Libraries and Literacy

Working in the library, I frequently get asked for suggestions for specific age groups by parents who want to encourage their child to enjoy reading but aren’t sure what they will like or what is the correct reading level for their child. Some parents think their infant may be too young for books or too old for picture books, but there are a lot of good books out there that parents can share with their children. Sharing books and reading out loud can help children and parents grow and learn together, finding out more about each other’s likes and dislikes, as well as parents sharing their own favorite books from their childhood.

I created this list based on my own favorites, broken down by rough age group. This helped me brain storm recommendations for parents who have no idea what things their children like, and provides a quick guide to parents in deciding what type of book might appeal to which age. Both libraries that I work in have lists or databases of picture books and juvenile fiction on specific topics, so parents, caregivers, and children who are interested in fiction about dragons can have a quick resource. However, there are many parents who aren’t sure which of all the books we have are likely to appeal to their children at specific ages. They might choose one with too many or too few words.

Here it is:
Sarah’s Top Picks for Grade School Read Aloud and Book Talks
Babies
Wilson, Karma, Baby Cakes
Kubler, Annie, Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Cimarusti, Marie, Peek-a-Moo!
Kubler, Annie, Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Weatherford, Carole, Jazz Baby

Toddler
Martin, Bill, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?
Baker, Keith, Big Fat Hen
Cousins, Lucy, Jazzy in the Jungle
Carle, Eric, From Head to Toe
Bates, Ivan, Five Little Ducks

Pre-K
Dodd, Emma, Dog’s Colorful Day
Fleming, Denise, Cow who Clucked
Wood, Audrey, Dog Needs a Bone
Carle, Eric, Very Hungry Caterpillar
London, Jonathan, Froggy Gets Dressed

Grades K-1
Feiffer, Julie, Bark, George
Christelow, Five Little Monkeys
Anderson, Peggy Chuck’s Truck
Beaumont, Karen, Move Over Rover
Hest, Amy, In the Rain with Baby Duck

Grades 1-2
Graves, Keith, Three Nasty Gnarlies
Broach, Elise, When dinosaurs came with everything
Brown, Jeff, Flat Stanley
Lester, Helen, Tacky the Penguin
Kann, Victoria, Pinkalicious

Grades 2-3
Edwards, Pamela, Dinorella: A Prehistoric Fairy Tale
Barrett, Judi, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Soto, Gary, Chato’s Kitchen
Auch, Mary Jane, The Princess and the Pizza
Dr. Seuss, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street