Whether we are ready for it or not, the season is upon
us!!! Yes, it’s the season for universal
screeners, mid-year exams, etc. But
that’s not the season I’m talking about today.
No, today it is all about the holiday season! BUT WAIT!
Don’t panic. Breathe. I know that you have been quite busy, hard at
work with your students, so holiday shopping…maybe on the backburner?
Have no fear! Leach’s
Literacy is here! I’m writing a two-part
series on GREAT books for kids! I mean,
who wouldn’t love for their kids to curl up with a good book this winter,
getting lost in the story or absorbing fun, new facts? Books are ALWAYS under my Christmas
tree. Imagine that. Part I in the series will be books for
Kindergarten through 1st, as well as 2nd through 3rd. Part II will have books for the upper
elementary grades and then suggestions for middle school kids…as recommended by
a friend who has TWO MIDDLE SCHOOL kids in her home currently who are avid
readers.
Let’s start with
Kinder and 1st grade -
So, this is always an interesting conversation, because we
struggle with purchasing books for kids who are still in the process of
learning to read. So, let’s start with
our purpose. Are you looking for books
that kids can read independently? Or are
you looking for some books that you can curl up on the couch and read to your
child, modeling how to just sit and enjoy a great book?
I’m going to make recommendations based on grade levels, but
know that you can always select a book that you read to and with your
child. What better way for them to get
HOOKED on books? Having been in the
classroom for many, many years, I have seen the value of kids being surrounded
by books and being read to on the laps of those they love. So, feel free to read through the 2nd
and 3rd grade suggestions for books that you can read TO your child,
as they learn to do the work of a reader.
I Can Read! Series
There is an entire selection of books that are part of the I
Can Read! Series. They have characters
that range from Lego Batman, Ninjago, Fancy Nancy, Biscuit, Paw Patrol,
Paddington, Amelia Bedelia, Dixie, and so many more! These readers are simple for kids to read,
using picture clues, high frequency words, and repetitive text. What a great way for kids to feel like they
are successful as readers, as they work through their own books!! There are
countless books in this collection that kids will pour over and read again and
again.
As students start to fall in love with books, they move from
some of the predictable text, easy readers, etc. and into novels. Sometimes they are referred to as chapter
books. There are so many great books
that will capture the attention of our 2nd and 3rd grade
students! Here are some suggestions!
2nd and 3rd
grade suggestions
The Notebook of Doom
series by Troy Cummings– Boys and girl alike love the silly, not-too-scary
stories in this series. Like the
Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton series, these books have the fun font and
illustrations inside. It’s written just
like the title says…a notebook!
Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton - Remember
that lady I mentioned with TWO middle school kids? Well, her kids transitioned from the picture
books into chapter books when they discovered Geronimo and Thea Stilton
books.
Each page is filled with colorful, varied font that captures the attention of the reader from the start. I mean, who WOULDN’T love to read pages like this?!
In need of additional great book suggestions…??? Here you go!
My Weird School
series by Dan Gutman – Stories that kids will giggle and connect with, as they
ready about quirky teachers, hilarious mishaps, and funny characters.
The Unicorn Princesses
series by Emily Bliss– Unicorns who are princesses…need I say more?!
Ready, Freddy! Series
by Abby Klein– Hilarious series written by a TEACHER who taught kinder and 1st
grade. It’s about a boy who finds
himself in a variety of predicaments at school.
You KNOW it has to be good when it’s written by an educator!
Looking for non-fiction to capture your child’s
attention? Kids of ALL ages seem to love
animals, actual photographs, and the colorful images in National Geographic Kids Chapters series.
And there are SO MANY MORE, but it’s busy season for all of
us! Hopefully this will help for
suggestions for parents wanting to support their child in reading, for
relatives who need gift ideas, or even for you…stocking up on new books for
your classroom libraries!
Check the blog for Part II of our Christmas Shopping BOOK
suggestions for grades 4-8!
