Fun Summer Reads for the Early Chapter Book Reader

Chapter books for the emerging reader can be challenging to find. A good early chapter book should have everything that a middle grade book has, but in an easier-to-read format (simpler sentence structure, shorter chapters, illustrations etc.). You want to make sure to provide kids who are at this developmental stage with great reading material over the summer, so that they continue to make progress. One of the best ways to ensure this is to find books that have sequels, so that they barely miss a beat as they pick up the next book. So here are a few suggestions to hook those emerging readers:
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters
AND
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Birthday Parties, Science Projects, and Other Man-made Catastrophes

Written by: Lenore Look
Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham
Recommended Ages: 6-10

I'm delighted to say that Alvin Ho is back. In the first book Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things we met Alvin and his family and immediately wanted more (see my previous blog post). Now Lenore Look has written two sequels in the same lively style that made kids fall in love with Alvin. He's a very appealing, funny, idiosyncratic child that new readers will relate to. Whatever he tackles, whether it's a camping trip or a science project, he does in his own, one-of-a-kind style. You really can't go wrong with Alvin Ho; he's the perfect summertime buddy.

Just Grace

Written By: Charise Mericle Harper
Recommended Ages: 6-9

Here is another endearing character that is sure to please the elementary-aged crowd. Grace is called Just Grace because she happens to be in a third grade class with three other Graces. When her teacher asks her to state her name as Grace with her middle initial, she tells the teacher she'd rather be called just Grace. And it sticks; from then on she's called Just Grace. She has a lot of personality with a mischievous side to her, that is enhanced by some very funny scenes.
Just Grace's voice is strong throughout the book, and young readers will want more. Luckily there are four other Grace books that will be sure to keep your child interested (and laughing at the same time).
Still Just Grace
Just Grace Goes Green
Just Grace and the Snack Attack
Just Grace Walks the Dog




Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

Written by: Betty MacDonald
Illustrated by: Hilary Knight
Recommended Ages: 6-10

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was first published in 1957, and it still remains a favorite among children and parents alike. Kids like her because she understands them in a way that most other grownups don't. She lives in an upside down house and smells like freshly baked cookies. She has a knack for solving problems that parents aren't able to, like "Never Want to Go to Bedders," and "Answer Backers." Each chapter is a self-contained story, so kids can read them in small increments, if they like. Other titles in the series are:
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic

Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (HarperCollins))
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm
It's a delightful, somewhat old-fashioned, series that still resonates with children today.



Clementine's Letter

Written by: Sara Penny Packer
Illustrated by: Marla Frazee
Recommended Ages: 6-10

As I've written before, boys and girls love Clementine, and will be happy to hear that she's back in two new books. In Clementine's Letter, we find Clementine happily ensconced in third grade with the teacher of her dreams-Mr. D'Matz. Finally she has somehow who understands and accepts her for who she is. Life is good! Then she learns that he has been nominated for a huge Teacher award that will take him away for the rest of the year. She and all of the students have to write a letter of support for him, and you can imagine her dilemma. It's full of typical Clementine moments, complete with her interactions with a substitute teacher, that don't go very smoothly. Pennypacker has done it again and has another winner. There's also another Clementine book-The Talented Clementine, that is another crowd pleaser.

Summer can be the perfect time to introduce new books to kids. Making frequent trips to the library and/or bookstore will ensure that they have a variety of books to choose from so that they have lots of success with their reading. For after all, isn't our ultimate goal for them to become passionate, lifelong readers?

My Weird School Daze-A Series by Dan Gutman

My Weird School Daze #4: Coach Hyatt Is a Riot!

Written by: Dan Gutman
Illustrated by: Jim Paillot
Recommended Ages: 7-10

Over the years, parents have often asked me for good book recommendations for reluctant readers. Typically they are looking for books for kids (it's usually boys) in the second, third or fourth grades. When my kids were young it was the Magic Treehouse series that ultimately turned the reading light on for my two sons. I think if Dan Gutman's My Weird School Daze series had been around 15 years ago, we would have owned every copy.

There are a total of 32 books in the series. The first eleven books are when the kids are in second grade. Then they move up to third grade, and there are an additional 21 books (so far). Each book features AJ (a boy who's not wild about school) and Andrea, his nemesis, who loves school. They also introduce a new, fairly wacky adult into their lives.

Last night I read Coach Hyatt is a Riot, and actually found myself giggling in a few different places. It begins with AJ talking about how much he dislikes school and Andrea, an annoying girl with curly brown hair. He goes on to say how much he loves PeeWee football, even though his team never wins. We then meet his new football coach--Coach Hyatt, who also happens to be a woman (!). Coach Hyatt is hilarious. She calls them ragamuffins and teaches them important football skills such as learning to do an end zone dance. She builds teamwork by having them surround her mini-Cooper and pick it up. When they actually do it she says to them: "Look at that. You ragamuffins picked up a car. That's teamwork! My motto is if you can pick up a car, you'll go far."

Yes, it is silly. And yes there are places in the book that made me cringe as a mom. (In the beginning of the book, there are third grade girls coming out as cheerleaders to cheer the peewee football players on, which really pushed my buttons. But the good news is that Andrea ends up being recruited to play on the football team and is the star.) Gutman knows his audience, and his audience loves this kind of book.

So if you have a child who doesn't naturally gravitate towards books, try picking up one of Dan Gutman's Weird School Series books. The reading level is appropriate for emerging readers, the stories are funny and the characters are believable, in a quirky kind of way.

Here's a list of the books (taken straight from Dan Gutman's website):

1. Miss Daisy is Crazy!
2. Mr. Klutz is Nuts!
3. Mrs. Roopy is Loopy!
4. Ms. Hannah is Bananas!
5. Miss Small is Off the Wall!
6. Mr. Hynde is Out of His Mind!
7. Mrs. Cooney is Loony!
8. Ms. LaGrange is Strange!
9. Miss Lazar is Bizarre!
10. Mr. Docker is Off His Rocker!
11. Mrs. Kormel is Not Normal!
12. Ms. Todd is Odd!
13. Mrs. Patty is Batty!
14. Miss Holly is Too Jolly!
15. Mr. Macky is Wacky!
16. Ms. Coco is Loco!
17. Miss Suki is Kooky!
18. Mrs. Yonkers is Bonkers!
19. Dr. Carbles is Losing His Marbles!
20. Mr. Louie is Screwy!
21. Ms. Krup Cracks Me Up!
22. Mrs. Dole is Out of Control!
23. Mr. Sunny is Funny!
24. Mr. Granite is from Another Planet!
25. Coach Hyatt is a Riot!
26. Officer Spence Makes No Sense!
27. Mrs. Jafee is Daffy!
28. Dr. Brad Has Gone Mad!
29. Miss Laney is Zany!
30. Mrs. Lizzy is Dizzy!
31. Miss Mary is Scary!
32. Mr. Tony is Full of Baloney!

Jenny and the Cat Club (a classic worth checking out)

Jenny and the Cat Club: A Collection of Favorite Stories about Jenny Linsky (New York Review Children's Collection)

Written and Illustrated by: Esther Averill
Recommended Ages: 4-8

A friend of mine recently told me about a series of books that she and her second grade daughter were reading (and thoroughly enjoying). She explained that they were originally published in the 1940's, ran for many years, went out of print and were re-released a few years ago. I was intrigued. She brought over a copy of Jenny and the Cat Club, and I was totally smitten.

Jenny Linsky is a shy, little black cat that lives with Captain Tinker, an old sailor. Jenny and the Cat Club is the earliest collection of cat stories in which we are introduced to Jenny, the only cat in the neighborhood that does not belong to the cat club. The club is made up of cats named Mr. President, Butterfly, Romulus and Remus, Macaroni, Sinbad and The Duke. Jenny hears them outside at night and wishes she could join them. But she is too shy to approach them, and for the longest time just observes from a distance. In the first story, we watch Jenny as she gains confidence and comes into her own as a skater. Soon after that, she is made a member of the cat club.

There are a total of five chapters in the book, and each one can stand alone by itself. These are perfect bed-time stories in an old-fashioned, but still very relevant way. Issues like friendship, loyalty and even jealousy are addressed in a quiet, but deft manner. By the end of chapter one, you find that you really care for Jenny and the gentle way she faces the challenges that arise.

I have to say something about the illustrations, which I found quite charming. They are simple, yet beautiful, mostly black and white, with just a dash of color thrown in. Jenny, in particular, is quite a sight with her red scarf (knit by the old sailor) draped around her neck. Kids will be drawn into the marvelous world of these cats, which has a very familiar home-like quality to it.

After reading Jenny and the Cat Club, I found that I was captivated by Esther Averill and had to find out what other books she had written. On my search I came across The Fire Cat and it took my breath away. I remembered that The Fire Cat was one of the first books I checked out from the library and read on my own. I was swept back in time to the thrill of that very major accomplishment many years ago. It gave me goosebumps to see it again. It's still in print, so if you have an emerging reader you might want to check it out. Or perhaps, like me, you remember picking up and reading it, or another of Esther Averill's books, a long time ago.

The Fire Cat (I Can Read Book 1)

Written by: Esther Averill
Recommended Ages: 5-7 year olds (early reader)

Henry and Mudge, A Great Early Reader Series

Henry And Mudge First Book
Written by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by Sucie Stevenson
Recommended Ages: 4-8

It's hard to believe that I have not yet written about Cynthia Rylant. She is a prolific writer (over 100 books) and one of my favorite children's authors. She's written picture books, early readers, poetry, middle grade and young adult novels. She's won the Newbery and many other awards in a career that spans just 27 years.

One series of hers that all of my kids loved when they were learning to read was Henry and Mudge. They are considered early chapter books, but they also have wonderful illustrations to move the reader along (perfect for the child who is not quite ready for a full-blown chapter book).

The story in each of the books is usually pretty simple. In the first book, we are introduced to Henry. He is a little boy who lives with his mom and dad. He has no brothers and sisters, and lives in a neighborhood with no other children to play with. He's lonely. Finally his parents get him a puppy--Mudge. Mudge starts off as a tiny little thing, only to end up as a 180-pound best friend to Henry. Their friendship is what all 28 Henry and Mudge books is centered around.

The text is simple and straightforward. Each book is divided into chapters (three or four, usually), which help the child feel like they are reading a real chapter book. The pace is perfect for the newly emergent reader, and the length of each book feels just right. If you have a child who is just cracking the reading code, or a reluctant reader, I highly recommend the Henry and Mudge Series.

Here's a list of all of the books. It's wonderful to see that Cynthia Rylant continues to add to the series. There are at least ten new books since my kids last read them.

1. Henry and Mudge: The First Book (1987)
2. Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble (1987)
3. Henry and Mudge in the Green Time (1987)
4. Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon (1987)
5. Henry and Mudge in the Sparkle Days (1988)
6. Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea (1989)
7. Henry and Mudge Get the Cold Shivers (1989)
8. Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat (1990)
9. Henry and Mudge and the Bedtime Thumps (1991)
10. Hanry and Mudge Take the Big Test (1991)
11. Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend (1992)
12. Henry and Mudge and the Wild Wind (1993)
13. Henry and Mudge and the Careful Cousin (1994)
14. Henry and Mudge and the Best Day of All (1995)
15. Henry and Mudge in the Family Trees (September 1998)
16. Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers (February 1999)
17. Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (May 1999)
18. Henry and Mudge and Annie's Good Move (January 2000)
19. Henry and Mudge and the Snowman Plan (October 2000)
20. Henry and Mudge and Annie's Perfect Pet (February 2001)
21. Henry and Mudge and the Tall Tree House (December 2003)
22. Henry and Mudge and Mrs. Hopper's House (January 2004)
23. Henry and Mudge and the Wild Goose Chase (April 2004)
24. Henry and Mudge and the Funny Lunch (April 2005)
25. Henry and Mudge and a Very Merry Christmas (October 2005)
26. Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas (June 2006)
27. Henry and Mudge and the Tumbling Trip (October 2006)
28. Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover (May 2007)

Lucy Cousins: Maisy Books AND a Brand New Fairy Tale Book

The Maisy Books and Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales

The Maisy Books By Lucy Cousins
Recommended Ages: Babies to Preschoolers!

Lucy Cousins is best known for her Maisy picture books. Maisy is a mouse in a world inhabited by ducks, horses, and alligators for friends. These delightful books are geared for the toddler/preschool crowd and cover a range of topics, such as going to preschool, bedtime rituals, grocery shopping and going to the dentist for the first time. They are boldly illustrated in primary colors and outlined in black. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers will identify with Maisy, as she maneuvers her way through life as a small child. A definite recommendation for the 1-4 crowd.

Lucy Cousins has just come out with a new book of Fairy Tales, which is worth checking out. It has a completely different feel to it than the Maisy books, but equally compelling.


Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
Written and Illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Recommended Ages: 4-8

In Yummy, you will find eight well-known fairy tales, told in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner. By that, I mean these are not the sugarcoated versions we've been used to hearing. In Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf eats the grandma (her legs sticking out of his open jaws is quite a vision) and Little Red Riding Hood, only to meet his end when the hunter comes by and chops his head off (the head is shown flying in the air). But LRRH and Grandma do jump out and "live happily ever after."

Perhaps you remember the story of The Little Red Hen, where the hen asks her friends (the dog, goose and cat) to help her plant some wheat. They claim to be too busy. She then asks them to help her cut the wheat, and once again they are "too busy." And so on and so on, until she has finally baked the bread and asks, "who will help me eat the bread?" They all shout out "I will." And the Little Red Hen says "no you won't." and eats it all by herself. While some more whitewashed versions of late have her sharing the bread, I think this version is actually the fairer one. They didn't help her do all the work, so why should she share the fruits of her labor?

The other stories in the collection include: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip, Henny Penny, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs and the Musicians of Bremen.

Cousins' illustrations are bold and eye catching. They also help lessen the impact of the stories a bit. The expressions on the animals' and peoples' faces (complete with rosy cheeks) can't help but add a bit of hilarity to each situation. Somehow, Cousins pulls off an unflinching look at these fairy tales, without scaring the pants off of kids. Take a look at this big, vibrant book.

BookNosher Tidbit: Much has been written about the importance of fairy tales in children's development. A fellow blogger wrote a post a while ago, which I think sums it up very nicely. Here's the link.

Beginning Reader Series: Houndsley and Catina

I remember how exciting it is when your child first starts to read. I also remember how difficult it can be to find the right books to test out their new skills. You want books that are easy enough to read and stimulating enough to hold their attention. James Howe (of Bunnicula fame) has created a lovely series of beginning reader books about the adventures of Houndsley and Catina.

The latest in the series is Houndsley and Catina Plink and Plunk. Houndsley (a dog) and Catina (a cat) are best friends, despite their very different interests (and very different personalities). Houndsley likes to canoe, and Catina likes to bike. Without giving away the plot, through a series of adventures they discover things about each other they didn't know before. It's a gentle book that celebrates friendship, as well as the differences between friends.

There are three other Houndsley and Catina books: Houndsley and Catina, Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time and Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise. All are well written and beautifully illustrated by Marie-Louise Guy. Emergent readers will be delighted to discover this lovely series of books.

BookNosher Tidbits: Houndsley and Catina was the 2007 winner of the EB White Read Aloud Award for Picture Books.

BookNosher Activities: With summer just around the corner, you and your child can create a summer reading log. Together you can come up with a design and individualize it. Depending on the age of your child, you can use gold stars, stickers, or just colored markers to show their reading progress over the summer. Set goals at the beginning of the summer (such as reading ALL of the Houndsley and Catina books) and help them reach their goals. Your kids will feel proud of themselves as they track their progress.

What's So Great About a Box?

Do you remember the lure of a big box as a child? Are your kids thrilled when you buy something that comes in a box bigger than they are? If so, then this book is for you.

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis, is a tribute to the age-old tradition of a child turning a box into something else, something deep within their imagination. Not a Box stars a rabbit and a box. Written in a question and answer format, an off the pages voice asks the rabbit:

"What are you doing with that box?"

Turn the page and the rabbit answers:

"It's not a box."

There on the page you see red lines drawn over the black box and the box is transformed into a pirate ship, a hot air balloon, a space ship (you get the idea).

The illustrations are spare and simple. And humorous. Somehow, Portis manages to make a stick figure bunny have lots of personality. In addition, the outside cover of the book is made to look and feel like a cardboard box, complete with a "This Side Up" on the back.

One of the beauties of this book is that it will appeal to very young children, as well as beginning readers (4, 5, and 6 year olds). Published in 2006, it's a classic in the works.

BookNosher Tidbit: Not A Box was selected as a Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book in 2007. The Theodore Seuss Geisel annual award was established in 2006 for the author and illustrator who make the most distinguished beginning reader books.

BookNosher Activities: This is easy. Get a box and watch your child soar off to places far away.