What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood*

A excellent, practical book!
*Highly recommend.
Mrs. Chitwood writes with humor and solid truths.  Her main focus is how one's first priority should be developing one's relationship with God.
Discussion questions for each chapter are included in the back so it makes it easy to use for small groups.

Mouse and Mole A Winter Wonderland by Wong Herbert Yee*

This sweet friendship book had my preschooler giggling.
Delightful series perfect for beginning/transitional readers.
Great for building stamina-four short chapters.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: predicting

The Imagination Station Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering/Paul McCusker illustrated by David Hohn* #4

Cousins, Patrick and Beth, travel to medieval times to find missing treasure.  If they do not, Mr. Whittaker's relative Albert will be in trouble.
Exciting jousting!
Great for the transitional/middle grade reader.
*Highly recommend.

A River of Words The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Caldecott Honor Book
Unique collages by Ms. Sweet.
Shares the life of Dr. Williams from boyhood until later adult life.  He was a pediatrician and obstetrician and wrote poetry in his spare time.
Pair with Love That Dog by Sharon Creech.
End pages have copies/excerpts of his poems.  At the end has a time of his life along with world events.

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin illustrated by Harry Bliss

Through diary writing, a worm shares the life of a worm.  Humor is bursting off of each page yet the reader learns true facts about worms.
Very funny and fun!

Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

A young boy longs for a dog but his parents inform that these are "tight times" and they cannot afford a dog.
The story depicts a family enduring difficult economic times . . .a father losing his job . . .the emotional turmoil financial situations can inflict.
A simple book with deep emotion.

Points to discuss: The father fixes himself a special drink (alcohol) after he loses his job.
Strategies: inferring, connections, characters' feelings

Feathers Not Just for Flying by Melissa Stewart illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen*

Melissa Stewart is a wonderful nonfiction writer.
This book utilizes similes as Ms. Stewart reveals the many ways the feather help the bird live and thrive.  Ms. Brannen includes the object Ms. Stewart is comparing the feather to in her illustrations.
On the last page she compares the different types of feathers found on a bird.  In the author's note sections she shares the time consuming process of a writing a book.
Her website includes videos of her writing process and other activities that expand on her book topics.
*Highly recommend.
Text features: comparisons, picture captions, headings
http://www.melissa-stewart.com/

-I own this book.

Toads and Diamonds retold and illustrated by Robert Bender

Beautiful and kind Merth lives with her mean mother and sister.  One day she goes to well at her mother's command.  On the way there she trips over a log. ..only it is a three headed troll.  Her kindness extends to them and she is greatly rewarded.  Her mother and sister are given their due too according to their choices.
Based on a classic fairy tale-Charles Perrault-1697.
Very entertaining and good word choice.

Handle With Care An Unusual Butterfly Journey by Loree Griffin Burns photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz*

This book shares how butterflies are raised on a farm in Costa Rica at El Bosque Nuevo and then shipped to  the Museum of Science in Boston.
Amazing photographs!  The photographs alone are worth reading/purchasing the book.  I especially love the end page photographs.
Great for caterpillar/butterfly units.
*Highly recommend.
Text features: map, photographs, diagrams, picture captions, insect/life cycle page, insect words, glossary, further reading, index

Wolfsnail by Sarah C. Campbell photographs by Sarah C. Campbell and Richard P. Campbell*

Won Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor
Fascinating photographs and facts about a snail!
*Highly recommend.
Great for transitional readers.

City Cat by Kate Banks illustrated by Lauren Castillo*

The cat in this book travels with a family as they tour Europe (Italy, France, Spain, UK, Netherlands and Germany).  Various famous structures and sights are focal points in each country.
Love the map (and the sketches of each country's flag in the map's key) that depicts the cat's journey.  At the back is more information about each city's famous structure.  Different languages word for cat are shared.
*Highly recommend.

Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood illustrated by Claudia Rueda*

So funny!  We enjoyed reading this book several times!
The cat is jealous of the Easter Bunny and decides to try to over his job.
The cat is overflowing with personality which Ms. Rueda displays very well in her illustrations.  This book prompts reader interaction.
Fun for story time!
*Highly recommend.

Commander Toad in Space by Jane Yolen illustrated by Bruce Degen

A fun series for transitional readers to build stamina.
Commander Toad and his crew go on a mission to alien stars but disturb the monster, Deep Wader.
Some play on words with Star Wars in the book.
My seven year old read this book in one sitting.

Stinky a toon book by Eleanor Davis*

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
When a boy enters Stinky's swamp, he comes up with creative ways to chase him out of his territory.
My seven year old enjoyed reading this book a lot!
*Highly recommend for reluctant readers, boys and for building stamina.

Leah's Pony by Elizabeth Friedrich illustrated by Michael Garland*

This story takes place during the Great Depression and in the Dust Bowl.
Leah courageously helps save the family farm.
Wonderful story-great word choice.
Strategy:  perfect for inferring
*Highly recommend.

Riddle-Lightful by J. Patrick Lewis illustrated by Debbie Tilley*

"Oodles of Little Riddle-Poems"
Fun riddle poems.
Strategy: inferring
*highly recommend.

The One-Eyed People Eater The Story of Cyclops by Joan Holub illustrated by Dani Jones*

Ready to Read Level 3
Perfect for the transitional reader to build stamina!
Ms. Holub retells the ancient story of Odysseus and his clever plan to escape from Cyclops.
The chapters are short and the illustrations are comic-like-very appealing!
*Highly recommend.
Another in this series-Pandora's Box

Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel*

Different stories that take place in the distinct seasons.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: determining importance-retelling/story elements; inferring-character's feelings

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel*

Classic friendship tales!
Highly recommend.
Perfect for transitional/beginning reader.
Strategies: inferring character's feelings, determining importance-retelling/story elements

Half A Chance by Cynthia Lord

Lucy and her parents have moved to New Hampshire where their house is situated on a lake.  She befriends her next door neighbor, Nate.  Together they capture photographs to compete in a contest that will be judged by her world famous photographer father.
This book addresses a child trying to impress her father and the unsettling reality of dementia.
Points to discuss: some lying
Strategies: inferring-figurative language, character's feelings, character development

The Boxcar Children Special #3 The Mystery at Snowflake Inn created by Gertrude Chandler Warner illustrated by Charles Tang

The Boxcar Children and their grandfather spend the holidays at an inn in Vermont.  Strange things are happening to compromise the inn's level of hospitality.  The Boxcar Children puzzle over the events until they realize who the culprit is.
*Highly recommend series.

Robots by Melissa Stewart

National Geographic Kids-Level 3 (fluent reader)
Ms. Stewart is a superb nonfiction writer.
This newly published book shares how roboticists design and program robots, the different types of robots and how they contribute to our world.
Text features: table of contents, picture captions, photographs, jokes!, vocab. pronunciation, vocab. definitions on the page the word is first used, time line, diagrams, weird but true facts, headings, glossary, and index

The Dragons of Blueland by Ruth Stiles Gannett illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett*

The third story in the "My Father's Dragon" series.
In this story, Elmer helps the dragon (whose name is Boris) rescue his family.  A group of men have managed to traverse the Awful  Desert and have trapped Boris' family in the tunnels of Blueland.
An exciting story that will appeal to preschoolers who are ready for chapter books and for transitional readers who are ready to read chapter books.
*Highly recommend.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt! retold by Michael Rosen illustrated by Helen Oxenbury*

Ms. Oxenbury's illustrations have a distinct, appealing style.
Her illustrations take the familiar chant/tale to new level.
This version is bigger in size so it is a great choice to share at a story time.
*Highly recommend.

Angus Lost by Marjorie Flack*

I love these series from the 1930's!
Angus is a Scottie dog and is very curious!
In this story he escapes and explores the wide road and becomes lost when the snow begins to fall.
*Highly recommend.

Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke *

This series is so funny!  Minerva Louise experiences Easter for the first time.  As she shares her point of view of the holiday, readers will be laughing and correcting her mistakes.
*Highly recommend (and other books in series).
Strategy: inferring

Henry and Mudge and Annie's Good Move by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Sucie Stevenson*

Life is so sweet for Henry when his cousin Annie moves next door to him!!
Annie,  however, is nervous about the change breaks out in hives.  Henry comes up with a solution to help her.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: connections

Chicken Said "Cluck!" by Judyann Ackerman Grant illustrated by Sue Truesdell

Won Honor Theodore Seuss Geisel Award.
Very simple text for beginning readers.  Pictures support text.
Chicken is shooed away from pumpkin patch until she proves her worth when the grasshoppers nibble the pumpkins.

Poem Depot Aisles of Smiles Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian*

A wonderful collection of humorous poems.  Clever!
Favorite ones: Zero, Nothing Lasts Forever, Advice, Peter Picked, My Mother Has Two Voices, Windshield Wipers, The Computers are Down, Tree Wear
Strategies: connections, inferring

Annie and Snowball and the Cozy Nest by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Sucie Stevenson *

Ready to Read Level 2
Annie and Snowball enjoy watching a nest begin built and then the eggs hatching into robins.  Of course, her cousin Henry and his dog Mudge join in the fun.
*Highly recommend.
Guided reading level: J

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald*

Theodora is trying to survive in NYC after her grandfather died.  Her mother who is obsessed with proving theorems and drinking tea is not a help.  Then when Theo discovers a painting that could be priceless and. . ..stolen, her life changes forever and eventually for the better.
*Highly recommend.
Great plot-exciting, well-developed likable characters and fascinating history-art and WWII/Nazis.
Strategy: inferring-character development, character traits, synthesis
Warning: One Raphael painting which displays a scantily clad woman is described.

Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Sucie Stevenson*

How I love this series!
Henry, his father and Mudge head to the sea/beach for the day.  Most children who have been to the beach will be able to connect to the mini adventures.
Strategies: connections, predicting
*Highly recommend.

Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? by Rita Gray illustrated by Kenard Pak

In rhyme the author shares the songs of other birds but the nesting robin remains quiet.
I really liked the section in the back called "A Word with the Bird" where questions are asked and the bird answers the question.
An unique bird book!  Great for bird units.

Hello, Bumblebee Bat by Darrin Lunde illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne*

What a perfect science book for beginning/transitional readers!
The top of each page poses a question.  The bat then answers the question.
In the back are additional facts about bats.
Perfect for a K-2nd grade bat unit.

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger*

Award winner- Caldecott Honor and Theodor Seuss Geisel Book
A simple and clever book on how a life cycle starts and/or a process begins.
(egg-chicken, tadpole-frog, seed-flower etc.)
Readers will love the cutout shapes  that appear on each page.
*Highly recommend.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt illustrated by Oliver Jeffers*

This book is a must for every classroom and library!!
Duncan's crayons each write him a letter to complain how he utilizes them.
Most of the story is told in letter format.
Ideas how to use the book:
Fluency/expression-reader's theater-assign a child to a different color crayon and they read the letter.  Each color has a distinct personality so the reader must infer how it should be read.
Pick a color and write from a crayon's point of view in letter format.

Strategies/skills: inferring, fluency/expression, point of view, fact/opinion
*Highly recommend.

More of Monkey and Robot by Peter Catalanotto

Four chapters of funny escapades with Robot and Monkey.
Perfect for the transitional reader.

The Beast in Ms. Rooney's Room by Patricia Reilly Giff illustrated by Blanche Sims

Richard Best (AKA "The Beast") is repeating second grade.  As he struggles to adjust, his reading teacher Mrs. Paris gives him some encouragement along with his new friends.
#1 in the Polk Street School series

The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul illustrated by Chuck Groenink

Reilly is upset about being chosen last for sports games.  So his grandfather tells him a story of a Davey, a little donkey, who was never chosen to help work for his master.
Then he has the opportunity to carry Jesus into Jerusalem.
Other "famous"  Biblical donkeys' stories are featured in this book too.
Lessons on pride and doing one's best are the focuses.
In the back are questions/answers to help parents/teachers share more about a relationship with Christ and the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem.

Little Colt's Palm Sunday by Michelle Medlock Adams illustrated by Wayne Parmenter

Sweet illustrations.
The rhyming story shares how Little Colt is chosen to carry Jesus into Jerusalem.

The Dog Who Wouldn't Be by Farley Mowat*

I finished Owls in the Family  and wanted more of Mr. Mowat's childhood adventures!  This book is written for adults/junior high/high school students.  It was as funny as Owls in the Family but focused mostly on Mutt.  It also covers a longer time span in Mr. Mowat's life.
Wonderful word choice brings humor, cleverness and vivid mental pictures.  Superb writer.
*Highly recommend.
If children are reading this or you are reading it aloud to them, there is swearing and a brief mention of a "virgin" animal.

Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is? by Robert E. Wells

Starting with an explanation of how big the blue whale is, the book progresses to share how many jars of blue whales it would take to fill Mt Everest.  It continues taking the previous object and comparing it to another bigger object.  The reader ends up viewing the universe.
Reading the book made me feel very small!!
The illustrations reveal how small the previous object is compared to the current object.

The Boxcar Children #69-The Movie Star Mystery created by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Usually I do not like the Boxcar Children books written after #19 because they are not written by Ms. Warner.  This one, however, was well written, kept the tradition of Ms. Warner's characters and had a well-developed plot.
The Boxcar children become friends with a young man who recently moved into a local abandoned mansion.  They soon discover that he is a movie star with a very protective body guard.  Strange events have happening when he is filming a movie.  A pesky report is determined to find a big story from these events.
My boys had a great time trying to determine who the culprit was!
*Highly recommend the series.
Strategy:  predicting

Firefly July selected by Paul B. Janeczko illustrated by Melissa Sweet*

"A Year of Very Short Poems"
A perfect anthology to celebrate the different seasons of the year.  Some poems are very well known (like Fog by Carl Sandburg or The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams) but others are by more recent poets.
The poems are very short!!
*Highly recommend.
Ms. Sweet's illustrations/collages are delightful.

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock illustrated by Carolyn Conahan*

Amazing nonfiction book-full of facts yet has humor sprinkled throughout via speech bubbles and little comments inserted in a fact filled sentence.
Organization is excellent too-Each page has a topic sentence that begins with "Bubbles are for . . .".
In the back are additional facts about each animal that was featured.
Other text features: glossary
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: determining importance: main idea/details

Duck and Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills*

Duck wants to leave the all familiar meadow and explore the wide world before him.  Goose prefers to stay put but reluctantly joins his best friend on the adventure.  They end up at a beach.  Then Goose does not want to leave!
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: connections, inferring-character development, determining importance-main idea/details, author's message, sequencing

The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems*

My four year old and I laughed throughout this latest Pigeon book.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: connections

The Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Walburg illustrated by James Bernardin

Lucy, Thomas' sister, becomes sick with scarlet fever so he must stay with the Sonnemans at their candy store.  During his stay he learns about the true meaning of Easter and having a relationship with God.
The title is a bit misleading . . . I thought the book was going to share the true legend why we dye eggs.  It does explain the connection but it does not explain who first created the tradition.
Great book to read to explain Christ's salvation and how to have a relationship with Him.

Monkey and Robot by Peter Catalanotto

A space monkey and robot meet at work and become best buddies.  Four short chapters share their good times together.
Perfect for the beginning reader who is trying to build stamina.

Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont illustrated by Jane Dyer*

Won Theodor Geisel Honor
Rover is alone in his doghouse gnawing on his bone.  When it begins to storm, many animals join him.  In the background (but not mentioned in the text) is a skunk.
Loved this story!
Rhyming text.  The illustrations support the text and allow reader to make predictions.
Strategies: predictions, text to text connections (we connected it to Jan Brett's The Mitten and then made predictions based on our schema from that story line.)
*Highly recommend.

Zelda and Ivy by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Divided into three chapters, this book relates the interactions of two sisters.  Zelda, the oldest sister, behaves in typical fashion as she bosses and takes advantage of the Ivy's age.  My oldest son and I thought she was sort of mean but  .  .the author does a great job of depicting the typical relationship between two siblings!
Great for children who are beginning to read longer books-stamina. Lots of full page illustrations.
Five titles in the series.
Strategies: connections (t-s), inferring, character traits

The Scraps Book by Lois Ehlert*

"Notes from a Colorful Life"
In beautiful collages taken from her books and new creations, Ms. Ehlert shares how her journey as an artist began and how she continues to create colorful pieces of art from materials and life surrounding her.
Great to share with a budding artist and/or writer.
*Highly recommend.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale

What a creative way to share history with reluctant readers-comics!
Nathan Hale (the historical figure) shares his story and many interesting stories about the beginning stages of the Revolutionary War right before he is to be executed.  Ironically he shares these stories to his hangman and British officer!  Humor is mixed with real facts.
Liked the end pages with the map of North America in 1775.
As the reader reads this book, it would be beneficial if he/she keeps a list of the numerous characters introduced and discussed.
Points to discuss: a couple of swear words and Mr. Hale (author/illustrator) says they are a quote.??
For this reason I am not "highly recommending" the book.
Others in the series: Big Bad Ironclad (Civil War), Donner Dinner Party (Westward expansion), Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood (World War I-coming out May 13, 2014).

How Big? Wacky Ways to Compare Size by Jessica Gunderson illustrated by Keina

The title says it all  . . .Fifteen pennies fit on a tarantula's back.  Each page shares the square centimeter of the two objects.
Good book to use when teaching about area.

Albert by Donna Jo Napoli illustrated by Jim LaMarche

Each morning Albert sticks out his hand to determine if it is a nice enough day for a walk.  An unpleasant noise makes him conclude that the day is not "nice enough" for a walk.  So he spends the day indoors.  His world is turned upside down when a cardinal pair builds a nest on his outstretched hand.  Standing there day after day he learns to deal with life's unpleasantness.
Mr. LaMarche captures Albert's expression well.  Very gifted illustrator!
Like how large the book is.
Strategies: inferring, character development, synthesizing

On the Move: Mass Migrations by Scotti Cohn illustrated by Susan Detwiler

Beginning in spring and progressing to the fall,  the book shares about different animals and how they migrate.
Colorful, amazing illustrations.  In the back are more facts about each featured animal.
Figurative language and great word choice.

In New York by Marc Brown*

A perfect book to share with a child before visiting New York City.  Mr. Brown shares many interesting places to visit plus many statistics (Did  you know that there are more than 13,000 taxis in NYC?).  Even the end pages contain fascinating facts about the city.
I really like how large the book is and how he created a mini directory of places to visit, shop and eat and even how to "get around" (includes phone numbers, addresses and web addresses).
My four year old and I loved the subway cross section and the map of Central Park.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: Connections (any book that takes place in NYC-good for background building-The Fudge books by Judy Blume, The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil . .etc.)

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Velma is the youngest of three sisters.  Teachers at her school remember her sisters for specific accomplishments.  Velma strives to be known for something.  This "something" comes in the form of science and their study of butterflies.
I liked the descriptive language and attention to detail (even the end pages are creative!  Check out Velma's hair position at the front end pages compared to the back end pages).
Skill: word choice

Put it on the List! by Kristen Darbyshire

A family of chickens keeps running out of necessary items but no one listens to mom's advice, "put it on the list!".  Finally when there is no toilet paper or cereal to go with the milk, the family pitches in by adding to the grocery list and helping mom shop.
Funny and simple text.

A to Z Mysteries The Quicksand Question By Ron Roy

Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose try to discover who took the duck bank from the firehouse.  The money in the large plastic bank was to purchase materials to build a bridge over the road so ducks can cross safely.
My two boys had fun trying to figure out who stole and where the jeep (the "get away" vehicle") went.
Very fun read aloud for wide age range.
Great series for the transitional/developing reader-for building stamina.

The Lemonade War Series-The Candy Smash #4 by Jacqueline Davies*

I love this series.
Evan and his genius sister Jessie are in fourth grade together (Jessie skipped a grade). Although Jessie is intelligent in academic areas, she is clueless about people, feelings and relationships.  Her lack of insight leads to major problems when she publishes personal information about LOVE in her 4-O newspaper.  Evan discovers he really likes poetry and has a gift of understanding it and writing it well.
Each chapter begins with a word definition.  The chapter's about Evan include a definition about a type of word (like -onomatopoeia) while chapters about Jessie define words concerning newspaper writing/investigative reporting.  Chapters flip back and forth between different siblings' perspectives.
Jessie's newspaper is included in the back along with the poetry terms used throughout the book and featured poems.
*Highly recommend.
A perfect book when teaching: poetry, figurative language
Point to discuss:
Sometimes the siblings and classmates are not kind to each other.

Stink The Incredible Shrinking Kid #1 by Megan McDonald illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds*

Judy Moody's little brother Stink has a series to himself!  My four and half year old and seven year old really enjoyed this book.  We read it over three days.
Stink is afraid he is shrinking (he is very short already!) and is determined that James Madison, his favorite president (who happens to be the shortest president) is recognized on President's Day.
Lots of fun family interaction where the family honors each child's uniqueness.
A great chapter book for transitional readers to build stamina.
Strategy: connections, visualizing

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Ms. Murdock is a fabulous writer!  She gives the main character, D.J., a strong voice.  Her personality explodes from the page.  I like how the reader views the other characters through D.J.'s perspective because she is the one offering any information.  As a result, the reader matures and develops with D.J.
Ms. Murdock also writes about farm life and rural America very well-hard work, dedication, discipline etc.
Summary of the book?!-D.J.'s father had hip surgery so as a fifteen year old she is basically managing the farm.  Her two older brothers are at college playing football and her younger brother Curtis plays on a baseball team and transports the father to his PT sessions.  Along comes the quarterback from their rival school to work on their farm-Brian.  In the process, D.J. trains him for his upcoming football season and decides herself to go out for the football team . . .but she has to pass English first.
Both Brian and D.J. bring positive and negative attributes to the summer relationship and learn from each other.
Two more books in trilogy: The Off Season and Front and Center
Warnings/Points to discuss:
homosexuality (D.J. finds out her best friend Amber is a lesbian and must deal that reality.)
swearing

North The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration by Nick Dowson illustrated by Patrick Benson

Beautiful illustrations.  Love format and layout-text is contained in boxes off to the side so the illustration dominates the page or some pages the text is sparse-just a few words or no words at all!
The text captures what life is like at the Arctic the changing seasons there.
I would recommend having a world map close by so as you read, you can follow the animal's migration journey.
Figurative language and great word choice reinforce that nonfiction can contain descriptive, beautiful language too!
***I noticed penguins in the illustrations on pgs. 39, 42-43 which as far as I know is inaccurate.  This is the only reason why I am not highly recommending it.***
Text features: one page about the Arctic; glossary, index

The Children's Illustrated Bible retold by Selina Hastings illustrated by Eric Thomas*

I read reviews on this Bible that the print/font was too small.
My son and I have read through this Bible two times now and have not found the font to be a problem.  The beautiful illustrations and photographs make the stories come alive.  There are also historical sections explaining how life was during that specific Bible time period.
Text features: contents, photographs, maps, picture captions, index, "who's who in the Bible section
*Highly recommend.

Mrs. Toggle's Zipper by Robin Pulver illustrated by R.W.Alley*

On a winter day at school, Mrs. Toggle does not greet her students as cheerfully.  Why?  Her puffy winter coat's zipper is stuck.  Humorous attempts to rescue her from her agony ensue, including very important school personnel.
Reading more titles in the series will encourage readers to utilize their schema to make predictions.
Strategies: connections, predictions

Mrs. Toggle's Beautiful New Shoes by Robin Pulver illustrated by R.W. Alley*

Spring's beauty and warmth draws Mrs. Toggle outside with her students during recess.  She joins their kickball game and in the process of kicking the ball, her beautiful blue shoe flings high into a tree.  Humorous events follow as individuals come up with ideas on how to rescue her shoe.
Several more titles in the series . . .as readers read them, they can use their schema to make quality predictions.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: connections, predicting

Sparky! by Jenny Offill illustrated by Chris Appelhans

The main character wants a pet but her mother states that is has to be one that does not need to be walked, bathed or fed.  So the young girl orders a sloth via express mail.  The story includes the humorous interactions between the girl and her new pet.
Pair with Eric Carle's Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth.
Strategies: inferring, connectitons

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman illustrated by Betsy Lewin*

I loved this book!  Divided into four chapters, the book shares Cowgirl Kate's adventures with her horse Cocoa.  The first chapter reveals how she selected Cocoa.  Cocoa talks which adds humor to the story.
Horse-loving girls will adore this series!
*Highly recommend.
Won Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor.
Guided Reading Level: J
DRA: 18-20

Tales of Amanda Pig by Jean Van Leeuwen illustrated by Ann Schweninger

Series perfect for the transitional reader and for a reader who needs to build stamina.
Level 2 Puffin Easy-to -Read  (ages 5-8)  Grades K-2
Guided Reading Level: L
Five short stories about Amanda with her family.  She is the youngest and has an older brother Oliver.  There are more words per page in this series compared to the Fox series by Edward Marshall.

Point to discuss: The siblings call each other names ("Mean dumb Oliver"  "fat baby Amanda") and use the word "dumb" a few times.

Fox at School by Edward Marshall illustrated by James Marshall *

A humorous series for beginning readers.
Three short stories about Fox's "adventures at school.
Great series for building stamina in a beginning reader.
*Highly recommend.
Guided reading level: J