Grades 1 & 2 -- [picture books] [non-fiction] [fiction] [chapter books] [poetry]
FOR GRADES 1 & 2
Allard, Harry
Altman, Linda Jacobs
Arnold, Emily
Arnold, Ted
Asch,Frank
Baker, Jeanne
Baker, Keith
Barbot, Daniel
Bechtel, Beverly
Bemelmans, Ludwig
Bleglad, Leonore
Bohdal, Susi
Brown, Margaret Wise
Browne, Anthony
Browne, Anthony
Burningham, John
Calhoun, Marc
Carle, Eric
Cauley, Lorinda B.
Clifton, Lucille
DePaola, Tom
DePaola, Tom
Feller Baur, Caroline
Freeman, Don
Friedman, Ina
Gray, Nigel
Hakes-Noble, Trinka
Havill, Juanita
Henkes, Kevin
Hoban, Russell
Joyce, William
King, Margaree
Kraus, Ruth
Leaf, Munro
Lee Burton, Virginia
Leslie-Melville, Betty
Levy, Elizabeth
Lionni, Leo
Lobel, Arnold
Markun, Patricia Maloney
McCloskey, Robert
McCloskey, Robert
McPhail, David
Ormondroyd, Edward
Patterson, Katherine
Perkins, Lynn Rae
Piper, Watty
Sendak, Maurice
Shaw, Charles
Steig, William
Steig, William
Van Allsburg, Chris
Viorst, Judith
Waber, Bernard
Weiss, George
Williams, Vera
Wood, Audrey
Zolotow, Charlotte
Brandley, Franklyn
Fleming, Denise
Hooper, Meredith
Arnold, Tedd
Chapman, Carol
Mosel, Arlene
Brenner, Barbara
MacLachlan, Patricia
Marshall, James
Minarbik, Else Homelund
Ciardi, John
Milne, A. A.
FOR GRADES 3 & 4
Banks, Lynne Reid
Blume, Judy
Brittain, Bill
Carroll, Lewis
Coatsworth, Elizabeth
Dahl, Ronald
Dahl, Roald
Dane Baur, Marion
Fitzgerald, John
Fleischman, Sid
Fosburgh, Liza
Grahame, Kenneth
Juster, Norton
Mazer, Norma Fox
Robbert, Wilo Davis
Sargent, Sara
Slote, Alfred
Smith, Robert
Spinelli, Jerry
White, E.B.
Yep, Laurence
Aardena, Verna
Baker, Keith
Brio, Val
Carle, Eric
Doros, Arthur
Kaye, M. M.
Munsch, Robert
Steptoe, John
Angelou, Maya
De Regniers, Beatrice
Prelutsky, Jack
Viorst, Judith
Baylor, Byrd
Baylor, Byrd
Patterson, Francine
Angelou, Maya
Brady, Esther Wood
Fritz, Jean
Cameron, Ann
Lester, Julius
Levoy, Myron
Singer, Isaac
Strickland, Dorothy
Thomas, Marlo
Atwater, Richard & Florence
Lofting, Hugh
McCleery, William
Soto, Gary
Steig, Wiliam
Turner, Ann
Williams, Margery
Brother, Aileen
Castaneda, Omar
Cech, John
Dervin, Wendy
Drucker, Malka
Kraus, Robert
Peet, Bill
Polacco, Patricia
Silverstein, Shel
Steig, William
Warren, Andrea
Yashima, Taro
Favorite Read-Aloud Books
Grades 3 & 4 -- [young adult novels] [folk tales] [poetry] [non-fiction] [history] [story collections] [chapter books ] [picture books]
Picture Books
Miss Nelson is Back
Eccentric Miss Nelson uses creative disguises to control her class and amuse readers.
Amelia's Road
The child of immigrant workers, Amelia longs for her own, permanent place.
Mirette on the High Wire
Chronicles an 18th century Parisian girl's experiences with a failed high-wire artist.
Green Wilma
Wilma wakes up one morning and realizes that she has turned into a big, green frog.
The Earth and I
Simple vocabulary is used in this beautiful story of a boy's friendship with the Earth.
Where the Forest Meets the Sea
What will become of the Australian rain forest in an environmentally abusive world? This story predicts its grim future.
The Dove's Letter
The Dove delivers a beautiful and heart-warming letter to many different townspeople and they appreciate her steadfast determination to deliver it.
A Bicycle for Rosura
A Venezuelian village animal lover keeps thousands of pets and decides to buy her hen, Rosura, a bicycle for her birthday.
Lancelot the Ocelot
The moral of this tale is that wild animals should be allowed to roam free.
Madeline
Maleline is a French orphan who has a knack for finding adventure. Be sure to try other books in the Madeline series.
Anna Banana and Me
Anna Banana seems fearless. She invents crazy stories and takes risks that her more timid friend, the narrator, is afraid to take.
Tom Cat
Tom is shunned by the other cast because he can understand other animals' languages. But by the end of the story, he learns to appreciate both his gift and himself.
Goodnight Moon
Suitable for very young audiences, this classic story is soothingly repetitious.
Piggybook
Father and sons take hard-working Mom for granted until she leaves and they literally become PIGS!
Willy and Hugh
Big gorilla, Hugh, and little gorilla, Willy, learn from and help each other.
Aldo
This is the touching story of Aldo, one little girl's treasured imaginary friend.
High Wire Henry
This tale depicts the "sibling-rivalry" that results when Henry the cat's family adopts a dog.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This is a colorful and creatively illustrated story about a caterpillar who becomes a butterfly.
The Ugly Duckling
One "ugly duckling" blossoms into a beautiful swan. This is a classic tale of self-esteem and acceptance.
Three Wishes
Lucille Clifton is a famous African-American author and poet who writes books for both adults and children. Try her other stories and poems.
Bill and Pete
This story depicts the adventures of Bill, a crocodile, and Pete, his faithful bird-toothbrush. Also try Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile.
Tom
The well-loved author's autobiography.
Too Many Books
Maralou loves reading, and her enthusiasm for books infects her entire room.
Corduroy
A toy bear waits for the right owner.
How My Parents Learned to Eat
How one girl's Japanese and American parents learned to use both chopsticks and forks and, in so doing, learned to accept and value both traditions.
A Country Far Away
This book compares the culture of American suburbia with that of the African savanna.
The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash
When Jimmy brings his pet boa constrictor on a class trip, disaster abounds.
Jamaica's Find
Jamaica finds a stuffed dog and considers keeping it. When she returns it, she makes a new friend.
Owen
Owen finds a way to take his favorite blanket with him to kindergarten.
Bread and Jam for Frances
This story discusses one young badger's experiences trying new things. Reach other stories by Russell Hoban.
Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lizardo
When the Lizardo family adopts a dinosaur as the family pet, adventure abounds.
Uncle Jed's Barbershop
Uncle Jed is a compassionate and helpful member of his community. When he finally realizes his dream, the community rejoices.
The Carrot Seed
A little boy trusts that a carrot will grow from the seed he plants, even when no one else does.
The Story of Ferdinand
Ferdinand the bull would rather sit and smell the flowers than fight in Spain's most celebrated bullfight.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
This is the classic tale of Mike Mulligan's construction work.
Daisy Rothschild: The Giraffe that Lives with Me
This is the story of one family's adventures with their pet giraffe.
Nice Little Girls
Jackie teaches her new schoolmates that girls and boys can (and should) enjoy all kinds of games.
Frederick
Frederick is an allegorical character who represents the artists and dreamers of the world. Try other books by this creative and well-known author.
Frog and Toad are Friends
Five short stories about best buddies Frog and Toad.
The Little Painter of Sabana Grande
Because he cannot afford paper, a poor Panamanian boy displays his work on the sides of houses in his town.
Blueberries for Sal
While picking blueberries, Sal and her mother encoutner a bear.
Make Way for Ducklings
A quaint tale of a duck family's adventures.
Henry Bear's Park
Henry Bear's father leaves him in charge of the park. At first, Henry feels proud and happy, but soon he begins to miss his dad.
Broderick
Broderick, a mouse, discovers how wonderful books can be.
The Smallest Cow in the World
When Marvin's family moves to a new town, he invents an imaginary pet cow, who helps him adjust.
Home Lovely
This charming story is a celebration of hardworking single-parent families.
The Little Engine that Could
One very determined train's hard work proves successful.
Where the Wild Things Are
This fantastic tale of one boy's visit to the Land of the Wild Things features wonderful pictures. Look for other books illustrated by Maurice Sendak.
It Looked Like Spilt Milk
A white shape in a blue sky. What is it? Keep guessing until the surprise ending.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Sylvester discovers a magic pebble and has an adventure in this creatively told and well-illustrated classic
Dr. DeSoto
A mouse dentist, Dr. DeSoto, risks his life by operating on a fox patient.
The Polar Express
A young boy travels to the North Pole and returns with gifts that will last him a lifetime.
Alexander and the Terrbile, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander is having "one of those days."
Ira Sleeps Over
When Ira is invited to sleep over at a friend's house, he wants to bring his teddy bear along, but fears that he won't look very "grown up" if he does.
What a Wonderful World
A celebration of the Earth.
A Chair for My Mother
After a fire destroys most of their possessions, a mother and daughter get back on their feet, thanks to a supportive community.
The Napping House
Clever rhymes and beautiful illustrations make this an excellent selection for young listeners.
William's Doll
When William wants a doll and get one, he confronts and conquers gender stereotypes.
Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll
Part of the "Let's Read and Find Out Science Books" series, this picture book discusses thunderstorms.
In a Small, Small Pond
A classic.
The Pebble in My Pocket
This tale depicts the history of Earth in a creative and accessible fashion.
Ollie Forgot
This clever tale depicts one boy's trouble remembering which errands to run for his mother.
The Tale of Meshka the Kvetch
Meshka complains about everything until one day, every negative thing that she says actually happens. Meshka learns her lesson in this humorous folk tale.
Tikki Tikki Tembo
In this humorous Chinese fold tale, the word rhythms are fun for young children to listen to and mimic.
Wagon Wheels
Based on historical events, this is the story of three African Americans' journey to their father's homeland on the Western plains.
Arthur, for the Very First Time
Frustrated with his parents, Arthur visits his aunt and uncle. Be sure to read all of the books in the Arthur adventure series.
George and Martha
This is the first in a series of short chapter books that chronicle the day-to-day adventures of lovable hippos.
Little Bear
Each story in this collection depicts a moment in Little Bear's daily life. Try other books in the series.
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You
This collection is especially suitable for reading aloud. Young readers can comprehend all the poems and can comfortably read about half of them.
Now We are Six
Milne recollects the cares and pleasures of childhood with care and understanding.
The Indian in the Cupboard
A nine-year-old English boy learns about responsibility and another culture when he accidentally brings his plastic Native American doll to life.
Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing
A humorous classic, as is its sequel, Superfudge.
The Wish Giver
Local townspeople discover
Alice in Wonderland
Enjoy the fantastical silliness in this clever, creative tale
The Cat Who Went to Heaven
This is the story of a very special relationship between a Japanese village artist and a cat.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Charlie has more interesting adventures with Willie Wonka. This time, they travel to outer space.
James and the Giant Peach
This is the wonderfully fanciful tale of an orphaned boy's adventures in a magically enormous peach.
Rain on Fire
Matthew's experiences in Japan during WWII have left him scarred. His kid brother learns that war is not as glorious as he thought.
The Great Brain
This book chronicles a young Irish Catholic boy's experiences growing up in turn-of-the-century Utah.
The Whipping Boy
When a spoiled prince and a palace servant switch places, each learns a great deal about both the other's role and himself.
Bella Arabella
Ten-year-old Arabella wishes for a substitute family and finds one among the servants and pets in her family's mansion.
The Reluctant Dragon
A young knight and a dragon become friends.
The Phantom Toll Booth
Milo's journeys into fantastical Dictionopolis and Digitopolis are hilarious.
Mrs. Fish, Ape and Me: The Dump Queen
"The Dump Queen," so called because of her family's employment at the town dump, is teased unmercifully. She finds friendship in unlikely but worthwhile people.
The Girl with the Silver Eves
This story has a moral twist: by coming to terms with her super powers, nine-year-old Katie learns to accept and love herself.
Weird Henry Berg
Henry inherits his family heirloom, a dragon egg. When it hatches, adventures abound.
Hang Tough, Paul Mather
A young boy who has leukemia struggles against both his baseball opponents and his illness.
Chocolate Fever
A chocolate "addict" learns the dangers of excess when he comes down with the world's first case of chocolate fever.
Maniac McGee
Maniac McGee is an orphan. He teaches both the black and white populations of his town to accept and even like each other.
Charlotte's Web
This is the classic tale of the rare and beautiful friendship that develops between Charlotte, a spider, and Wilbur, a pig.
Ribbons
When Robin's Chinese grandmother arrives from Hong Kong, she throws the family into an uproar.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
This fun, fanciful folk tale that features amusing animal characters.
The Magic Fan
This creatively illustrated story depicts the adventures that one Asian village carpenter has when discovers a magic fan.
The Honest Thief
Clever and honest Michael outwits the king and wins both the kingdom and the princess' hand in marriage.
Dragons, Dragons & Other Creatures That Never Were
Carle has excerpted famous depictions of fantastic creatures and illustrated them gloriously.
Abucla
This short story uses some Spanish vocabulary and is particularly enjoyable for Spanish-speaking listeners.
The Ordinary Princess
Amy is liberated from traditional princessly fateby a fairy godmother who bestows the "gift of ordinariness" upon her.
The Paper Bag Princess
This is a fractured fairy tale by a creative, humorous storyteller.
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
A Zimbabwean king will wed one of two sisters. The kindly sister wins his heart.
Life Doesn't Frighten Me At All
Fantastically colorful, creative and modern illustrations illuminate this beautiful, life-affirming poem.
Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child's Book of Poems
Each of the nine sections of this book is illustrated by a different award-winning illustrator.
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
This excellent assortment of poetry is organized by topic and wonderfully illustrated.
If I Were In Charge of the World and Other Stories
These poems describe some of school children's biggest worries with sympathy and humor. Both adults and children will enjoy this collection of poems.
Desert Voices
Each page of this well-illustrated text depicts a different desert animal and invites the reader to imagine what it is like to be that animal. This is a particularly interactive read- aloud selection.
If You Are a Hunter of Fossils
This is a creative, well-illustrated exploration of what it's like to be an anthropologist.
Koko's Kitten
In this photo essay, Dr. Patterson teaches Koko the gorilla how to speak using sign language.
My Painted House
Beautiful pictures enrich this depiction of an African tribe's tradition of painting in their dwellings.
Toliver's Secret
During the Revolutionary War, ten-year-old Ellen Toliver helped her ailing grandfather by carrying a secret message through enemy lines.
What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
This story describes Ben Franklin's work as an inventor.
The Stories Julian Tells
The short stories in this collection depict the day-to-day adventures of an African-American boy.
The Tales of Uncle Remus
Julius has translated these 19th-century folktales so that they are accessible to modern audiences.
The Witch of Fourth Street
This is a collection of stories about life in the Lower East Side of New York City in the 1930s.
Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories
This collection of old-world folktales is beautifully illustrated.
Listen Children
This is a collection of varied forms of literature, all featuring African-American heroes.
Free to Be You and Me
A classic treasury of stories, songs and poems that explore various aspects of growing up in a creatively, friendly way.
Mr. Popper's Penguins
When Mr. Popper decides to keep a flock of penguins in his cellar, humorous adventures abound.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
Doctor Dolittle can talk to animals. What he learns from them is fascinating!
Wolf Story
Two stories -- the battle of wills between an imaginative young listener and his storytelling father and the fantasy story his father tells.
The Skirt
How will this young Latino girl explain to her parents that she has lost her special skirt?
Amos and Boris
This is the amusing story of two unlikely animal friends
Nettie's Trip South
The story of a ten-year-old girl's impressions of slavery in the pre-Civil War South.
The Velveteen Rabbit
A little boy's love has turned his stuffed bunny into a real rabbit.
Just One Me
Jimmy imagines what it would be like to be a variety of things but concludes that he likes being himself best of all.
Abuela's Weave
Abuela is so self-conscious about her ugly birthmark that she asks Esperanza to sell her beautiful weavings at the market.
My Grandmother's Journey
Grandmother bravely endured innumerable hardships before she came to America, including the Russian Revolution and WWII.
Cranberry Thanksgiving
Molly wants to share Thanksgiving dinner with a rather unsightly stranger, despite her relatives' misgivings. The stranger is a welcome and honest addition to the Thanksgiving Day festivities.
Grandma's Latkes
Cooking with Grandma is always fun. When she cooks latkes, she tells her granddaughter a story about how and why they were made in ancient times.
Leo the Late Bloomer
Leo Lion doesn't seem able to do anything that his older siblings do, until one day when he "blooms" into a successful and happy young lion-hood.
Wump World
The decay of natural resources is a serious problem for the grass-eating wumps, whose home environment is being destroyed.
Chicken Sunday
The themes explored here can be a great springboard for conversations.
The Giving Tree
This is a classic story about a tree that gives a young boy everything it can.
Brave Irene
This story is about a courageous, hard-working girl named Irene.
Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story
An orphan from an East Coast city travels to meet his new family in Texas.
Crow Boy
Chibi grows more confident and is finally able to shine at school in his Japanese village.