Recommended Book List
Here are some series the kids love to hear as read alouds, as well as some favorite titles to add to your home collection.
Fancy
Nancy
by Jane O'Connor
What fun it is to use fancy words when we write, read, or just in everyday life. We LOVE the Fancy Nancy books!
Visit the Harper Collins site for more Fancy Nancy fun!
Harper Collins and Fancy Nancy
Where in the Wild?
by David M. Schwartz
This is a wonderful book about "camouflaged creatures concealed and revealed". David Schwartz is the author of If You Made A Million and How Much is a Million as well as many others. Visit his website to find out more!
David Schwartz
Amber Brown
by Paula Danziger
Meet Paula Danziger and find out about this fun author of the Amber Brown book series!
Paula Danziger
Junie B. Jones
by Barbara Park
Any of the books in the Junie B. Jones series are good beginning chapter books for children who are already readers. The children really enjoy the antics of this hillarious Kindergartner and First Grader! I have listed a few titles below.
Junie B. Jones
All Jan Brett books
by Jan Brett , Illustrated by Jan Brett
Jan Brett is my favorite children's author! There are numerous stories about animals and many old favorites that are retold. Jan Brett also has fabulous Christmas stories. Some titles are pictured below.
Jan Brett's Homepage
Magic Tree House Series
by Mary Pope Osborne
In this series of books Jack and Annie visit different times of the past on fun adventures in search of clues. An easier chapter book series. Look below for some specific titles.
Magic Tree House
Bugs in Boxes Books
by David A. Carter
These pop-up books are so much fun and teach concepts such as colors and numbers as well as seasonal counting and rhyming fun. The children love them at school. Use the link below to visit the site of the author. There are also two cd rom titles by the same name!
Pop Up Books by Carter
Kizzy's Castle, Kizzy's Lunch, Kizzy's Park, Celestial Dreams Remembered, Thank You, Mom..., 7 Miles From the Moon
by Jill Militzer , Illustrated by Jill Militzer
Mrs. Militzer, one of our own Cooper moms, has written and illustrated six books for children! Here are links to the sites about the author and the books.
Kizzy the Dog
Jill Zaremba-Militzer's Storefront
Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
Where should Mr. and Mrs. Mallard raise their ducklings? Classic favorite!
Honey…Honey…Lion!
by Jan Brett
Badger learns a surprising lesson about the importance of sharing! From the creator of The Mitten!
Chicka Chicka 1 2 3
by Bill Martin, Jr. and Michael Sampson
Chicka, Chicka 1, 2, 3…
Will there be a hero of the number tree?
100 numbers are racing to the top of the apple tree. Easy-to-read rhymes! From the creators of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
Planting A Rainbow
by Lois Ehlert
This educational and enjoyable book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth.
A Bad Case of Stripes
by David Shannon
In a wonderfully illustrated book, a little girl is so concerned with everyone's opinion of her that she stops being herself and spontaneously becomes whatever anyone calls her, whether purple polka-dotted or as striped as the flag. "A good poke in the eye of conformity."— Kirkus
Waiting for Wings
by Lois Ehlert
Wings unfold and new butterflies are born! Follow the life cycle of a butterfly. From the Caldecott Illustrator of Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom! Caldecott Artist.
Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House® #31)
by Mary Pope Osborne , Illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Can Jack and Annie finish their mission before the scary sea serpent finds them?
The Mitten
by Jan Brett
A young boy doesn't notice that he's dropped one of his mittens in the snowy woods. But one by one, animals discover the mitten and crawl inside. Each one is larger than the last: a mole, a rabbit-even a big brown bear!
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
by Laura Numeroff
The hero of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is back! One thing always leads to another when this little mouse goes to school. This book and other circle story books by the same author are favorites in our classroom! Look below for more titles!
Stranger in the Woods
by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
This delightful book about the animals´ reactions to a snowman who suddenly appears in their woods after a winter storm will raise the holiday spirit in young and old alike! With vivid, charming animal photos.
On Noah's Ark
by Jan Brett
How did all those animals manage to crowd into Noah’s ark? Favorite author Jan Brett treats young readers to a lavishly illustrated parade of animals in this tale about Noah’s granddaughter, who must find a way to make the creatures behave during their forty-day, forty-night journey.
Skeleton Hiccups
by Margery Cuyler , Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
"Hic, hic, hic" is the refrain that travels across the pages of this delightful story about a skeleton who struggles to get rid of his annoying hiccups.
Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder
by Barbara Park , Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Junie B. is concerned about losing her first tooth. And who is the Tooth Fairy, anyway?
Panda Bear, Panda Bear What Do You See
by Bill Martin Jr. , Illustrated by Eric Carle
Since it's publication more than 35 years ago, Brown Bear, Brown Bear has delighted generations of readers with colorful illustrations and rhythmic, predictable text. Now the creators of the perennial classic have teamed up once again in a glorious tribute to ten endangered species.
Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl
by Barbara Park , Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Favorite character Junie B. Jones is in trouble again! It’s almost time to graduate from kindergarten, but she’s spilled grape juice on her beautiful white gown. Children will love finding out what happens next in this laugh-out-loud reader.
One Tiny Turtle
by Nicola Davies , Illustrated by Jane Chapman
This beautifully illustrated book about a loggerhead sea turtle describes her amazing journey—traveling thousands of miles under the sea before returning to the beach where she was born to lay her own eggs.
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
by Laura Numeroff , Illustrated by Felicia Bond
In this sequel to the ever-popular series, the lively and demanding little mouse is getting into the Christmas spirit! One thing leads to another until he’s making a snowman, singing carols, and decorating the tree.
Junie B., First Grader (at last!)
by Barbara Park , Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
In this latest addition to the popular chapter book series, the loudest, funniest kindergartner ever is moving on up. It is not, however, an easy transition for Junie B. – she's having trouble with her friends, her reading, and, it turns out, her eyes. Through it all, she records her grumblings, her concerns, and her triumphs in an engaging journal.
Jamaica Tag-Along
by Juanita Havill , Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Excluded from their play by her brother and his friends, Jamaica turns around and tells a littler child he can’t help her build a sand castle; then she remembers how she felt and changes her mind.
If You Take a Mouse to School
by Laura Numeroff , Illustrated by Felicia Bond
This addition to the series is the funniest yet! Like the other books, each request leads to another, building to a hilarious ending!
A Color of His Own
by Leo Lionni , Illustrated by James Marshall
All creatures have a color of their own . . . except for chameleons, and this sad chameleon wants a color of his own.
Anansi the Spider
by Gerald McDermott
Here is the Caldecott Honor story of Anansi, the spider-hero of the Ashanti people of Ghana, who falls into a river, is swallowed by a fish, and is carried away by a falcon. Can he be saved by the combined talents of his six sons?
Harold's ABC
by Crockett Johnson
Parents what a great book to use as a spring board to writing and reviewing the letters.
Harold creates an imaginative adventure using the alphabet and his purple crayon.
Ten Black Dots
by Donald Crews
One dot can make a sun or a moon when day is done. Two dots can make the eyes of a fox or the eyes of keys that open locks. Children count all the way to ten with simple rhymes and brightly colored objects.
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
In simple words and beautiful pictures, this book conveys the silent wonder of a city snowfall and a small boy’s solitary delight in it.
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
This is a wonderful book to teach recall. Ask your child to retell what happened in the story. We love all the Eric Carle books, of course!
The Official Eric Carle Website
A Chair for My Mother
by Vera B. Williams
A moving story of a family’s dream to save enough money to buy a beautiful easy chair after a fire destroys all their furniture.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst , Illustrated by Ray Cruz
This is a great book to read when your child is having a grumpy moment. It can really bring a smile!
Corduroy
by Don Freeman
The heart-warming adventures of a toy-store teddy bear who finally finds a little girl to love him.
Frog and Toad are Friends
by Arnold Lobel
Five delightful stories about true friendship. In second grade we read all the Frog and Toad books including Frog and Toad Together and Frog and Toad All Year. Did you know they started with "Wind in the Willows"?
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka , Illustrated by Lane Smith
This irresistible "revisionist" retelling of the traditional tale has become a classroom hit!
Owl Moon
by Jane Yolen
A poetic narrative hauntingly evokes the darkness and silence of the night, as a young girl and her father venture forth into the woods in search of the Great Horned Owl.
Frosty's New Friends
by Steve Nelson , Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
Frosty is back—and he's ready for some snowy winter fun!
Snowmen at Christmas
by Caralyn Buehner , Illustrated by Mark Buehner
Find out how snowmen celebrate the holidays in this funny read-aloud! From the creators of Snowmen at Night!
Seven Days of Kwanzaa
by Ella Grier , Illustrated by John Ward
Kwanzaa is a celebration of culture, family, and blessings. Learn what makes each day so special.
So You Want to Be President?
by Judith St. George , Illustrated by David Small
Who was the shortest president? Which one liked to dance? Real history that will make you laugh! Funny pictures and facts!
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!
by Karen Beaumont , Illustrated by David Catrow
Splash! Dab! Glop! This creative kid is painting everything! From the illustrator of Take Me Out of the Bathtub!
by Jane O'Connor
What fun it is to use fancy words when we write, read, or just in everyday life. We LOVE the Fancy Nancy books!
Visit the Harper Collins site for more Fancy Nancy fun!
Harper Collins and Fancy Nancy
Where in the Wild?
by David M. Schwartz
This is a wonderful book about "camouflaged creatures concealed and revealed". David Schwartz is the author of If You Made A Million and How Much is a Million as well as many others. Visit his website to find out more!
David Schwartz
Amber Brown
by Paula Danziger
Meet Paula Danziger and find out about this fun author of the Amber Brown book series!
Paula Danziger
Junie B. Jones
by Barbara Park
Any of the books in the Junie B. Jones series are good beginning chapter books for children who are already readers. The children really enjoy the antics of this hillarious Kindergartner and First Grader! I have listed a few titles below.
Junie B. Jones
All Jan Brett books
by Jan Brett , Illustrated by Jan Brett
Jan Brett is my favorite children's author! There are numerous stories about animals and many old favorites that are retold. Jan Brett also has fabulous Christmas stories. Some titles are pictured below.
Jan Brett's Homepage
Magic Tree House Series
by Mary Pope Osborne
In this series of books Jack and Annie visit different times of the past on fun adventures in search of clues. An easier chapter book series. Look below for some specific titles.
Magic Tree House
Bugs in Boxes Books
by David A. Carter
These pop-up books are so much fun and teach concepts such as colors and numbers as well as seasonal counting and rhyming fun. The children love them at school. Use the link below to visit the site of the author. There are also two cd rom titles by the same name!
Pop Up Books by Carter
Kizzy's Castle, Kizzy's Lunch, Kizzy's Park, Celestial Dreams Remembered, Thank You, Mom..., 7 Miles From the Moon
by Jill Militzer , Illustrated by Jill Militzer
Mrs. Militzer, one of our own Cooper moms, has written and illustrated six books for children! Here are links to the sites about the author and the books.
Kizzy the Dog
Jill Zaremba-Militzer's Storefront
Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
Where should Mr. and Mrs. Mallard raise their ducklings? Classic favorite!
Honey…Honey…Lion!
by Jan Brett
Badger learns a surprising lesson about the importance of sharing! From the creator of The Mitten!
Chicka Chicka 1 2 3
by Bill Martin, Jr. and Michael Sampson
Chicka, Chicka 1, 2, 3…
Will there be a hero of the number tree?
100 numbers are racing to the top of the apple tree. Easy-to-read rhymes! From the creators of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
Planting A Rainbow
by Lois Ehlert
This educational and enjoyable book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth.
A Bad Case of Stripes
by David Shannon
In a wonderfully illustrated book, a little girl is so concerned with everyone's opinion of her that she stops being herself and spontaneously becomes whatever anyone calls her, whether purple polka-dotted or as striped as the flag. "A good poke in the eye of conformity."— Kirkus
Waiting for Wings
by Lois Ehlert
Wings unfold and new butterflies are born! Follow the life cycle of a butterfly. From the Caldecott Illustrator of Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom! Caldecott Artist.
Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House® #31)
by Mary Pope Osborne , Illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Can Jack and Annie finish their mission before the scary sea serpent finds them?
The Mitten
by Jan Brett
A young boy doesn't notice that he's dropped one of his mittens in the snowy woods. But one by one, animals discover the mitten and crawl inside. Each one is larger than the last: a mole, a rabbit-even a big brown bear!
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
by Laura Numeroff
The hero of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is back! One thing always leads to another when this little mouse goes to school. This book and other circle story books by the same author are favorites in our classroom! Look below for more titles!
Stranger in the Woods
by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
This delightful book about the animals´ reactions to a snowman who suddenly appears in their woods after a winter storm will raise the holiday spirit in young and old alike! With vivid, charming animal photos.
On Noah's Ark
by Jan Brett
How did all those animals manage to crowd into Noah’s ark? Favorite author Jan Brett treats young readers to a lavishly illustrated parade of animals in this tale about Noah’s granddaughter, who must find a way to make the creatures behave during their forty-day, forty-night journey.
Skeleton Hiccups
by Margery Cuyler , Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
"Hic, hic, hic" is the refrain that travels across the pages of this delightful story about a skeleton who struggles to get rid of his annoying hiccups.
Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder
by Barbara Park , Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Junie B. is concerned about losing her first tooth. And who is the Tooth Fairy, anyway?
Panda Bear, Panda Bear What Do You See
by Bill Martin Jr. , Illustrated by Eric Carle
Since it's publication more than 35 years ago, Brown Bear, Brown Bear has delighted generations of readers with colorful illustrations and rhythmic, predictable text. Now the creators of the perennial classic have teamed up once again in a glorious tribute to ten endangered species.
Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl
by Barbara Park , Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Favorite character Junie B. Jones is in trouble again! It’s almost time to graduate from kindergarten, but she’s spilled grape juice on her beautiful white gown. Children will love finding out what happens next in this laugh-out-loud reader.
One Tiny Turtle
by Nicola Davies , Illustrated by Jane Chapman
This beautifully illustrated book about a loggerhead sea turtle describes her amazing journey—traveling thousands of miles under the sea before returning to the beach where she was born to lay her own eggs.
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
by Laura Numeroff , Illustrated by Felicia Bond
In this sequel to the ever-popular series, the lively and demanding little mouse is getting into the Christmas spirit! One thing leads to another until he’s making a snowman, singing carols, and decorating the tree.
Junie B., First Grader (at last!)
by Barbara Park , Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
In this latest addition to the popular chapter book series, the loudest, funniest kindergartner ever is moving on up. It is not, however, an easy transition for Junie B. – she's having trouble with her friends, her reading, and, it turns out, her eyes. Through it all, she records her grumblings, her concerns, and her triumphs in an engaging journal.
Jamaica Tag-Along
by Juanita Havill , Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
Excluded from their play by her brother and his friends, Jamaica turns around and tells a littler child he can’t help her build a sand castle; then she remembers how she felt and changes her mind.
If You Take a Mouse to School
by Laura Numeroff , Illustrated by Felicia Bond
This addition to the series is the funniest yet! Like the other books, each request leads to another, building to a hilarious ending!
A Color of His Own
by Leo Lionni , Illustrated by James Marshall
All creatures have a color of their own . . . except for chameleons, and this sad chameleon wants a color of his own.
Anansi the Spider
by Gerald McDermott
Here is the Caldecott Honor story of Anansi, the spider-hero of the Ashanti people of Ghana, who falls into a river, is swallowed by a fish, and is carried away by a falcon. Can he be saved by the combined talents of his six sons?
Harold's ABC
by Crockett Johnson
Parents what a great book to use as a spring board to writing and reviewing the letters.
Harold creates an imaginative adventure using the alphabet and his purple crayon.
Ten Black Dots
by Donald Crews
One dot can make a sun or a moon when day is done. Two dots can make the eyes of a fox or the eyes of keys that open locks. Children count all the way to ten with simple rhymes and brightly colored objects.
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
In simple words and beautiful pictures, this book conveys the silent wonder of a city snowfall and a small boy’s solitary delight in it.
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
This is a wonderful book to teach recall. Ask your child to retell what happened in the story. We love all the Eric Carle books, of course!
The Official Eric Carle Website
A Chair for My Mother
by Vera B. Williams
A moving story of a family’s dream to save enough money to buy a beautiful easy chair after a fire destroys all their furniture.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst , Illustrated by Ray Cruz
This is a great book to read when your child is having a grumpy moment. It can really bring a smile!
Corduroy
by Don Freeman
The heart-warming adventures of a toy-store teddy bear who finally finds a little girl to love him.
Frog and Toad are Friends
by Arnold Lobel
Five delightful stories about true friendship. In second grade we read all the Frog and Toad books including Frog and Toad Together and Frog and Toad All Year. Did you know they started with "Wind in the Willows"?
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka , Illustrated by Lane Smith
This irresistible "revisionist" retelling of the traditional tale has become a classroom hit!
Owl Moon
by Jane Yolen
A poetic narrative hauntingly evokes the darkness and silence of the night, as a young girl and her father venture forth into the woods in search of the Great Horned Owl.
Frosty's New Friends
by Steve Nelson , Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
Frosty is back—and he's ready for some snowy winter fun!
Snowmen at Christmas
by Caralyn Buehner , Illustrated by Mark Buehner
Find out how snowmen celebrate the holidays in this funny read-aloud! From the creators of Snowmen at Night!
Seven Days of Kwanzaa
by Ella Grier , Illustrated by John Ward
Kwanzaa is a celebration of culture, family, and blessings. Learn what makes each day so special.
So You Want to Be President?
by Judith St. George , Illustrated by David Small
Who was the shortest president? Which one liked to dance? Real history that will make you laugh! Funny pictures and facts!
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!
by Karen Beaumont , Illustrated by David Catrow
Splash! Dab! Glop! This creative kid is painting everything! From the illustrator of Take Me Out of the Bathtub!
