Clackety Track Poems About Trains by Skila Brown illustrated by Jamey Christoph

 Clever, engaging poems about trains

Perfect way to introduce a train-loving child to poetry.

-Borrowed from the library.

Home for Christmas by Jan Brett*

 Rollo, a naughty troll, will never lose his tail, for only kind and helpful trolls do. Exasperated with his parents' demands, he leaves his home. For a while he enjoys his freedom. He finds homes with various wild animals. In the end he realizes "there is no place like home" and returns. The borders and illustrations are, of course, exquisite. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Zap! Clap! Boom! The Story of a Thunderstorm by Laura Purdie Salas illustrated by Elly MacKay*

 Rhyming, rhythmic text celebrates a thunderstorm formation and its aftermath. The layered paper illustrations depict the words precisely yet also add to and enhance the story.

Perfect read for late summer thunderstorms.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Gooch Machine Poems for Children to Perform by Brod Bagert illustrated by Tim Ellis

 Before the book begins, Mr. Bager encourages children to read his poems aloud with expression. He offers some hints how to read with expression. Very kid-friendly poems printed in big font. Perfect for struggling readers, new readers, transitional readers . . .and those learning to read with expression and becoming more fluent. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L'Engle illustrated by Carl Cassle

 An Austin Family Story for young readers

This easy chapter book (perfect for transitional readers) focuses on seven-year-old Vicky who is starring as the angel in the Christmas Pageant for the first time. Mother is pregnant and due any day. Vicky worries that mother will not be at home for Christmas. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Judy Moody and Friends Judy Moody and the Missing Mood Ring #12 by Megan McDonald illustrated by Erwin Madrid*

 I am a huge Nancy Drew fan, so that fact has made me biased to this book!

Judy Moody loves mysteries. Judy Moody loves Nancy Drew mysteries. When she literally runs into a girl coming from the library, she finds a friend, who loves mysteries and Nancy Drew. Mighty Fantaskey, her new friend, invites her to her house. The house is old. The house seems haunted. Judy Moody flees the scene. At home she discovers her mood ring is missing. Will she have Nancy Drew's bravery to return Mighty's scary house to search for the ring? She has the brains and a bobby pin ....!! I especially love the ending and can personally relate to it!

*Highly recommend. Perfect for transitional readers and for building stamina.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Cobble Street Cousins by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin-Part 2**

 #2 A Little Shopping-Lily, Rosie, and Tess decide to create Aunt Lucy a dollsize replica of her flowershop. The cousins plan, shop and create for this special surprise. Of course, Michael, Aunt Lucy's boyfriend, is part of the action.

#4 Some Good News- Lily decides it would be fun to create a neighborhood newspaper. Rosie and Tess readily agree. The three cousins publish an appealing, interesting newspaper for their neighbors to enjoy.

**Highly,  highly recommend. I love this series! Perfect for transitional readers.

-Borrowed from the library.

Judy Moody and Friends Prank You Very Much by Megan McDonald illustrated by Erwin Madrid

 Judy loves pranks . . .especially when she can pull them on her younger brother, Stink. As she observes him caring for his tomato plants, she creates the ultimate prank!

I love the colorful, bold, large illustrations and short chapters for transitional readers.

-Borrowed from the library.

Cobble Street Cousins #6 Wedding Flowers by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin**

 This adorable series ends with the ultimate celebration-a wedding! The three cousins, Lily, Rose and Tess, return to Aunt Lucy's to help with the wedding and to be in it!

Six short chapters-perfect for transitional readers.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Cobble Street Cousins #5 Summer Party by Cynthia Ryant illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin**

 The cousins, Lily, Rose and Tess, have lived with Aunt Lucy for their entire fourth grade year. Now their parents are returning from their world tour with the ballet, taking the girls to their respective homes. The girls are weepy. Michael, Aunt Lucy's boyfriend, and Aunt Lucy encourage the girls to think of the future. To welcome their parents home, they plan a party. During the party an event occurs that causes much celebration for everyone!

Five shorter chapters that encourage stamina-perfect for transitional readers.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Cobble Street Cousins #3 Special Gifts by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin**

 To occupy their time over winter break, they decide to ask Mrs. White to teach them to sew. She agrees if in exchange they assist her in cleaning out a trunk. As they sort through the treasured memories, Mrs. White suggests the girls maintain a diary between the three to record their memories. Michael invites Aunt Lucy and the girls over for a winter solstice party, where they enjoy earthy food and exchange thoughtful gifts.

Three chapters -perfect for building stamina for transitional readers.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Thimbleberry Stories by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Maggie Kneen*

 Fans of Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem will also love the Thimbleberry Stories. Nigel the chipmunk thrives on maintaining in his cozy cottage on Thimbleberry Lane. Although he prefers to stay home, he also ventures out into the countryside to visit his friends Little Owl, Claudis, Copper, and Mudpuppy. The illustrations by British artist, Maggie Kneen, are delightful. I especially adore the border illustrations. They add whimsy. 

My main reason for reading this book was to add to my book list for beginning readers. However, the word choice, sentence complexity, and amount of words on a page are not ideal for beginning or struggling readers. It would be a good choice for transitional readers who are beginning to read longer chapter books. I would recommend it also for younger advanced readers and for reading aloud to astute toddlers and preschoolers. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Owl Diaries -Eva's Treetop Festival by Rebecca Elliott

 Eva decides to celebrate spring by organizing the first ever Bloomtastic Festival. Through diary format, Eva shares her dilemmas as she tries to plan and implement the festival by herself.

I found the story and characters superficial. I am trying to find series for transitional readers that are clever and that value children as intelligent humans. This one won't be making the list!

Sixteen books in the series so far.

Points to discuss: One owl, Sue Clawson,  is mean to Eva. Eva also says not nice comments about her. Their relationship is somewhat improved by the end of the book.

72 pages long with lots of sketches and space on the page

-Borrowed from the library.

Begin with a Bee by Liza Ketchum, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, and Phyliss Root illustrations by Claudia McGehee

 The life-cycle of a queen rusty-patched bumble bee is displayed in this book featuring scratchboard illustrations. The wonder of this bee points to an amazing Creator! Additional facts are included in the back. I did not know that native bees (like the rusty-patched bumble bee) are better pollinators than honey bees. Buzz pollination is also an interesting ability!

-Borrowed from the library.

Out Into the Big Wide Lake by Paul Harbridge illustrated by Josee Bisaillon*

 For the first time Kate visits her grandparents on her own for the summer. Throughout the summer her grandparents encourage her to learn new skills, including to pilot the boat. As she helps her grandfather deliver groceries by boat to various homes on the lake, she meets interesting people, including grumpy Walter. When Kate's grandfather becomes ill suddenly, Kate must decide if she is capable of delivering groceries by herself.

I liked the repeated dialogue- "Me?" said Kate

                                               "Why not?" said Grandma/Grandpa/Parbuckle.

Kate is based on the author's sister, Linda Catherine, who has Down's snydrome. A short biography about her appears at the front of the book.

Points to discuss: Down's snydrome, heart attack (the reader can infer that the grandfather has a heart attack)

*Award-winner-Ezra Jack Keats Award for 2022!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

One Smart Sheep by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney illustrated by Jane Manning

 Mr. Schmidt and his late-wife, Elizabeth, wrote this book together before she passed away.

Abigail Atwood is a sheep farmer who loves the quiet. Her neighbor, Jeremiah Jefferson, loves to tinker. . .which produces noise. He also thinks sheep are rather stupid. When Wilson, the friendliest, wooliest and smartest sheep escapes, Abigail and Jeremiah join forces to find him and to bring him home.

The short chapters with full-page illustrations will appeal to transitional readers who are building stamina and confidence.

*Highly recommend for transitional or struggling readers. Toddlers and preschoolers who are advanced in their ability to listen to a story would love this book as a read aloud.

-Borrowed from the library.

The House That George Built by Suzanne Slade illustrated Rebecca Bond*

Based on the traditional poem, This Is the House That Jack Built, Ms. Slade reveals the steps George Washington took to build the White House.  On the left hand side of the each page, the text is prose providing the story/facts about the specific step.

Personally reading the This Is the House That Jack Built poem exhausts me, so when reading this book I just read the prose! 

I found the information about the building of the White House fascinating and highly recommend reading this book when studying this period of history.  Additonal information about the White House and also its additons by other presidents is provided in the back.  

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.