At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we LOVE having loads of books in our home! Our kids are read to from birth, and grow to love reading so much so that our main home decor in their spaces is book shelves! Below are some really sweet books for early readers. These are great for practice early on and also great for reinforcing reading skills. These are all Level 1 reading books.
- Big Shark, Little Shark ►is a fun Step 1 book about two sharks is a study in opposites. Big Shark has big teeth; Little Shark has little teeth. Big Shark swims fast; Little Shark swims slow. But they are both hungry! Will they each succeed in finding a tasty snack? Little Shark is hoping that he won’t become fast food for Big Shark!
- May I Please Have Cookie ►is a Level 1 Scholastic Reader where Alfie learns that the best way to get a delicious cookie is to say please!
- Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach ►Pete the Cat is one groovy cat at finding shells and building sand castles at the beach. But when it gets too hot, there’s only one way to cool off—jump into the ocean! Except Pete might be a scaredy-cat when it comes to the water.
- Super Friends: Flying High ► Something strange has happened to the birds of Gotham City. Pigeons are causing traffic jams, seagulls are making trouble at a nearby beach, and ostriches have escaped from the zoo! The Penguin has enlisted his fine feathered friends to distract the DC Super Friends while he swoops in and plucks Gotham’s biggest bank clean! Will Batman, Superman, and the other DC Super Friends get there in time?
- The Fat Cat Sat on the Mat ►The fat cat sat on the mat. “Get off!” said the rat. But the fat cat just sat. Will the rat get the fat cat off the mat?
- Fancy Nancy and the Too-Loose Tooth Nancy ► Nancy really wants to get a special tooth-holder necklace from the school nurse—but how can she make sure her loose tooth falls out at school?
- Fancy Nancy: Too Many Tutus ►Nancy’s mom says Nancy has too many tutus! But what happens when her class hosts a swap-and-shop and Nancy finds the perfect tutu?
- Fire Truck to the Rescue! ►There’s a fire in LEGO City. The fire-fighters are in their fire truck and on their way. With their tall ladder and the very best equipment they’ll save the day!
- Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream Splat ► Splat and his class go on a field trip to an ice cream factory in this delectable I Can Read book from New York Times bestselling author-artist Rob Scotton. Splat can barely sit still during the bus ride. He’s imagining the mountain of ice cream he thinks he’ll get to eat! But when Splat gets there, that mountain becomes more of an avalanche. It’s up to Splat and his classmates to save the day! Beginning readers will practice the –eam sound in this easy-to-read addition to the Splat series. Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.
- Mac and Cheese ►Written in the style of P. D. Eastman’s classic Big Dog . . . Little Dog, this modern-day alley-cat odd couple will delight beginning readers. Mac loves to run and play, but Cheese likes lazy lounging. When Mac’s hat blows away, will Cheese sit there like a lump or spring into action to save it? Mac and Cheese is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.
- Max Has a Fish Max ►loves his pet fish–it can swim, eat, and even blow bubbles. But Max is incredibly disappointed to learn that his fish can’t dance. Is there another animal that can dance with Max? Find out at the end of this fun and fast-paced Level 1 story!
- Amelia Bedelia ►Ever wondered what the classic American children’s book character Amelia Bedelia was like as a child? With a brightly colored, easy-carry handle and a Velcro-tabbed cover, this boxed set includes five Level 1 I Can Read stories featuring young Amelia Bedelia. Perfect for new and emerging readers. With five young Amelia Bedelia Level 1 I Can Read stories inside, this boxed set is ideal for introducing new readers to the literal-minded little girl’s funny adventures. It includes: Amelia Bedelia Makes a Friend, Amelia Bedelia Sleeps Over, Amelia Bedelia Hits the Trail, Amelia Bedelia Tries Her Luck, and Amelia Bedelia Joins the Club. Take this little suitcase of Amelia Bedelia’s literal and age-appropriate humor and vocabulary fun with you on the road, or enjoy it at home.
- Penny and Her Marble ►In the third easy-to-read book about Penny the mouse, written by Caldecott Medalist and bestselling author Kevin Henkes, Penny finds a beautiful marble on her neighbor’s lawn and must decide whether or not to keep it. With age-appropriate vocabulary, compelling characters, and a memorable storyline, Penny and her Marble is just right for beginning readers and was named a 2014 Geisel Honor book by the American Library Association. This annual award, given to the most distinguished books for beginning readers, is named for the world-renowned children’s author Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. Kevin Henkes is known for his mouse characters, including Lilly, Owen, Chrysanthemum, Wemberly, and now Penny! In Penny and her Marble, the third book in the Penny series, Penny finds a marble on Mrs. Goodwin’s yard and takes it home. But does the marble really belong to Penny? Kevin Henkes is a master at creating beautifully illustrated books that resonate with young children. The Penny books are new classics for beginning readers and will appeal to fans of Frog and Toad, Little Bear, and Henry and Mudge.
- Drop It, Rocket! ►Rocket, the beloved dog from the New York Times bestselling picture books How Rocket Learned to Read and Rocket Writes a Story, is back in a Step 1 leveled reader. Rocket is ready to find new words for his word tree with his teacher, the little yellow bird. He finds a leaf, a hat, and a star . . . but when he finds a red boot, he doesn’t want to let go. What will make Rocket drop it? With predictable patterns, simple words, lots of repetition, and bright, colorful illustrations, this Rocket book will charm young readers—and they can read it all by themselves! Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.
- Ninja on the Farm ►In the first book in this fun Level 1 reader series, Moby Shinobi heads to the farm! Moby tries to collect eggs, gather hay, and feed the pigs, but each try ends in a funny mess. Moby wants to help Farmer Bob, but what if his ninja skills aren’t right for the job? Then the cows break down the gate-can Moby use his ninja tricks to save the day before the runaway cows ruin the farm? Rhyming text and energetic full-color artwork make this the perfect book for young readers!
- Moo Dog ►This Level One reader is a follow-up to the sweet and funny Moo Bird in which Bird says “moo” instead of “tweet.” In this book, Dog says “moo” instead of “woof!” The other animals laugh at Dog. They don’t understand why he is different. Can friends Dog and Bird show the other animals that being different can be fun?
- Go, Go, Trucks! ►A brother and sister discover all kinds of trucks as they travel through their own neighborhood, drive on a highway, and visit a county fair! Young vehicle-enthusiasts will take pride in cruising through the simple, rhyming text. Bright, bouncy art will help them along the reading journey. Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired picture clues help children decode the story.
- National Geographic Readers: Pyramids ►Travel to ancient Egypt to learn all about its amazing pyramids in this new National Geographic Kids Reader. The Level 1 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for beginning readers about these amazing wonders of the world and their importance today.
- The Long Dog Simple text paired with large, toothy dog grins make this book a surefire hit with beginning readers! This level 1 reader uses funny dogs to introduce opposite words. There’s a dirty dog and a clean dog, a mean dog and a nice dog, and many more! Plus, there’s an extremely long dog who keeps popping into the story. The long dog adds humor to the book, and kids will be anxious to turn the pages all the way to the end! Young readers will enjoy Eric Seltzer’s bright illustrations and rhythmic, easy-to-read text.
- We Play ►Dick can play. Jane can play. Spot can play, too! Have fun with Dick and Jane as you read along with this sweet and simple story.