Books for Beginning Readers
Seal Island School
Seal Island School by Susan Bartlett, illustrated by Tricia Tusa Seal Island, Maine had one school and one teacher. Forty-nine people lived on the island. Each year a new teacher came to the school, and each year he or she left in June. The teachers all said it was too lonely there. Pru Stanley really…
Up! Tall! And High!
Up! Tall! And High! (but not necessarily in that order.) by Ethan Long This is a silly, colorful book for emerging readers. Using only a few, easy-to-read words, Long presents 3 stories with fun bird characters. The stories center around the birds, and the words/concepts of tall, high (flying), and up (in a tree). Each…
Toys Go Out
Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky According to the subtitle, this book is “…the adventures of a knowledgeable stingray, a toughy little buffalo, and someone called Plastic.” The three main characters, StingRay, Lumphy, and Plastic, are toys who live in a house with the Little Girl and her parents. When…
The Big Balloon Race
The Big Balloon Race by Eleanor Coerr, Illustrated by Carolyn Croll It is 1882. Horses, buggies, and wagons are common forms of transportation. Large crowds turn out to watch balloon races. The huge balloons are filled with hydrogen gas. Carlotta the Great is the best female aeronaut (balloon pilot) in America. On the morning of…
Thinking of Maurice Sendak
Thinking of Maurice Sendak This week marks what would have been Maurice Sendak’s 85th birthday. Google even did a little animation showing some of his well-known characters. Sendak was born June 10, 1928. He died on May 8, 2012. Sendak was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1964 (Where the Wild Things Are); the Hans Christian…
Where is the Green Sheep?
Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek This is a fun picture book for the toddler and preschooler set. My daughter loved this book – I think we read several times a day for months. The text and illustrations are simple, but engaging. The text has a rhythm that moves…
For Gifted Young Readers
I’m adding a new page on Bookworm Bear – Young Gifted Readers – a page for those who learn to read very well at an early age. It is very exciting to have a strong, young reader. As a parent, you try to help him or her find books that are fun to read, and…
Kid Lit Giveaway Blog Hop
Kid Lit Giveaway Blog Hop in Honor of Children’s Book Week I’m trying something new here with Bookworm Bear: the Kid Lit Giveaway Blog Hop in Honor of Children’s Book Week. Bookworm Bear will be giving one lucky reader a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com. All you need to do to enter (one entry per…
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss and Read Across America
Today, March 2, is the anniversary of the birth of Theodor Seuss Geisel – Dr. Seuss. Today also is Read Across America (http://www.seussville.com/Educators/educatorReadAcrossAmerica.php). Folks in my town organized a day (they are guessing it may take 8 hours to read all the books) of reading books by Dr. Seuss. The local event was the result…
Orange Pear Apple Bear
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett This is a sweet, simple picture book for the youngest audience, or for beginning readers. The story is presented through just five words: apple, pear, orange, bear, and there. This book explores the concepts of color, food, and shape. The lively illustrations convey much about the bear’s playful…
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Betsy Lewin Cowgirl Kate and her horse, Cocoa, are good friends who spend time riding, and counting and herding cows. Like most friends, they disagree sometimes – for instance: is it time to eat, or time to count cows? When Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa ride…
Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time
Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay Houndsley and his friend, Catina, find themselves snowed-in for a day (with the first snow of winter). Catina worries at first – she has things to do before the concert that evening. Houndsley loves the quiet and isn’t worried at all.…
