Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa by Anna Dewdney*

For the first time Llama, Llama will be sleeping over at Gram and Grandpa's.  His excitement quickly dissipates when he realizes that he left Fuzzy Llama (his stuffed animal) at home.  How will he sleep without Fuzzy Llama?  Grandpa to the rescue!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Focus on the Family recommended this book in their recent magazine.

Two Dogs Swimming by Lynn Reiser

Whistle and Spot are two dogs who enjoy playing with each other.  Spot, however, pretends to swim until one day he realizes he is in the middle of the pond which is too deep to stand.
Cute story.
I especially liked the illustrations which permitted the reader to see how Spot was tricking everyone by pretending to swim.
*Borrowed from the library.

Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! by Charles Fuge

Little Wombat sort of makes fun of Platypus but eats his words when he falls into the river.  Platypus rescues him and ultimately teaches him how to swim.
A great book for introducing some animals from Australia.
*Borrowed from the library.

Little Tree by Loren Long

The author of the beloved Otis the Tractor books!
Little tree does not want to let go of his leaves.  As a result, he does not grow like the surrounding trees.  When he realizes no sunlight is reaching him way down low, he lets go of his leaves, even though he is afraid and immediately grows.
A discussion could follow about sometimes change is scary but necessary for us to grow into a mature individual.
Borrowed from the library.

I Can Read!-Mittens by Lola M. Schaefer illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung

"My First-Shared Reading"
Mittens is in a new home and is uncertain about his/her new surroundings.
Perfect for the new/beginning reader.
This book was part of a pack of books that I bought from my kindergartner's book order.
Guided Reading Level: G (1st grade
Grade Level Equivalent: 1.2

Follow the Line to School by Laura Ljungkvist*

The reader can literally follow a drawn line on the page onto the next page.  The line is part of the illustrations.  Each page introduces a new aspect to school and asks the reader some questions.  Very interactive.
*Highly recommend.
Ms. Ljungkvist has written other "Follow the Line" books.  Follow the Line Around the World interests us.
Idea: I created a trial of rope to lead to where the book was hidden.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn*

A well-read book!
A mother raccoon assures her young raccoon of her love as he ventures to his first "night" of school.
Idea:  I made a trail of Hershey kisses to the location where I hid the book.  Around the book, I made the Hershey kisses in a shape of a heart.  My five year old loved it(the anticipation of eating them, that is!)!

On the Way to Kindergarten by Virginia Kroll illustrated by Elisabeth Schlossberg

This sweet storybook tells the chronological story of a bear starting when he was a newborn until he is five, ready for kindergarten.  At each age, new milestones are celebrated making the case that he (and your child) is old enough and competent enough for school.

Kindergarten Countdown by Anna Jane Hays illustrated by Linda Davick

Lucy is counting down the days until kindergarten.
Starting at day 7, this story in rhyme offers opportunities for parents to discuss what kindergarten may be like and opens the doors for sharing feelings about this change.
I like how the number is displayed at the top of each spread and how the day of the week is shown at the bottom right side of each spread.   On the back endpaper, there is a pictograph that children can count.
A perfect book to read on the day you start counting down with your kindergartner.

Monkey Not Ready for Kindergarten by Marc Brown

The author/illustrator of the endearing Arthur series has written a new book about a monkey not feeling very sure about going to kindergarten.  Monkey's family members assure him how great Kindergarten will be but Monkey is not convinced.
This book addresses many Kindergartners'  fears.  Through Monkey's experience on the first day, soon-to-be Kindergartners may not be as apprehensive.
Great to read with your new Kindergartner.

Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber*

An oldie but a goody!
Ira having his first sleep over at Reggie's house.  The problem arises when he must decide if he is going to take along his teddy bear, Tah-Tah.  His parents do not think Reggie will laugh; his sister continually states "He'll laugh."  Poor Ira vacillates between bringing Tah-Tah and not bringing him throughout the story.
Lots of opportunities to make inferences and connections.  My boys and I had a good time thinking while I read this book aloud to them.
Strategies:  connections, inferring, author's message
Warnings/points to discuss: Reggie begins to tell a scary ghost story.
Guided Reading Level: L (2nd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.5

Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada by Jimmy Fallon illustrated by Miguel Ordonez

Various farm animal fathers try to have their babies say, "Dada" throughout the book.  The baby animal in return just says their typical sound (like the calf says "moo").
The text is very simple-mostly "Dada" and then the animal sound.
Humorous-maybe give to a new father for fun.

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo*

My second grader's teacher was reading this aloud to the class so he asked me to read it at home too!
Opal does not understand why her mother left them and her father offers little insight into her mother.  When they move to Naomi, Opal spontaneously adopts a stray dog and promptly names her "Winn-Dixie".  As she walks with Winn-Dixie around town, Opal learns more about her mother, herself, her father and many other individuals in the town.
This book reveals how everyone has a story and their own heartaches.  A great book about friendship and not judging.

Warnings/points to discuss: Gloria Dump was an alcoholic; Miss Franny uses the word "hell" often when she tells one story about her ancestor and the war; Amanda is dealing with her brother's drowning death; Opal's mother left them

Guided Reading Level: R (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalency: 4.1

I Can Read -Fancy Nancy Spectacular Spectacles by Jane O'Connor illustrated by Ted Enik*

Nancy's best friend Bree comes home from the eye doctor with new eyeglasses which are lavender and they glitter!  In addition, Bree has silver case for them and silky pink hankie to clean them.  Nancy feels a tad jealous and tries to convince her parents that she needs glasses too.
Creative solution!
Pair with Marc Brown's Arthur's Eyes. 
*Highly recommend.
Perfect for beginning readers.
Strategies: expanding vocab., connections

Just Itzy by Lana Krumwiede illustrated by Greg Pizzoli*

When Itzy goes off to Spindergarten, he does not want anyone to call him Itzy Bitzy.  "Just Itzy, please."  On his first day of school, Izy must spin a web and try to catch a fly but failure seems to be pursuing him.  The end of his day is surprising and satisfying.
Love all the references to classic spiders- Charlotte, Itzy Bitzy Spider, Little Miss Muffet, There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!
Strategies: connections (T-T), inferences

First Snow by Peter McCarty

Pedro comes from afar to visit his cousins Sancho and  and his siblings.  During his visit it begins to snow.  He has never seen snow and is not sure if he likes.  Gradually he accumulates and has a change of heart about winter.
Illustrations consist of a pastel  palette against a creamy background.
The characters comprise of many different animal creatures.
Strategies: connections, predicting

Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear me? I Mean it!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Alexander has very strong opinions about moving and tries to figure out ways to remain at his old house.
Gradually he warms up to the idea.
Great book to read when one's family is about to move.
Pair with Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood.
Guided Reading Level: M (end of 2nd grade)

Smile by Rain Telgemeier*

This graphic novel shares the author's true story of enduring braces, surgery and finally being secure in who she is-from sixth grade through her senior year.  Deals with the typical  issues of a girl going through puberty and trying to figure out one's identity.
Raina's "friends" are not very nice to her.  It takes her awhile to be confident in herself to find true friends.
Points to discuss: crushes; spin the bottle game; thinking about kissing a boy; unkindness-finding friends who appreciate one for who one is
Award Winner- Will Eisner Winner (for graphic novels)
*Highly recommend.

Flight School by Lita Judge*

Penguin wants to learn to fly so he attends flight school.  Readers will sympathize with penguin and his teachers as they attempt the seemingly impossible.
Ending is humorous!
Wonderful, adorable illustrations-expressive.
*Highly recommend.  
Strategies: schema (about penguins can't fly); inferring

Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall*

On the same day Mr. and Mrs. Button each bring home a new pet-a dog and a cat.  Dog and Cat try to be mature and get along but they are too different.  They come up with a solution but then an additional pet turns everything topsy-turvy!
*Highly recommend.
Funny!  Bold, humorous illustrations.
A title we plan to buy!
Strategies predicting, inferring, determining importance (compare/contrast)
Teaching idea: This book would be a great one to introduce/reinforce the concept of a venn diagram or the idea of comparing/contrasting.