2010 PreK-First Grade Annotated Summer Reading List
Award Winners 2009-10
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (2009). In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle. (2010 Caldecott Award Winner)
Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman (2009). Illustrations and simple text combine the senses of sight, sound, smell, and taste to describe the colors of the seasons. (2010 Caldecott Honor)
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon (2009). Follows a group of family members and friends through the course of a day as they learn the importance of all things great and small. (2010 Caldecott Honor)
Benny and Penny in The Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes (2009). Two mice meet their new neighbor and discover that she is not as scary as they feared. (2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner)
Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith (2009). Little Mouse gets dressed so he can go to the barn with his mother, brothers, and sisters. (2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor)
Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends by Wong Herbert Yee (2009). When spring arrives, Mole and Mouse find a unique way to bird watch. (2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor)
Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day by Wong Herbert Yee (2009). When spring arrives, Mole and Mouse find a unique way to bird watch. (2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor)
My People by Langston Hughes (2009). Sepia toned photographs by Charles R. Smith, Jr. accompany Langston Hughes' classic poem "My People" and celebrate the glory, beauty, and soul of the African-American community. (2010 Coretta Scott King Award)
The Day-glo Brothers: the True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-new Colors by Chris Barton (2009). Illustrations and easy-to-follow text describe how brothers Bob and Joe Switzer invented fluorescent paint and colors; and explains how fluorescence works. (2010 Robert F. Silbert Medal Honor)
Moonshot: the Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca (2009). An illustrated account of the flight of Apollo 11 in 1969, the first manned mission to land on the moon. (2010 Robert F. Silbert Medal Honor)
Book Fiesta by Pat Mora (2009). Colorful illustrations and text describe people of various ethnicities and languages enjoying reading. Presented in English and Spanish. (2010 Pura Belpre Award Winner)
Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora (2009). A young multiracial boy celebrates family, friendship, and fun by telling about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful. Presented in English and Spanish. (2010 Pura Belpre Honor)
My Abuelita by Tony Johnston (2009). With great gusto, a child's grandmother performs deep knee bends, consumes a breakfast of "huevos estrellados," and practices vocal exercises before going to work as a storyteller. (2010 Pura Belpre Honor)
Noteable Picture Books
Birds by Kevin Henkes (2009). Fascinated by the colors, shapes, sounds, and movements of the many different birds she sees through her window, a little girl is happy to discover that she and they have something in common.
A Book by Mordicai Gerstein (2009). A young girl living in a book tries to find a story of her own while figuring out what a reader is and thinking about the stories of her family members.
A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na (2009). While other animals sleep at night, some quietly and others noisily, some alone and others huddled together, a wide-eyed owl watches.
Cool Cat by Nonny Hogrogian (2009). A wordless book in which a cat uses paint and gets help from friends to transform his brown world into a colorful place to live.
Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (2009). Two unseen characters argue about whether the creature they are looking at is a rabbit or a duck.
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown (2009). Liam discovers a hidden garden and with careful tending spreads color throughout the gray city.
Little Chick by Amy Hest (2009). A collection of three stories in which Little Chick learns how to deal with life's disappointments with the help of his beloved auntie.
Willoughby & the Lion by Greg Foley (2009). When Willoughby moves to a new house far away from his friends, he meets an enchanted lion who shows him what is truly important in life.
Otis by Loren Long (2009). When a big new yellow tractor arrives, Otis the friendly little tractor is cast away behind the barn, but when trouble occurs Otis is the only one who can help.
Scaredy Squirrel at Night by Melanie Watt (2009). Scaredy Squirrel is afraid to sleep at night for fear he will dream of dragons, ghosts, vampire bats, and polka-dot monsters, so he makes an elaborate plan to avoid sleeping.
A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis (2009). Edna, a penguin who is searching for something different than her world of white snow, blue water, and black night, finds a large, bright orange research station with people wearing similarly colored apparel, and when she brings the other penguins to see, they are all amazed by her discovery.
When Stella Was Very, Very Small by Marie-Louise Gay. (2009). Stella uses her imagination to play as she grows from a baby into a big sister.
Finn Throws a Fit! by David Elliott (2009). Finn, cranky for some unknown reason, feels much better after throwing an earthshaking tantrum.
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas (2009). Finn, cranky for some unknown reason, feels much better after throwing an earthshaking tantrum.
The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel (2009). In this variation of "The Three Little Pigs" set in the Southwest, three little tamales escape from a restaurant before they can be eaten, and set up homes in the prairie, cornfield, and desert.
Thunder-boomer! by Shutta Crum (2009). A farm family scurries for shelter from a violent thunderstorm that brings welcome relief from the heat and also an unexpected surprise.
Tortuga in Trouble by Ann Whitford Paul (2009). Tortuga arrives at his grandmother's house to bring her supper and is alarmed to find her looking suspiciously like Coyote. Includes a glossary of Spanish words.
The Frogs and Toads All Sang by Arnold Lobel (2009). Presents a linked collection of ten short stories in rhyme featuring frogs, toads, and polliwogs.
Hook by Ed Young (2009). A chick hatched by hens turns out to be an eaglet who must get help from a boy in learning how to fly.
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney (2009). Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school.
Billy & Milly, Short & Silly by Eve B. Feldman (2009). Contains thirteen very short, silly stories that follow the adventures of Billy and Milly.
Are You a Horse? by Andy Rash (2009). Roy receives a saddle for his birthday, and sets out in search of a horse to use it on.
Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson (2009). A family works together to buy, peel, cook, and stir apples for the homemade applesauce they make every year.
Beginner Readers & Beginner Chapter Books
Annie and Snowball and the Magical House by Cynthia Rylant (2010). Annie takes her rabbit to the home of her new friend, Sarah, to play and enjoys seeing the pretty house full of frilly things, walking in the beautiful garden, and making a tiny garden house for a fairy tea party.
The Berenstain Bears' Class Trip by Jan & Mike Berenstain (2009). Papa Bear's excitement over Brother Bear's class trip to a honey farm, leads to a series of misadventures.
A Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker (2009). Despite Bear's efforts to ignore his birthday, Mouse will not rest until his friend celebrates.
Biscuit takes a walk by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (2009). A playful puppy wants to see everything on a walk to Grandpa's house.
The Bus Stop by Nora Gaydos (2009). Stickers and wipe off pages help children learn to read in this simple tale of a duck waiting for the school bus.
The Cat on the Mat is Flat by Andy Griffiths (2009). These nine rhyming stories, inspired by the work of Dr. Seuss, involve animals in silly situations: from a frog on a log chasing a dog, to a yak named Jack with a fondness for snacks.
Eloise Visits the Zoo by Lisa McClatchy (2009). Eloise and Nanny have fun together at the zoo.
Fly Guy meets Fly Girl! by Tedd Arnold (2010). When Fly Guy meets Fly Girl, he is amazed and smitten.
Fancy Nancy : Every Day is Earth Day by Jane O'Connor (2010). Fancy Nancy does her best to make sure Mom, Dad, and her little sister do their part to protect the environment, but her efforts to be greener soon go too far.
Olivia and Her Ducklings by Veera Hiranandani (2009). Olivia is thrilled when three baby ducks follow her home, but she is not sure how to take care of them.
Pigs Make Me Sneeze! by Mo Willems (2009). Gerald, a cautious and pessimistic elephant, believes he is allergic to his best friend, the optimistic and occasionally reckless Piggie, and is concerned that he will need to stay away from his pal forever.
Shampoodle by Joan Holub (2009). Rhyming text describes a dog grooming establishment on picture day and the uproar some curious kittens cause when they try to explore.
Where is My Hat? by Nora Gaydos (2008). Pages with writing and drawing activities help children learn to read through a simple story about a dog in search of a missing red hat. Includes stickers.
Annie and Simon by Catharine O'Neill (2010). Contains four stories that follow the adventures of young Annie, her very patient older brother Simon, and their dog Hazel, as they go on a canoe ride, suffer a bee sting, think about careers, and look for falling stars.
Beyond Princess Books
Princess Hyacinth : The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated by Florence Parry Heide (2009). Princess Hyacinth is bored and unhappy sitting in her palace every day because, unless she is weighed down by specially-made clothes, she will float away, but her days are made brighter when kite-flying Boy stops to say hello.
Fancy Nancy and the Sensational Babysitter by Jane O'Connor (2010). Nancy is tremendously excited about her new babysitter coming over. She has their whole evening planned out, from playing with Marabelle to dressing up in fancy ensembles. But things don't turn out quite as Nancy had planned!
Stagecoach Sal by Deborah Hopkinson (2009). Stagecoach driver Sal embarks on her first solo journey to deliver the mail and has a run in with the robber Poetic Pete.
Alice in Wonderland retold by Jon Scieszka (2008). A retelling of Disney's "Alice in Wonderland," following the adventures of the young girl after she falls down a rabbit hole into a magical world.
Don't Kiss the Frog!: Princess Stories With Attitude by Lou Kuenzler (2008). A collection of six stories about princesses who are anything but ordinary princesses.
Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke (2007). Tired of being a princess, the youngest of three sisters throws her crown out the window and finds happiness working in the royal kitchen and pigsty.
Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy by David Soman and Jacky Davis (2009). Friends Sam and Lulu play Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, saving the playground from hairy monsters and big mean robots.
Good Enough to Eat by Brock Cole (2007). An Ogre comes to town demanding a bride, so the mayor decides to sacrifice a homeless girl with no name whom everyone thinks is a pest; however, she finds a way to outwit them all.
Princess Justina Albertina: A Cautionary Tale by Ellen Dee Davidson (2007). A spoiled, demanding young princess who sends her nanny to the far corners of the world in search of the perfect pet finally gets exactly what she deserves.
The Fiesta Dress: A Quinceanera Tale by Caren McNelly McCormack (2009). While Eva and her family prepare for her quinceanera, no one is paying attention to her younger sister, but when the dog gets out of the laundry room and steals Eva's sash, her little sister comes to the rescue.
Beyond Star Wars Book
Let's Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile (2009). Young friends Frankie and Sal, believing they have "done it all," decide to do nothing for a while, but Frankie has a little trouble with the concept and it is not long before the boys realize there is no way to do nothing.
Cromwell Dixon's Sky-cycle by John Abbott Nez (2009). In 1907 Columbus, Ohio, fourteen-year-old Cromwell Dixon, aided by his mother, begins building the flying bicycle he has invented to enter in the St. Louis Airship Carnival. Includes facts about Dixon's life as an aviation pioneer.
Bob's Best Ever Friend by Simon Bartram (2009). Bob, the man on the moon, is a bit lonely so decides to start looking for a best friend to keep him company, but his search is not going well until he spies a furry tail sticking out of crater 204.
Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black (2009). Simple rhyming text and illustrations present the hindquarters of various animals, including moose, chickens, polar bears, and guinea pigs.
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee (2008). Friends James and Eamon enjoy a wonderful week at the home of Eamon's grandparents during summer vacation.
Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown (2003). After a bulletin board falls on Stanley while he is sleeping, he finds that being flat has its advantages.
T-Rex vs. Robo-Dog 3000 by Scott Nickel (2009). David's brother, Darrin, creates a radio-controlled dog, and, when a T Rex is transported from the past, the dog turns into the ultimate fighting machine and stops at nothing to protect the boys.
Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson (2006). In 1931, a boy and his father watch as the world's tallest building, the Empire State Building, is constructed, step-by-step, near their Manhattan home.
David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon (2002). When David gets in trouble, he has excuses right up until bedtime, when he realizes he really is sorry.
Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug by Ellie Bethel (2009). Michael Recycle swoops down to confront Litterbug Doug about the growing dump in which he is living, and enlists the townspeople in helping Doug clean up.
Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold (2005). When Buzz captures a fly to enter in The Amazing Pet Show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong.
Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin (2007). A young fly discovers, day by day, that there is a lot to learn about being an insect, including the dangers of flyswatters and that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates by Kevin O'Malley and Patrick O'Brien (2007). Captain Raptor and the crew of the "Megatooth" are called back into action to save the planet Jurassica from rogue space pirates.
SuperHero ABC by Bob McLeod! (2006). Humorously-named superheroes such as Goo Girl and The Volcano represent the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.
Atomic Ace (He's Just My Dad) by Jeff Weigel (2004). In this rhyming story told in comic book format, a boy considers his family normal, though his superhero dad, Atomic Ace, does amazing feats, even battling the evil Insect King.
I Stink! by Kate McMullan (2002). A big city garbage truck makes its rounds, consuming everything from apple cores and banana peels to leftover ziti with zucchini.
Traction Man Meets Turbodog by Mini Grey (2008). Traction Man braves the evil bin things in order to save Scrubbing Brush, who had been thrown away by the little boy's father and replaced with a battery-operated dog.
Biographies
Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude by Jonah Winter (2009). And Gertrude is Gertrude Stein, a most fabulous writer, who lived a most fabulous life"--Cover. Verse and illustrations describe the lives of American writer Gertrude Stein and her life partner, Alice B. Toklas.
The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino (2009). A pictorial biography of Jacques Cousteau, covering his adventures aboard "Calypso" with his team of scientists, diving equipment, and waterproof cameras, and work to protect the oceans from pollution.
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter (2009). Offers a brief overview of the life of Sandy Koufax, discussing the obstacles and physical challenges he faced, his successful career, his retirement, and other related topics.
Mermaid Queen: the Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune, & Swimsuit History! by Shana Corey (2009). An illustrated biography of Annette Kellerman, an early feminist who overcame a childhood illness to become internationally recognized for her swimming, invention of water ballet, and introduction of the modern swimsuit for women.
Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci by Gene Barretta (2009). Looks at the ideas of fifteenth-century artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, and shows how some of his drawings and descriptions inspired later inventions such as hang gliders, automobiles, and robots.
Our Abe Lincoln: An Old Tune With New Lyrics by Jim Aylesworth (2009). Rhythmic verse tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's life, from his childhood in the wilderness of Illinois to his famous achievements as president.
Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange (2009). An illustrated biography of Coretta Scott King, describing her childhood in the segregated South, her marriage to Martin Luther King, Jr., and her civil rights work.
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull (2009). Presents a picture-book biography of Philo Farnsworth, who created the world's first television image in 1928.
Teedie: The Story of Young Teddy Roosevelt by Don Brown (2009). A picture-book biography on the life and adventures of Theodore Roosevelt, the youngest president of the United States.
Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson by Sharon Robinson (2009). As a testament to his courage, Jackie Robinson's daughter shares memories of him, from his baseball career to the day he tests the ice for her, her brothers, and their friends.
Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar! by Bob Barner (2009). A discussion, with paper-collage illustrations, of how the lives of butterflies intersected with those of dinosaurs millions of years ago.
Dinotrux by Chris Gall (2009). Illustrations and simple text introduce creatures that are part truck and part dinosaur in a safari through a world ruled by the Craneosaurus, the Garbageadon, and Tyrannosaurus Trux.
Tadpole Rex by Kurt Cyrus (2008). A tiny primordial tadpole grows into a frog, feeling just as strong and powerful as the huge tyrannosaurus rex that stomps through the mud.
I'm Bad! by Kate & Jim McMullan (2008). A hungry Tyrannosaurus Rex searches for food in the prehistoric forest but is thwarted in its attempts to find something to eat.
Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian (2009). Presents illustrated verse about various carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs, including the Iguanodon, Spinosaurus, and long-necked plesiosaurs.
Inside-outside Dinosaurs by Roxie Munro (2009). A picture book featuring skeletons and illustrations of eight dinosaurs.
Buying, Training, & Caring for Your Dinosaur by Laura Joy Rennert (2009). Presents a humorous guide to selecting, owning, and caring for a pet dinosaur, covering feeding, exercise, veterinary visits, bathing, and training.
Poetry
City I Love by Lee Bennett Hopkins (2009). Collects eighteen poems by American poet Lee Bennett Hopkins that guide the reader through cities around the world, including New York, San Francisco, London, Tokyo, and elsewhere, with illustrations by Marcellus Hall.
Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles by J. Patrick Lewis (2009). An illustrated collection of thirteen poems, each of which poses a riddle about a familiar story.
Button Up!: Wrinkled Rhymes by Alice Schertleby (2009). A collection of poems about clothes and animals wearing them.
Today at the Bluebird Cafe: A Branchful of Birds by Deborah Ruddell (2007). A collection of twenty-two children's poems about birds, including blue jays, toucans, and cockatoos.
Animal Snackers by Betsy Lewin (2004). Short poems describe the eating habits of many different kinds of animals.
Summersaults: Poems & Paintings by Douglas Florian (2002). A collection of poems and paintings about the joys of summer by Douglas Florian.
Guess Again! by Mac Barnet (2009). On die-cut cover with lift-the-flap, cut-out, and folded pages. Engages young readers in a scenario that keeps them guessing over and over again.
Brothers & Sisters: Family Poems by Eloise Greenfield (2009). A collection of illustrated poetry by Eloise Greenfield that describes the relationship shared by brothers and sisters, and other family-related topics.
Change-up: Baseball Poems by Gene Fehler (2009). A collection of illustrated poems by Gene Fehler on various baseball subjects, such as pitching, batting, winning, losing, superstitions, and spectators.
Chatter, Sing, Roar, Buzz: Poems About the Rain Forest by Laura Purdie Salas (2009). A collection of original, rain forest-themed poetry accompanied by photographs, and presents a variety of common poetic forms with definitions of poetic devices.
A Curious Collection of Cats: Concrete Poems by Betsy Franco (2009). Contains thirty-four visual poems by American writer Betsy Franco, centered on the strange behavior of cats, including their acrobatics and ability to drink from toilet bowls and damage furniture.
Food Hates You, Too and Other Poems by Robert Weinstock (2009). A collection of nineteen illustrated, humorous poems about food.
A Fuzzy-fast Blur: Poems About Pets by Laura Purdie Salas (2009). A collection of pet-themed poetry for children that includes full-color photographs of dogs, cats, birds, snakes, fish, hamsters, and others.
Graphic Novels
I Am Going! by Mo Willems (2010). Piggie ruins a perfectly good day by telling Gerald the elephant that she is going, sending him into a panic.
Princess Candy: Sugar Hero by Michael Dahl (2009). For her eleventh birthday, Halo Nightly is given a collection of brightly colored candies from her Aunt Pandora, and when she learns that the sweets give her the powers of nature, she uses them to combat Doozie Hiss, her rival, who has superpowered hair.
Tiger Moth: The Pest Show On Earth by Aaron Reynolds (2008). Fourth grade ninjas Tiger Moth and Kung Pow visit the traveling carnival and find out that Weevil has planned an evil trick.
Wagon Train Adventure by John Kelly (2008). In 1849, twelve-year-old Sarah and her family and friends have an adventure while traveling west to California.
Babymouse #10: The Musical by Jennifer L. Holm (2009). As tryouts for the school musical begin, Babymouse takes the starring role in several imaginary Broadway productions, which also feature her debonair new classmate, Henry the hedgehog.
Stinky: A Toon Book by Eleanor Davis (2008). Stinky, a monster who lives in a swamp, comes up with all kinds of strange ways to get rid of a kid who has wandered into his territory.
Benny and Penny In The Toy Breaker: A Toon Book by Geoffrey Hayes (2010). Benny and Penny try to hide their toys from cousin Bo so he will not break them, but the trio then struggle to find something fun to do.
Beyond the Black Hole by Blake A. Hoena (2009). While trying to figure out how to use a black hole to take over the Earth, Eek and Ack accidentally get sucked into the black hole's gravity, and end up in the Z Universe with two pink and fluffy aliens named Zeek and Zack, who are determined to protect their planet, Zearth.
Buzz Beaker vs Dracula by Scott Nickel (2009). Dracula is captured by the brainy Buzz Beaker, who helps the blood-sucking bat become King of the Beach instead of Lord of the Vampires.
The Adventures of Polo by Regis Faller (2006). Polo the dog sets out from his home and enjoys many adventures, including sailing his boat on top of a whale, roasting hot dogs over a volcano, and taking a ride in a spaceship built from a mushroom.
Backyard Bug Battle: A Buzz Beaker Brainstorm by Scott Nickel (2007). Buzz Beaker mixes up his Super-Sticky Bug Goo with his dad's super-fast grow juice resulting in a backyard full of gigantic bees and fleas.
Bella's Boat Surprise by Christianne C. Jones (2010). Bella is disappointed to learn that her family boat trip is onboard a motorboat, but soon begins to have fun. Includes discussion questions and writing prompts.
Bree's Bike Jump by Lori Mortensen (2010). Bree tries to think of a way to overcome her fears so she can negotiate the big, scary bike jump that looks like it is too steep.
Happy Happy Clover: Volume 1 by Sayuri Tatsuyama (2009). Clover the bunny has adventures in Crescent Forest investigating a haunted spring, getting chased by a farmer, and trying to avoid a fox.
Johnny Boo: Twinkle Power by James Kochalka (2008). Johnny Boo and his friend Squiggle try to show each other how to use their powers, and Johnny encounters the Ice Cream Monster while Squiggle searches for Twinkle Power in the sky.
Phonics Comics: Sugar & Spice by Wendy Wax (2007). Contains three short stories, featuring friends Sugar and Spice, designed to help young readers develop strong reading skills. (Beginner Reader)
There's a Wolf at the Door by Zoe B. Alley (2008). As his plans are spoiled over and over again, the wolf keeps trying to find his dinner, in this retelling of five well-known stories and fables.
Blast to the Past by Scott Nickel (2006). Darrin invents a time machine in his bedroom in order to go back in time a few days to retake a test he and his friend Ben flunked; but instead of zapping back to history class, the boys might just become history.
Airplane Adventure by Cari Meister (2010). Juan and Anna take a trip on an airplane to visit their grandma in Mexico. Includes discussion questions and writing prompts.
Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon (2009). Danny Dragonbreath and his friend Wendell get an up-close underwater tour of the Sargasso Sea from Danny's sea-serpent cousin, encountering giant squid and mako sharks--and learn about standing up to bullies in the process.
Phonics Comics: Cave Dave by Carol McAdams Moore (2007). Presents three short stories featuring Cave Dave designed to help young readers develop strong reading skills. (Beginner Reader)
Phonics Comics: The Fearless Four by Lara Bergen (2007). Presents three short stories featuring the Fearless Four designed to help young readers develop strong reading skills. (Beginner Reader)
Phonics Comics: Teeny Genie by Judy Katschke (2009). Introduces twelve sight words through a comic story in which a boy who is new in the neighborhood tries to make friends by having a genie grant him wishes. (Beginner Reader)
Popular Books in a Series
Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes by Kate DiCamillo (2009). Mr. and Mrs. Watson think it is a wonderful idea to bring their pet pig Mercy to the drive-in, and when Mercy arrives, she sets off on a mission to find her own buttery bucket of popcorn, much to the dismay of the other movie patrons.
Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants by Dav Pilkey (2003). When Professor Pippy P. Poopypants comes to Jerome Horwitz Elementary School to teach science, and he goes off the deep end because students make fun of his name, only Captain Underpants can save the school from the professor's perilous plot.
Flat Stanley: Stanley and the Magic Lamp by Jeff Brown (2003). The members of the Lambchop family react differently when a boistrous genie grants their wishes for fame, power, and the ability to fly.
Magic Tree House: Moonlight on the Magic Flute by Mary Pope Osborne (2010). Jack and Annie travel to Vienna, Austria, in 1762, where they meet the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his sister and help save the budding genius' life.
Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (2004). Nate the Great solves the mystery of the missing picture.
Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol (2007). Fifth grader Leroy Brown solves ten mysteries and, by putting the solutions at the back of the book, challenges the reader to do the same.
The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: Every Cloud has a Silver Lining by Anne Mazer (2000). Abby hopes to prove that she is as great as her siblings.
Sister Magic: The Trouble with Violet by Anne Mazer (2007). When strange things start happening and eight-year-old Mabel, who is very sensible, cannot figure them out, she discovers a family secret that affects her younger sister Violet.
Secret Agent Jack Stalwart [set/series] (2009). Nine-year-old secret agent Jack Stalwart travels the world in search of his lost brother as he solves thrilling international crimes. Jack leads readers on pulse-pounding adventures while imparting fascinating geographical, cultural, and historical facts along the way.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows (2009). Features humorous stories about two mischievous and delightful girlfriends, Ivy and Bean.
Sisters 8: Annie's Adventures by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (2008). On New Year's Eve, the octuplets Huit--Annie, Durinda, Georgia, Jackie, Marcia, Petal, Rebecca, and Zinnia--discover that their parents are missing, and then uncover a mysterious note instructing them that each must find her power and her gift if they want to know what happened to their parents.
Geronimo Stilton: Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye illustrations by Matt Wolf (2004). Newspaper editor and adventure author Geronimo Stilton--who is also a mouse--gets roped into his sister Thea's treasure hunt on a remote island after she discovers an intriguing old map.
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot: An Adventure Novel by Dav Pilkey (2000). Ricky Ricotta, a small mouse, saves a giant robot from his evil creator, Dr. Stinky, and in turn, the robot protects Ricky from the bullies at school and it saves the city from Dr. Stinky's plan to destroy it.
Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (2007). Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.
Folk & Fairytales
Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes by Margie Palatini (2009). Retells the fable of a frustrated fox that, after many tries to reach a high bunch of grapes, decides they must be sour anyway.
Chicken Little by Rebecca and Ed Emberley (2009). An illustrated retelling of the story in which Chicken Little becomes convinced the sky is falling after being hit on the head by an acorn.
Tsunami! by Kimiko Kajikawa (2009). A wealthy man in a Japanese village, who everyone calls Ojiisan, which means grandfather, sets fire to his rice fields to warn the innocent people of an approaching tsunami.
Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales by Lucy Cousins (2009). Simple text and bold illustrations tell eight classic fairy tales, including "The Three Little Pigs" and "Little Red Riding Hood."
The 3 Bears and Goldilocks by Margaret Willey (2008). Goldilocks, ignoring her father's warning not to rush in where she does not belong, enters a cabin in the woods, cleans it to meet her standards, plucks from the porridge items unappealing to her before eating a bowlful, and falls asleep on the bed that suits her best.
Anansi and the Sky Kingdom as told by Bobby & Sherry Norfolk (2009). In this story from West Africa, Anansi uses his wits, his trickster skills, and the help of his friends to bring light to the world.
The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales retold by Dawn Casey (2009). Seven folktales from around the world express the belief that the Earth and all living things are sacred, and that it us up to each of us to care for our part of the planet. Includes an introduction and "eco-activity" for each tale.
The Beckoning Cat: Based on a Japanese Folktale by Koko Nishizuka (2009). A retelling of the traditional Japanese tale describing the origins of the beckoning cat and how it came to be a symbol of good luck.
Bokuden and the Bully: A Japanese Folktale adapted by Stephen Krensky (2009). A traditional sixteenth-century Japanese folktale about a swordsman who encounters a warrior during a ferry ride across a river.
The Chocolate Tree: A Mayan Folktale by Linda Lowery and Richard Keep (2009). Retells the legend of Mayan king Kukulkan, who goes against his brother's wishes and gives his people an amazing chocolate tree.
Even Higher!: A Rosh Hashanah Story by I.L.Peretz (2010). Each year just before the High Holidays, the Rabbi of Nemirov disappears. A skeptical stranger refuses to believe in such a miracle and decides to follow him.
Gecko's Complaint: A Balinese Folktale retold by Ann Martin Bowler (2003). A Balinese folktale in which a gecko's griping about enthusiastic fireflies sets off a chain of complaints that is finally resolved by the jungle's lion chief.
How Coyote Stole the Summer: A Native American Folktale adapted by Stephen Krensky (2009). A retelling of a Native American folktale about a coyote that tries to steal summer from Old Woman who keeps it tied up in a bag.
How Many Donkeys?: An Arabic Counting Tale retold by Margaret Read MacDonald and Nadia Jameel Taibah (2009). When Jouha counts the ten donkeys carrying his dates to market, he repeatedly forgets to count the one he is riding on, causing him great consternation. Includes numbers written out in Arabic and in English transliteration, as well as the numerals one through ten, and a note on the origins and other versions of the story.
How Spirit Dog Made the Milky Way: A Retelling of a Cherokee Legend retold by Michael O'Hearn (2009). Illustrations and easy-to-follow text retell the Cherokee legend in which a magical spirit in the form of a dog creates the Milky Way galaxy with cornmeal.
The King and the Seed by Eric Maddern (2009). Old King Karnak holds an unusual competition to find an heir to the throne, asking all the men in the land to grow one seed to determine who is worthy enough to be king.
The Mitten retold by Jim Aylesworth (2009). A retelling of the traditional tale of how a boy's lost mitten becomes a refuge from the cold for an increasing number of animals.
The Night the Moon Fell: A Maya Myth retold by Pat Mora (2009). When the moon falls into the ocean, it rises again with the aid of fish.
One Fine Trade retold by Bobbi Miller (2009). Georgy Piney Woods, the best peddler who ever lived, makes several trades so his daughter can buy a wedding dress.
Pig-Boy: A Trickster Tale From Hawai'i by Gerald McDermott (2009). Pig-Boy, a dirty, hairy trickster, uses his shape-shifting talents to get out of all sorts of troublesome situations.
Surf War!: A Folktale From the Marshall Islands by Margaret Read MacDonald (2009). A bragging contest between Whale and Sandpiper turns into a battle over the beach and sea, until both parties realize that the beach and the sea, as well as sea creatures and shorebirds, are interdependent.
Space & Nature
Tracks of a Panda by Nick Dowson (2007). A mother panda teaches her cub how to survive in their mountain habitat but as the sound of villagers clearing the forest approaches, she knows they must look for a new home.
Butterflies and Moths by Nic Bishop (2009). Full-color photographs and illustrations describe the physical characteristics, behaviors, habits, and life cycle of butterflies and moths.
How to Scratch a Wombat: Where to Find It--What to Feed It--Why it Sleeps All Day by Jackie French (2009). An illustrated introduction to wombats that describes their physiology, history, and behavior and how to take care of them properly.
Life in the Boreal Forest by Brenda Z. Guiberson (2009). Text and watercolor paintings describe the plants, animals, and climate of the boreal forest and discuss threats to the ecosystem.
Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm (2009). Colorful illustrations and text introduces young readers to the importance of sunlight to grow plants, which humans and animals depend on to survive.
One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh (2009). An illustrated retelling of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's lunar landing in 1969.
Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to Remember by Steve Jenkins (2009). Presents an illustrated discussion of what not to do around various dangerous animals, with warnings about petting a platypus, touching a tang fish, or pulling a python's tail.
Panda Kindergarten by Joanne Ryder (2009). Photographs and text follow sixteen panda cubs at the Wolong Nature Preserve, where they are raised and observed by scientists and workers while they learn survival skills that will allow them to be re-released into the wild.
Redwoods by Jason Chi (2009). While reading a book about redwood trees on the subway, a young boy travels as he learns, all the way to the forests of California.
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson (2009). Text and photographs answer a variety of questions about snow, discussing how it forms, shapes of snow crystals, why no two flakes are alike, and more.
What Bluebirds Do by Pamela F. Kirby (2009). Full-color photographs and easy-to-follow text details the unique characteristics and behaviors of bluebirds, and also describes courtship, nesting, hatchlings, fledglings, diet, and other related topics.
Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock (2009). Presents humorous scientific information about the use of bubbles by various animals, such as whales, otters, dolphins, herring, and water shrews, for various recreational or functional purposes, such as hunting, warmth, communication, survival, or as a game.
Armadillo Trail: The Northward Journey of the Armadillo by Stephen R. Swinburne (2009). Illustrations and text follow the armadillo's yearly journey north, describing the dangers it encounters along the way and the methods it uses to protect itself.
Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest: Where Birds Begin by Irene Kelly (2009). Illustrations and simple text introduce young readers to the different ways that birds build their nests.
Honk, Honk, Goose!: Canadian Geese Start a Family by April Pulley (2009). A father goose chooses a mate and stands guard while she lays six eggs, sits on the nest for twenty-eight days, and takes the new chicks for their first swim.
Life in a Coral Reef by Wendy Pfeffer (2009). Explains how coral reefs form, tells what they are made of, and describes some of the animals that live in or around coral reefs.
You Are the First Kid on Mars by Patrick O'Brien (2009). An illustrated introduction to what it might be like to live on Mars, covering a boy's journey into orbit, across the solar system, and into an inhabitable station on the red planet; and includes facts about Mars.
Plant Secrets by Emily Goodman (2009). Simple text and illustrations provide an introduction to botany and the life cycle of a plant.
2009-2010 Author & Illustrator Visits
Smash! Crash! by Jon Scieszka (2008). Jack, a big-rig truck, and his best friend Dan the dump truck, spend their days having fun crashing and smashing things all across town.
Robot Zot! by Jon Scieszka (2009). On a mission to conquer planet Earth, tiny but fearless Robot Zot and his mechanical sidekick leave a path of destruction as they battle kitchen appliances.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin (2006). When Farmer Brown's cows find a typewriter in the barn they start making demands, and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want.
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Babies by Erica Silverman (2010). Cowgirl Kate and her horse Cocoa watch over the new calves, a puppy, and some baby barn owls.
The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews (2004). A collection of nursery rhymes, both familiar and lesser known, illustrated with photographs in a city setting.
Below by Nina Crews (2006). Jack has adventures and rescues with his action-figure, Guy.
Sky-high Guy by Nina Crews (2010). Jack likes to play with his "friend" Guy without the interference of his little brother Gus, but when Guy gets stuck in a tree, Gus is the perfect companion to help Jack rescue him.
Russell Sprouts by Johanna Hurwitz (2001) First grader Russell Michaels grows more than an inch taller, becoming big enough to wear his red slicker and big enough to deal with family and school challenges.
Pee Wee & Plush by Johanna Hurwitz (2002). Pee Wee the guinea pig and his friend Lexi the squirrel help a new guinea pig adjust to life in the wilds of New York City's Central Park, but are unsure what to do about the approach of winter.
Library Catalogs
Online Resources
