Tag Archives: beginning reader

Try a Bite, Trilobite!

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by Jonathan Fenske

Bug really wants his friend, Trilobite, to try his snack. But, Trilobite ONLY eats noodles. In the end, Trilobite is willing to take a nibble and eats the whole thing. Fortunately, she has LOTS of noodles to share.

This easy reader is written in the same way as “Elephant & Piggie” and uses speech bubbles to convey the story. Colors are bright and there is a lot of white space on the page. The characters’ emotions are clearly shown in their expressions and the book is simple enough for early readers. This book should fly off the shelves as another option for those kids that love Mo Willems’ books and easy graphic novels. Highly recommended.

There Might be a Kazoo Emergency

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written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple; illustrated by Selom Sunu

Gregory James is on his way to school when he is knocked over by two bigger boys. As he picks up the items that spilled out of his backpack, Lola (who becomes his new friend) stops to help him. He explains the odd contents of his backpack (duster, strainer and kazoo) and they walk to school, because they missed the bus. They come upon their school bus being attacked by a dinosaur AND flying aloft under a rainbow balloon. Fortunately, Gregory James has the tools necessary to save the day and rescue the bus and the bigger boys from earlier. Then, he and Lola continue on their way to school.

This early reader graphic novel starts with a nice tutorial about graphic novels, Speech and thought bubbles are explained as are panels. Minimal text and clean, simple cartoon-like illustrations make this an easy read. The story line is rather strange. But, a beginning reader will feel quite successful with this simple book.

Sabrina Sue Loves the Sky

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written and illustrated by Priscilla Burris

Sabrina Sue, a precocious and somewhat silly chicken, wants to fly. Her farmyard friends try to tamp down her enthusiasm. But, she is not to be held back. She and her ever-present froggy sidekick jump into Farmer Brown’s truck and take a bumpy ride followed by a trek through trees and tall grass. She finally sees the sky, She and the froggy strap on their sky gear and run until they take off into the sky. After a quick selfie, she returns to her farm friends, eager to go again flying again one day.

Cute cartoonish illustrations and simple text make this a fun book for early readers. Speech bubbles are mixed in with short sentences. The story moves from single scenes to dual scenes throughout the story, which moves the story along at a quick pace. This is one of four Sabrina Sue books and is a fun addition to your library where early readers are in demand.

Captain Cat Goes to Mars

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by Emma J. Virjan

Captain Cat and his friend, Pilot Matt, fly their spaceship to Mars. They meet some friendly aliens there and explore the surface of the planet. A storm comes up and they wait it out with their new friends and some yummy snacks. Unfortunately, the storm tips over their spaceship, which cracks it. Their alien friends save the day with some glue and tools. The intrepid astronauts take off and their new friends follow behind.

This book, part of the Ready to Read series, is a very accessible story, with simple text that rhymes that are not overwhelming for the beginning reader. Engaging illustrations make it even more fun. Add this to your collection for those newly minted readers in your school.

When Whales Fly by Erica S. Perl

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Whale, Quail and Snail are hanging out watching the clouds when Whale states that she wishes she could fly. Snail, in a very matter-of-fact voice, tells her that she can learn to fly and that he and Quail will teach her. Quail is pretty dubious about this and states repeatedly that whales cannot fly. Snail believes it can happen and, eventually, Whale leaps (or flies) out of the water much to her delight and astonishment. Her big splash knocks Quail off the surfboard and Quail flounders, because he can’t swim. Whale offers to teach him how, because she’s a great swimmer…and pretty good at flying, too (according to Quail).

This Level Two reader has very accessible text and slightly longer sentences and simple chapters. Illustrations are bright and cartoon-like, filling the page with happy color. This is a fun story in a book that feels like a chapter book, perfect for young readers ready to move up a notch from picture books. Recommended.

Sabrina Sue Loves the Snow

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Sabrina Sue is an adventurous hen, who decides one day to see snow. She is too hot on the farm and wonders what snow is like (soft? crunchy?). Her fellow farm animals think it’s a bad idea and tell her that she is silly. She acknowledges the silly part, packs her bag and is on her way via truck, train and hiking. She and a frog that tags along finally find snow and have a glorious time. But, Sabrina Sue thinks about her friends and returns to the farm, bringing a snow globe and her froggy friend with her. She’s happy to be home, but she knows she’ll visit the snow again one day.

Bright, bold illustrations add to this fun story about this daring hen. Word bubbles add to the cartoon-like feel of the book. Text is simple and the font is large, which is perfect for new readers. The book is billed as a “Level One Ready to Read” book and it fills the niche nicely. This is one of a growing set of Sabrina Sue stories. Buy it for your early readers, because who doesn’t love a good chicken story?

Cat Has a Plan by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Fred Blunt

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Cat and Dog each have plans and they involve a stuffed dinosaur and each other. There is some jealousy at play here as Cat and Dog take turns stealing a well-loved stuffed dinosaur from each other. Masks, traps, nets and sacks are used as they go back in forth in ownership of the dino. Finally, a plan goes awry and the poor stuffed dinosaur falls into Mouse’s hole. Mouse is thrilled with his new toy. Cat and dog are sad for a while, but quickly hatch a plan to work together. They realize that they can both act and with their masks, they stage a play to earn money to each buy a new stuffed dinosaur. Now, everyone (Mouse, Cat and Dog) are happy!

This Ready-to-Read early reader has about 100 words and those words are listed at the beginning of the book along with a note to adults and encouragement for the reader. At the end of the story, there are some simple questions to enhance learning, if necessary. Illustrations are bright and exuberant. This cute little book will start young students on their way to a future as readers. Recommended.

What is Inside This Box?

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Monkey has a box and tells his friend, Cake, that there is a cat inside. This cat is magic, though. If the box is opened, he disappears! Cake questions this logic and he and Monkey have a spirited discussion about it. Cake is sure that there is no cat in the box, because there is a magic dinosaur in the box. And, this dinosaur disappears when the box is opened. The two friends eventually determine that they will never really know and walk away toward some pie. After they leave, a cat peeks out of the box and rides away on a dinosaur’s back.

This cute nod to Schrodeinger’s cat has simple illustrations on uncluttered pages, reminiscent of Mo Willem’s Elephant & Piggie. The text is dialogue and each character has a different color of speech bubble, making it easy for the reader to determine who is speaking at any given time. The friendship is real and they can agree to disagree in an amicable fashion, which is a lesson in itself. Early readers will enjoy the story and the characters and wonder themselves about the contents of the box!

Harley-Davidson

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Harley-Davidson, part of a six book series, gives the reader some history and some great photos of this iconic American motorcycle. Photos are on two page spreads with one to three sentences. Unfamiliar words are boldface and defined in the glossary in at the back of the book, which also has an index and table of contents.

This is a great book for the early readers. It should keep them reading and they will certainly enjoy the ‘coolness’ of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles! I don’t think this book will stay on the shelves.

Mr. Monkey Take a Hike

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Mr. Monkey wants to win his video game, but even though he   “runs…ducks…climbs…swings…jumps [and] falls” over and over. He is just about ready to give up when a chick comes in and swipes his game controller. OH NO! Mr. Monkey must leave his game to retrieve his controller from that silly little chick and the chase commences.  Mr. Monkey “runs…ducks…climbs…swings…jumps [and] falls” over and over as he attempts to catch the chick and his controller . Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? In the end, he finally gets his controller back, but is too tired to play. Poor Mr. Monkey And, as he peacefully sleeps in front of the television, a certain little chick returns and takes the controller. The end.

Readers will enjoy the cartoon-like illustrations and comic action of the story as they cheer on Mr. Monkey. Repetitive language is helpful as for those readers that need it. Mr. Monkey never gives up and the action along the way will elicit some gasps and giggles from young students. This is a third book involving Mr. Monkey and if the others are similarly written, I would certainly consider purchase of all three.

Flubby Will NOT Play with That

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Flubby is a typical cat and Kami discovers that fact when she brings home an assortment of cat toys from the pet store. She introduces each toy to Flubby with cat-like results…no interest on Flubby’s part. She tries a singing toy, rolling toy, swinging toy and a surprise toy. But, Flubby is just not interested. Kami gives up and walks away and then Flubby discovers the best toy of all – the paper bag from the pet store. What a fantastic toy for a cat!

Drawings are cartoon-like and text is simple. Occasionally, there are two to three panels on a page, giving the ‘feel’ of a graphic novel. Pet- loving young readers will enjoy this short, easy book about a girl and her cat and they can look forward to more, because there is another Flubby book cover shown on the back.

Kiwi Cannot Reach!

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Kiwi has a problem – he wants to pull the rope and he cannot reach it! Will the reader help? This interactive beginning reader is written with cartoon-like illustrations and word bubbles. The sentences are short and the words are accessible, while still moving the story along. Readers who enjoy Elephant & Piggie will giggle along with this fun story about an engaging, but helpless, little kiwi.

Snail & Worm

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Tina Kugler has credownloadated an engaging beginning reader book. This book contains three short story that feature Snail and Worm.  Snail is a happy, likable guy that is sometimes misguided in his understandings. Worm is more astute and is friends with Snail.

The repetitive words and phrases are enhanced by the colorful, simple drawings.  The page layout is a mix of traditional full page with minimal text and multiple images with in-line text.  Younger readers will laugh at the absurdity of Snail playing tag with a stick and a stone, but may miss the secondary joke concerning Snail’s speed. They will giggle as Snail climbs a flower that bends under his weight, leaving him 1/2 inch from the ground. Worm cheers him on as he makes the climb. “Wow, I can see so much from up here!” Snail exclaims. Worm responds, “I’m so proud of you.” What a supportive friend!

Snail & Worm will provide the beginning reader a sense of maturity as this book is a bit different than the traditional beginning readers in shape, layout and content. It will also offer the struggling older student a good choice without embarrassment.