem jazz. Each poem is a tribute to one of the influential musicians of this iconic age.

A classroom favorite! These two-part poems are perfect for poetry lovers and reluctant beginners alike.

Sometimes called visual poetry or word pictures, concrete poetry presents beautiful words and ideas in shape form. These imaginative examples, illustrated by the brilliant Chris Raschka, will surely inspire your young poets.

Another charming collection to add to your upper elementary classroom library.

Jack Prelutsky is a master of the silly, tongue-twisting, giggle-inducing poetry that kids love.

This fun collection encourages reluctant young readers to enjoy poetry and marvel at the wonder of words.

Set in each of the four seasons, each haiku in this collection shows a boy goofing off while experiencing nature. Author Bob Raczka explains, "Nature is a place where guys love to be."

This collection is filled with colorful images of nature. It also features poems that express the emotions evoked by the changing seasons.

Best Poetry Books for Kids in Upper Elementary and Middle School

Poetry and mindfulness fit together so nicely. Teach both with this unique book from a top-notch children's poet.

Moving and powerful portraits of eleven enslaved people who were sold at auction. Their stories illustrate the importance of life experiences and dreams that nothing can take away.

Full of humor and surprises, this award-winning work by Rachel Rooney is described by one reviewer as "a box of joy and laughter."

This collection offers a rich sampling of poetry from the 19th century through today. It also features a wide variety of types, styles, and themes for students to explore.

This collection includes a variety of poems and a guidebook to teaching poetic forms. It also explains 29 forms and gives great examples.

This New York Times bestseller is a vibrant and exciting collection whose poetry and beats will resonate with readers.

Best Poetry Books for Kids in High School

Concrete poetry for teens that tackles subjects such as hairdos, extracurriculars, and annoying younger brothers. It's a funny, sarcastic take on life as a high schooler.

Eleven-year-old Robert voices his observations and thoughts in this middle school-focused collection of concrete poems.

An impressive collection of poems by award-winning poets and relative newcomers. Each poem speaks to the simple truths that emerge from asking the question: Who am I?

An honest collection of poems that addresses the vast emotions teenagers experience.

A hopeful and encouraging collection of poems by poet Naomi Shihab Nye. Dedicated to the memorable people she's met, Nye's message is one of empathy and peace.

This guidebook, filled with creative writing exercises and original poems, is a great teaching tool. It will also encourage teens to write poetry about their lives.

Original works by 19 teen poets known as the Get Lit Players. With their award-winning performances of classic and spoken-word poems, they are inspiring many teens across the country.

This collection of poems, told through the voices of a boy and a girl, explores the mysteries of teen love, from tender beginning to "final flameout."

This collection features works by 100 new, young poets. Full of originality, the poems address many life events, from tragedy to bliss.

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40 Essential Poetry Books for Kids in Grades PreK-12

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Whether you're going all-in for National Poetry Month in April, or making poetry a regular part of your class's reading diet, it's always a good time to check out some poetry books for kids and teens. We've gathered 40 of our favorite poetry books for kids in grades Pre-K through high school.

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Collections of poetry for children or entire books in verse.

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Best children's poetry books (221 books)

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221 books based on 288 votes: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, When We Were Very Young by A.A. Miln...

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Poetry encourages a completely different kind of thinking and growth.

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The importance of reading to our children is a truth that we are all deeply aware of. The benefits are researched, proven and documented in abundance. Integrating books of poetry books for children into the lineup can be not just beneficial, but greatly enjoyable.

There is no shortage of research boasting claims of the power of poetry to work inside the minds of our children. Even the smallest of babies can benefit from poetry, defined as a work of literature which focuses on expressions of feelings or ideas, often using metaphors, by using distinctive rhythms and styles. The use of expressive poetry is extremely beneficial to the emotional development of children. When children are taught to empathize and visualize the emotions of others, they are better able to recognize and work through their own emotions. Poetry can also help shape a creative mind, due to the use of metaphors instead of a more literal description of ideas or feelings.

The importance of reading to our children cannot be under emphasized. So, if you are going to be reading to your children anyways, why not be sure to include poetry, which encourages a completely different kind of thinking and growth? If you are unsure where, to begin with adding poetry in your home, here is a list of some of the best poetry books for kids that are currently available.​

For my ranking purposes, I leaned on the compilations of others as well as ratings and descriptions of owners of the suggested books. I also looked for bright and engaging illustrations, and books that are easily, and affordably available for purchase.​

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The 20 Best Poetry Books for Kids - Early Childhood Education Zone

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The importance of reading to our children is a truth that we are all deeply aware of. The benefits are researched, proven and documented in abundance. Integrating books of poetry books for children into the lineup can be not just beneficial, but greatly enjoyable.There is no shortage of research boasting claims of the power of ...

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Book list to inspire.

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Poetry for Grades 3-5 Book List | Scholastic

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Inspire your students to write their own poetry with these popular titles from poets like Jane Yolen, Jack Prelutsky, Nikki Grimes, and Walter Dean Myers.

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Boys enjoy these!

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One of the questions I'm frequently asked by other moms is if I have early chapter book recommendations for boys. My answer is always an enthusiastic "Yes!"

These ten early chapter books are great choices for boys, though any young reader, boy or girl, is sure to love the humor, adventure, and heart in these fantastic stories.

by David A. Adler

Friendship, school drama, and humor make Danny's Doodles a fun contemporary read. Danny shows kindness and maturity as he repeatedly goes out of his way to befriend a strange new boy at school.

by John R. Erickson, illustrated by Gerald L. Holmes

Kids that like to laugh will warm up to Hank the Cowdog real fast. Hank is a goofy ranch dog that takes his job and himself a little too seriously.

by Sid Fleischman, illustrated by Peter Sis

For kids ready for bigger themes, The Whipping Boy is a quick, fast-paced book full of wisdom and heart. It delivers a full-scale story in a short, accessible format.

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10 Early Chapter Books for Boys | Brightly

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One of the questions I'm frequently asked by other moms is if I have early chapter book recommendations for boys. My answer is always an enthusiastic "Yes!" These ten early chapter books are great choices for boys, though any young reader, boy or girl, is sure to love the humor, adventure, and heart in these fantastic stories.

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Explore the world of wonders!

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Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease | Wonderopolis

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Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease

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Top 100+ Recommended African-American Children’s Books

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Top 100+ Recommended African-American Children’s Books

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Top 130+ Recommended African-American Children's Books

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Children Book authors and avid readers contributed their favorite children's Books to a list of the, "Top 130 Recommended African-American Children's Books."

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Amazon.com: A Dot in the Snow (9781454921011): Corrinne Averiss, Fiona Woodcock: Books

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Amazon.com: A Dot in the Snow (9781454921011): Corrinne Averiss, Fiona Woodcock: Books

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Hush! A Thai Lullaby: Minfong Ho, Holly Meade: 9780531071663: Amazon.com: Books

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Hush! A Thai Lullaby: Minfong Ho, Holly Meade: 9780531071663: Amazon.com: Books

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Picture Books that Promote Diversity and Inclusion

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Picture Books that Promote Diversity and Inclusion

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It is important that every preschool teacher ( and parent) have access to great picture books. Picture books that not only explore the alphabet or counting or our students' favorite characters. You also need books that help children develop their own character. Social-emotional learning is an important, if not the most important part of early childhood education. Having access to the right books to share with your students is a must.

This list focuses on building community through inclusion and the strength that comes from a diverse community. Some of the books teach this explicitly, and some are more implicit with the lesson. All have wonderful messages for young children. I have a related book list about Books That Teach Children To Include Others that you don't want to miss. I'll link it again at the end of this list!

All our book lists include affiliate links.

Books that Promote Diversity and Inclusion

Morris Micklewhite and The Tangerine Dress By Christine Baldachinno. Morris is just who he is. Who he happens to be is a boy who loves to dress up in an orange dress. The adults in the story don't pass judgment. They support Morris for who he is without labeling or shaming. It takes some time for all the kids to be accepting, but soon their similarities and mutual interests overcame the differences. Everyone plays better together, and Morris doesn't have to change who he is to be part of the group.

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates is an incredibly simple book that could be used with a wide range of ages to teach about inclusion. It is a rainy day, and a child goes out with their umbrella. Soon the umbrella that loves to help is taking in everyone from the rain, no matter who they are or what they look like. The umbrella is, of course, a symbol for an inclusive society but with young children, it can be used as a great tool for discussion. " How would you feel if there were lots of people under that umbrella, but you weren't allowed under?" "Why do you think the umbrella lets anyone in?"

Calvin Can't Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie by Jennifer Berne is a story about a starling Calvin who can't fly and really isn't even interested in learning. Calvin loves books and the library, and while all the other birds are flying in a pack, he is off on his own. The other birds find a way to make sure to include Calvin when they migrate. Soon it is Calvin's turn to use what makes him different to help the whole flock stay safe from a hurricane! I love that this book showed his strengths and weaknesses and how real inclusion means accepting both in a group.

It Takes A Village by Hillary Rodham Clinton is a book that is focused on equity and inclusion. The text is a simple look at what being part of a community is about and what villages of people need to thrive; the right tools, kindness, sharing, and a shared purpose. The purpose, in this case, is building a playground for the children to play and build their own community with. The illustrations by one of my favorite inclusive illustrators, Marla Frazee, add such depth to this book. Every time I read it I find new little stories in the illustrations. There are interracial couples, children, and adults in wheelchairs, young men with babies, a breastfeeding mama, and a man with tattoos all over this arms in addition to all ages, sexes, and races working and playing together.

Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Pena is an award-winning book that deserves every award it gets. The story is simple. A little boy and his Nana take the bus after church to a shelter. There they help serve food to people living there. The inclusiveness comes in how Nana speaks to CJ her grandson about all the different people they encounter on their journey. She models how to be part of a diverse community that not only accepts but celebrates everyone.

Egg by Kevin Henkes is a perfect little book about inclusion for very young children. Four little eggs are waiting to hatch. When they do three birds pop out, and the last egg doesn't hatch. The little birds can't wait for their fourth sibling. So they start pecking away at the egg only to discover it isn't a bird after all. When the birds fly away from the different hatchling, readers can explore the negative feelings this spark. But in the end, the birds become friends with the other hatchling who is happy to be part of the family.

Lovely by Jess Hong is well...lovely! The book asks "What is lovely?" and the illustrations that follow answer that with a diverse group of opposites, all accepted as lovely. It celebrates being different and more importantly accepting different as lovely. The illustrations are the backbone of this book, and they do a fantastic job at including many of the fabulous differences in the world.

Brontorina by James Howe is brilliant because it combines dinosaurs with how to make an environment that isn't inclusive into one that is inclusive with a great story. Brontorina is a dinosaur who wants to dance, but she is too big for the dance studio. At first, they turn her away. Soon, it becomes clear that the studio needs to change. Then she and others realize their dreams of dancing. I love this book, I can't read it without tearing up, and I have read it many many times. Kids love it too!

This Is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe is a great look at seven children around the globe and what their life is like. To be inclusive, we first need to learn to appreciate differences. Because, it is not inclusive to pretend we are all the same. We are different, and that is a strength, not a weakness. My daughter loved this non-fiction look at what life is like in places like Iran, Japan, and Italy. Children will naturally compare their lives to these children's lives and note the similarities as well as the differences. What is great is that at least with my daughter we found many with all the children.

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev deserves a post all of its own; it's that good and that important. This book is about a little boy and his elephant who are banned from the local pet club because well, elephants are not allowed. They don't share a reason why elephants are not allowed, just that they aren't. This lets parents and teacher reiterate the fact that sometimes people are excluded for no reason. It's not about them. It's about the people excluding them. In the book, after being banned, they find others who have been made to feel unwelcome, different, and lesser and start their own pet club. One that welcomes everyone and their pets no matter what.

Come With Me by Holly M. McGhee is a look at how inclusion can work as a force against hate and fear. The kindness that is a part of inclusion and the inclusion that is part of kindness is what this book focuses on. How little gestures and acts of kindness can create a shared sense of well being and community. This book would be a great addition to a lesson about random acts of kindness.

I'm New Here by Ann Sibley O'Brien is a book about being new told through the stories of three recent immigrant children; Maria from Guatemala, Jin from Korea, and Fatimah from Somalia. Readers see the struggles that the children face learning a new language, feelings of isolation, and then each child gaining confidence in their new home. All children can relate to new experiences. This book helps to go a little further and imagine not knowing the language. It also shows the power of kindness and inclusion children can show to someone new. Also, how a little goes a long way. None of these children feel included at the beginning of the book. However, as the other children in their classrooms take steps to include them, they begin to blossom.

A Family is a Family is a Family by Sara O'Leary is fantastic! This book starts off with a child nervous to talk about their family because it's not like everyone else. Soon as all the students share things that make their families unique the child sees all families are different, but they are all families.

I love that what the children share about their families isn't the label most adults would put on the diverse family in the illustration. It explains a same sex family as "Both my moms are terrible singers..." instead of "I have two moms. They are lesbians." This is a much more inclusive way to present families, not to mention more natural. It includes many different family structures from same sex, to single parents, big families, families with a new baby, interracial families, families with divorced parents, families with foster children, and more.

All The World by Liz Garten Scanlon has a message about diversity that is subtle and goes so much further than simply human differences. Diversity is everywhere. All of our differences come together to keep the world going. This book is very poetic; it leaves the readers both old and young feeling peaceful and connected. I love this book and its ambiguous but lovely images of people of all different backgrounds working, eating, and playing together. Oh and this is a fantastic book to calm a busy preschool class.

Want more books about inclusion? This book list focuses more on children taking action and learning how to include others and is a great companion to the list above.

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Picture Books That Promote Diversity and Inclusion

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It is important that every preschool teacher ( and parent) have access to great picture books. Picture books that not only explore the alphabet or counting or our students' favorite characters. You also need books that help children develop their own character. Social-emotional learning is an important, if not the most important part of early childhood education.

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Fire in the Village: New and Selected Stories: Anne M. Dunn: 9780986448058: Amazon.com: Books

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Fire in the Village: New and Selected Stories: Anne M. Dunn: 9780986448058: Amazon.com: Books

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Sky Blue Water: Great Stories for Young Readers: Jay D. Peterson, Collette A. Morgan: 9780816698769: Amazon.com: Books

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Sky Blue Water: Great Stories for Young Readers: Jay D. Peterson, Collette A. Morgan: 9780816698769: Amazon.com: Books

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The Thing Lou Couldn't Do: Ashley Spires: 9781771387279: Amazon.com: Books

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The Thing Lou Couldn't Do: Ashley Spires: 9781771387279: Amazon.com: Books

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Amazon.com: I Know a Lot! (Empowerment Series) (9781419709388): Stephen Krensky, Sara Gillingham: Books

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Amazon.com: I Know a Lot! (Empowerment Series) (9781419709388): Stephen Krensky, Sara Gillingham: Books

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More-igami: Dori Kleber, G. Brian Karas: 9780763668198: Amazon.com: Books

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More-igami: Dori Kleber, G. Brian Karas: 9780763668198: Amazon.com: Books

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juvenile fiction / lifestyles / city & town life

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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A creative young boy with a passion for practicing origami finds a surprising source of encouragement on his diverse city block.Joey loves things that fold: maps, beds, accordions, you name it. When a visiting mother of a classmate turns a plain piece of paper into a beautiful origami crane, his ...

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Top 100+ Recommended African-American Children’s Books

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Top 100+ Recommended African-American Children’s Books

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Top 130+ Recommended African-American Children's Books

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Children Book authors and avid readers contributed their favorite children's Books to a list of the, "Top 130 Recommended African-American Children's Books."

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Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood: F. Isabel Campoy, Theresa Howell, Rafael López: 9780544357693: Amazon.com: Books

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Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood: F. Isabel Campoy, Theresa Howell, Rafael López: 9780544357693: Amazon.com: Books

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The Paperboy: Dav Pilkey: 9780545871860: Amazon.com: Books

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The Paperboy: Dav Pilkey: 9780545871860: Amazon.com: Books

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Amazon.com: Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale (9780451472304): Josh Funk, Rodolfo Montalvo: Books

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Amazon.com: Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale (9780451472304): Josh Funk, Rodolfo Montalvo: Books

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juvenile fiction / social issues / friendship

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juvenile fiction / social themes / friendship

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juvenile fiction / stories in verse (see also poetry)

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juvenile fiction/social themes - friendship

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juvenile fiction/stories in verse (see also poetry)

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A sweet and clever friendship story in rhyme, about looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath.George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There&rsq...

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Can One Balloon Make an Elephant Fly?: Dan Richards, Jeff Newman: 9781442452152: Amazon.com: Books

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Can One Balloon Make an Elephant Fly?: Dan Richards, Jeff Newman: 9781442452152: Amazon.com: Books

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Dan Richards teams up with celebrated artist, Jeff Newman, to share a funny and vibrant picture book about how powerful a child's imagination can be...with a little encouragement.Evan asks a simple question, "Can one balloon make an elephant fly?" At first, his mother is too...

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Ada Twist, Scientist: Andrea Beaty, David Roberts: 9781419721373: Amazon.com: Books

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Ada Twist, Scientist: Andrea Beaty, David Roberts: 9781419721373: Amazon.com: Books

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A Squiggly Story: Andrew Larsen, Mike Lowery: 9781771380164: Amazon.com: Books

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A Squiggly Story: Andrew Larsen, Mike Lowery: 9781771380164: Amazon.com: Books

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A young boy wants to write a story, just like his big sister. But there's a problem, he tells her. Though he knows his letters, he doesn't know many words. ?Every story starts with a single word and every word starts with a single letter,? his sister explains patiently.

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The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist - Kindle edition by Cynthia Levinson, Vanessa Brantley Newton. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

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The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist - Kindle edition by Cynthia Levinson, Vanessa Brantley Newton. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

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Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes: Floyd Cooper: 9780698116122: Amazon.com: Books

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Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes: Floyd Cooper: 9780698116122: Amazon.com: Books

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The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage: Selina Alko, Sean Qualls: 9780545478533: Amazon.com: Books

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The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage: Selina Alko, Sean Qualls: 9780545478533: Amazon.com: Books

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the case for loving: the fight for interracial marriage

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people & places - united states - african american

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interracial marriage - law and legislation - virginia - history - 20th century

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biography & autobiography - social activists

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juvenile nonfiction / biography & autobiography / social activists

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juvenile nonfiction / family / marriage & divorce

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juvenile nonfiction / people & places / united states / african american

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juvenile nonfiction / social topics / prejudice & racism

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juvenile nonfiction/family - marriage & divorce

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juvenile nonfiction/people & places - united states - african-american

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people & places - united states - african-american

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The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage

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For most children these days it would come as a great shock to know that before 1967, they could not marry a person of a race different from their own. That was the year that the Supreme Court issued its decision in Loving v. Virginia.This is the story of one brave family: Mildred Loving, Richard...

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These Hands: Margaret H. Mason, Floyd Cooper: 9780544555464: Amazon.com: Books

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These Hands: Margaret H. Mason, Floyd Cooper: 9780544555464: Amazon.com: Books

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people & places - united states - african american

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historical - united states - 20th century

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juvenile fiction / family / multigenerational

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juvenile fiction / historical / united states / 20th century

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juvenile fiction / people & places / united states / african american

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juvenile fiction / social themes / prejudice & racism

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juvenile fiction/historical - united states - 20th century

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juvenile fiction/social themes - prejudice & racism

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people & places - united states - african-american

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Joseph's grandpa could do almost anything with his hands. He could play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot in three seconds flat. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not bake bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Factory bosses said white people would not want to eat br...

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Daniel Finds a Poem: Micha Archer: 9780399169137: Amazon.com: Books

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Daniel Finds a Poem: Micha Archer: 9780399169137: Amazon.com: Books

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My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay: Cari Best, Vanessa Brantley-Newton: 9780374388195: Amazon.com: Books

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My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay: Cari Best, Vanessa Brantley-Newton: 9780374388195: Amazon.com: Books

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Zulay and her three best friends are all in the same first grade class and study the same things, even though Zulay is blind. When their teacher asks her students what activity they want to do on Field Day, Zulay surprises everyone when she says she wants to run a race.

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Stella by Starlight: Sharon M. Draper: 9781442494978: Amazon.com: Books

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Stella by Starlight: Sharon M. Draper: 9781442494978: Amazon.com: Books

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children's / teenage fiction: general fiction

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children's / teenage fiction: historical fiction

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children's / teenage personal & social issues: racism & multiculturalism

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historical - united states - 20th century

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historical fiction (children's / teenage)

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juvenile fiction / historical / united states / 20th century

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juvenile fiction / social issues / new experience

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juvenile fiction / social themes / new experience

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juvenile fiction / social themes / prejudice & racism

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juvenile fiction / social issues / prejudice & racism

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juvenile fiction/historical - united states - 20th century

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juvenile fiction/social themes - new experience

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personal & social issues: racism & multiculturalism (children's / teenage)

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segregation; north carolina; south; sharon draper; blue ridge mountains; depression era; ku klux klan; cross burning; prejudice; strong female character; writing; journalism; snake bitesp; paperback

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historical - united states - 20th century

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juvenile fiction / historical / united states / 20th century

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juvenile fiction / social issues / new experience

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juvenile fiction / social themes / new experience

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juvenile fiction / social themes / prejudice & racism

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juvenile fiction / social issues / prejudice & racism

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juvenile fiction/historical - united states - 20th century

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juvenile fiction/social themes - new experience

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children's / teenage fiction: general fiction

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children's / teenage fiction: historical fiction

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children's / teenage personal & social issues: racism & multiculturalism

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historical fiction (children's / teenage)

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personal & social issues: racism & multiculturalism (children's / teenage)

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When the Ku Klux Klan's unwelcome reappearance rattles Stella's segregated southern town, bravery battles prejudice in this New York Times bestselling Depression-era "novel that soars" (The New York Times Book Review) that School Library Journal called "storytelling ...

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The Stories Julian Tells (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)): Ann Cameron, Ann Strugnell: 9780394828923: Amazon.com: Books

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The Stories Julian Tells (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)): Ann Cameron, Ann Strugnell: 9780394828923: Amazon.com: Books

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Katie Woo Rules the School: Fran Manushkin, Tammie Lyon: 9781404879089: Amazon.com: Books

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Katie Woo Rules the School: Fran Manushkin, Tammie Lyon: 9781404879089: Amazon.com: Books

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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Picture Book Edition: William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, Elizabeth Zunon: 9780803735118: Amazon.com: Books

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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Picture Book Edition: William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, Elizabeth Zunon: 9780803735118: Amazon.com: Books

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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

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Amazon.com: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition (9780147510426): William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, Anna Hymas: Books

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If you're like me and want to keep technology as educational as possible, you'll want to know about these new reading and writing apps for kids. See if any will be a good fit for your child's age and stage.

(All links are to the app store unless Android is specified.)

Reading (and Writing) Apps for Kids

Endless Reader
READINGFree / In-App Bundles of Words
Android
ages 5 - 8
Learn sight words with word puzzles, letters that come alive, and a sentence puzzle for each word. It's fun to see the sentence become animated.

MiniMo Town
SPELLING
$1.99
age 4+
This app starts out with CVC words like saw and cat so it's only appropriate for a small range of children who want to learn or spell the 150 words in the game. However, it's fun and interactive with cute kid-friendly images.

Hop on Pop - Read and Learn by Dr. Seuss
READING, WORD FAMILIES, RHYMING
ages 4 - 8
Android
$3.99
This classic is still a great choice for beginning readers to practice word families, rhyming, and reading.

Toontastic 3D WRITING, CREATIVE THINKING
ages 6 - 8
FREEMy daughter remembers learning story arc from the first Toontastic. This updated version also gives kids a simple or harder story arc as well as a science report structure. Pick a setting, add characters, then tell your story (yes, out loud) while moving your characters around the setting with your finger to act out the narrative. Add music (you'll love the choices) and then finish your mini-movie! We like the selection of characters (and that you can make your own) as well as the high-quality graphics. This is a fun, engaging app that will spark children's creative thinking.

Smashing Grammar
READING, LANGUAGE
ages 9+
$2.99
Six games in this app make grammar practice exciting. From Noun Disco to Plural piggies, you'll practice grammar and reading fluency because you have to read quickly.

Scribblenauts Unlimited
PROBLEM SOLVING, WRITING
ages 9+
Android
$4.99
We mostly like this app because it requires creative problem solving to advance. Basically, you must help your character advance by writing in words (adjectives or nouns) to solve the problems he encounters. My daughter would prefer to have a female character option and found some of the solutions glitchy. However, it's an engaging game requiring thinking which is always a good thing.

Also read: Best Storybook Apps for Kids

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Reading (and Writing) Apps for Kids | Imagination Soup

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If you're like me and want to keep technology as educational as possible, you'll want to know about these new reading and writing apps for kids. See if any will be a good fit for your child's age and stage.

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If you're looking for a new way to help kids learn sight words, then you might want to download these sight word apps on your tablet. Download these 12 awesome sight word apps kids can't resist.

When you use games to help children practice important skills, you're making their learning experience more enjoyable and memorable. The more enjoyable and memorable it is, the more kids will come back for more. Take advantage of a child's excitement by downloading these 12 awesome sight word apps kids can't resist.

Every teacher or parent wants to find reliable and effective methods for helping children succeed. To succeed in Reading and Writing, children need to have a good grasp of common sight words. Apps are a great way to help children learn their sight words. The repetitive nature of the apps helps students practice, practice, practice! And most times, they don't even feel like they're learning - they just enjoy the fun "game" that the app offers them. Often, kids think apps are much better than flashcards or worksheets. Try a few of these sight word apps out today!

Cost: Free

This sight word app is a great resource for students and teachers alike! With this app, kids will be able to practice 300+ common sight words. You can opt to have the sound on so that children can listen to the sight words as they practice, or turn it off so that they can practice independently.
Special Features:
Cost: $0.99

Sight words are important for beginner readers to learn. That's why this sight word app is so great for kids. With this app, kids can learn high-frequency sight words using their senses, making it an interactive and fun way to practice.
Special Features:
Cost: Free (offers in-app purchases)

Practicing sight words is FUN with this sight word app. Kids will use fun games to learn their sight words, such as word jigsaw puzzles, Hangman, star speller, word search and more!
Special Features:

Encourages students to use sight words in their spelling & writing.

Games are fun and engaging, keeping students interested.

Cost: $1.99

Styled after a popular app for kids, Sight Words Ninja lets kids practice sight words while playing a game. Kids will slice their way through different levels of sight word, practicing the words they need to know in order to become fluent readers.
Special Features:
Cost: Free

There's no need to complicate things when it comes to sight word practice. This sight word app is a simple yet fun way for kids to learn their sight words. Students can continue to practice their sight words, progressing through the different levels as they master each word.
Special Features:

Organized by level (kindergarten, 1st grade, etc.), helping students find the right level for them.

Adjustable difficulty, keeping kids engaged without overwhelming them.

Cost: Free (offers in-app purchases)

It's amazing what kids learn when they're playing. Although it might not seem like it, the best learning takes place when kids play. That's why this sight word app is perfect for students. They'll get a chance to play sight words on their own or in groups.
Special Features:
Cost: $0.99

This sight word app is perfect for beginners! During the game, a sight word is called out and children need to select the right word. Each correct answer is celebrated with fun characters!
Special Features:

Features common sight words that beginner readers should learn.

Includes bonus easy reader books after each game is completed.

Cost: Free (offers in-app purchases)

If you're looking for a fun way for children to learn their sight words, then this is the app for you. This sight word app uses games and fun to engage children, helping them learn the words they need to know.
Special Features:

Games help students learn their sight words in a fun way.

Different difficulty levels, meeting the needs of students no matter which level they are.

Cost: Free (offers in-app purchases)

This sight word app lets you use fun and games to teach kids their sight words. Each game has fun animations and bright colors, helping to keep the students engaged and learning. Students will feel as if they're playing while they learn their sight words.
Special Features:

Includes educational sight word games that keep kids learning.

Encourages reading success.

Cost: Free

Kids will enjoy learning sight words with this fun app. This egg-themed app introduces 100 of the most common sight words for FREE. Children will be excited to practice their sight words as they work to complete each level.
Special Features:
Cost: $2.99

This sight word game features Tammy the frog, a delightful guide to learning sight words. This paid app includes four exciting activities that children will love embarking on.
Special Features:
Cost: Free (offers in-app purchases)

Keep students engaged with this fun sight word app. With 18 games to choose from, children will never get bored with practicing their sight words. From Ice Cream Words to Candy Match, there's a game for everyone.
Special Features:

Variety of games to choose from, keeping students engaged.

includes categories for preschool through 3rd grade, making it a great app for different grade levels and reading levels.

Once you've decided which sight word apps you want to use, it's time to start implementing this wonderful teaching tool in your classroom! When used correctly, the apps you download on your classroom iPad can be a powerful tool. Here are some tips you can use for using sight word apps in the classroom.

Set the rules - Before handing over the iPad, make sure your students know the classroom rules. This should include how to use the iPad, where to store it when done, and any other rules you would like to have.

Walk them through it - You will want to make sure your students know how to use the app. If you can, use the Apple screen share function to project the app onto your Smartboard. Demonstrate how to get into the app and how to play the games accurately.

Implement it using learning centers - You can use your favorite sight word apps in your classroom learning centers. This is especially helpful if you have a limited number of iPads to use. Simply set up the learning center so that a few students at a time will get to plan on the iPads.

Sight word apps are a fun and engaging tool for use in the classroom, as homework, or at home for practice, summer learning, and retention. Try some of these awesome sight word apps with children and help them be better readers!

Sight Word Classroom Resources

Help your students learn and master sight words with engaging, hands-on, and fun resources. Click any of the links below to purchase a comprehensive resource for your classroom.

Fry's First 300 Sight Word Curriculum
Dolch Sight Word Curriculum (Pre-Primer, Primer, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade included)
FREE Week of Sight Word Activities

Would you like a FREE sight word resource? Just click the image below to download a week's worth of sight word activities!

Read More About Teaching Sight Words
Learning Sight Words in Fun and Fresh Ways Tips and Tools for Teaching Sight Words Sight Word Games
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Sight Word Books

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12 Clickworthy Sight Word Apps Kids Can't Resist

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If you're looking for a new way to help kids learn sight words, then you might want to download these sight word apps on your tablet. Download these 12 awesome sight word apps kids can't resist. When you use games to help children practice important skills, you're making their learning experience more enjoyable and memorable.

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Over time, I summarize my app reviews into lists of Best Educational Apps for Kids, grouped by Age and Subjects. These are updated periodically and the lists are growing all the time. Please check back often.

Top Educational Apps for Kids by Kids Age and Subject

Best Educational Apps for Pre-school (Age 3 - 6)

Top Math Apps for Preschool
Top Natural & Animal Science Apps for Preschool Kids
Top Science Apps for Preschool Kids

Best Educational Apps for Kindergarten and Early Elementary Kids (Age 6 - 10)

Top Math Apps for Kindergarten and Early Elementary
Top Science Apps for Early Elementary Kids
Top Natural & Animal Science Apps for Kindergarten and Early Elementary Kids

Best Educational Apps for Upper Elementary and Middle School Kids (Age 10 - 15)
Top Science Apps for Upper Elementary and Middle School Kids
Best Educational Seasonal Apps for Kids of All Ages

Cool Summer App Ideas
Straight-A Back-to-school Apps
8 Free Christmas apps for kids

Educational Apps of Special Themes for Kids

45 math game apps for kids grouped by age and learning objective
10 Physics Games That Are Safe for Kids to Play
10 kids apps about Bugs - fun and educational
10 apps helping kids learn academics through music
9 apps making outdoor science study fun
10 best geography apps for kids
10 Apps Teaching Young Children Essential Life Skills
8 kids apps for Earth Day
10 autumn themed picture books to read on any tablet

Best Free Apps of Different Subjects or Themes

10 Free game apps that are educational
10 Free math apps for elementary school kids
10 Free Reading Programs that Continuously Offer Free Books for Kids
10 Free book apps for preschool kids
10 Free book apps for elementary school kids

Do you have any recommendations on best educational apps for kids? Please leave a comment below. Thanks!

If you like this collection of apps, you will also like our Best Learning Tools for Kids series. Click on the image below will take you to the post, at the bottom of which you can find the link to all the posts in the series, including best learning tools for the following subjects:
Math Concepts in General ; Counting ; Telling Time
Phonics ; Spelling ; Vocabulary ; Grammar ; Storytelling
Computer Coding ; Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Second Language

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Over time, I summarize my app reviews into lists of Best Educational Apps for Kids, grouped by Age and Subjects. These are updated periodically and the lists are growing all the time. Please check back often.

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Are literacy skills and technology really enemies? Could screens really be the death of imaginative play and creative thinking? Technology can be a time suck, even an addiction for young, smushy brains (or forty year old brains, for that matter.) Using some creative resources, such as these coding books for kids, can ensure that you child stays on top of the technology curve while growing their own literacy and problem solving skills.

If you've been to the Kitchen Table Classroom before you know that books are pretty much my answer to everything. A problem, a question, an idea; just go read about it. I'm a researcher at heart. Despite the amazing resources available online I still love a real book. Books feel solid, permanent, and trustworthy. Combining book learning with the futuristic skill of coding feels like the best of both worlds to me!

What is coding...

Coding is the little thing that makes software, apps, and websites possible. In the simplest terms it's very specific, step by step instructions that tell a computer exactly what to do.

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The computer cannot think for itself so the coder has to include every step, every stop, and every change. It's a very specific way of thinking. Whether or not your child dreams of a career in computer programming thinking in this "coding brain" is an excellent exercise. It teaches a linear type of thinking that can't be found just anywhere.

What if I'm no expert....

I am not an expert at computer anything. Technology is just not a language that comes easily to me. My favorite thing about these coding book for kids is that they are geared toward children. That means your kids are going to be able to read and follow along, mostly on their own.

It also means that I can learn alongside them! We are a homeschooling family. People are amazed (i.e. they do not believe) that my husband and I could have the smarts to teach everything to everyone. (Read more about how smart we are here!)

Here's the secret; we don't know it all. But we do love learning and finding out new stuff. Learning something new beside my kids is my favorite. It's a risk. Chances are within minutes they will know more than me. That's a risk I'm happy to take!

Teaching is more about facilitating than knowing all the answers.

Coding books for kids....

These coding books for kids will help to nurture a new kind of literacy in your child. This new literacy is the language of coding!

There are several coding programs that are available completely free of charge and geared toward the beginner. Scratch and Python are two of the most commonly used programming languages. This is a no risk endeavor. Jump in.
Lift-the-Flap Computers and Coding Learn to Program (Kids Get Coding) A World of Programming (Kids Get Coding) Coding, Bugs, and Fixes (Kids Get Coding) Online Safety for Coders (Kids Get Coding) Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding How to Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Computer Coding Coding For Kids For Dummies Help Your Kids with Computer Coding How to Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Computer Coding DK Readers L2: Story of Coding CoderDojo Nano: Building a Website: Create with Code
For the girls...

I used to hate products that were marketed specifically for little girls. Why does the "girl" product need to be pink or glittery? Can't girls use the same primary colored book as the boys?

Fast forward to me now having a nine year old girl that loves all things girly. I get it.

In any case there are some really cool coding books and surrounding products directed at girls. If a pink cover makes the difference as to whether your girl is likely to pick the book up or not then it's worth it; marketing ploy or not.

More coding books for kids....

If your kids (or you really takes a liking to this coding business there are just unlimited resources available for them to keep teaching themselves and learning more and more. Be sure to check out this post that has lots of resources specific to the Scratch programming language and this one that has Python programming resources!

Every single share helps me to bring you more fun projects and free printable resources!

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Coding Books for Kids: A New Kind of Literacy - The Kitchen Table Classroom

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Are literacy skills and technology really enemies? Could screens really be the death of imaginative play and creative thinking? Technology can be a time suck, even an addiction for young, smushy brains (or forty year old brains, for that matter.)