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GOSSIE
Written by Olivier Dunrea
A story about a gosling, her favorite red boots, and (ultimately) about sharing, Gossie is charming, gentle, and avoids being cloying or saccharine. Lots of fun to look at, too, and a book you’ll be asked to read repeatedly… and you really won’t mind!

 

 

YUMMY YUCKY
Written by Leslie Patricelli
Sure, there’s also the author/illustrator’s equally recommended Quiet Loud and Big Little (and more) but when you’ve got an appealing baby acting out the funny opposites contained in here, you know you’ve got a winner. Spaghetti = yummy. Worms = yucky.  Simple, good fun. (For the record, please note that “boogers” are properly defined as yucky… but they are defined for those who are squeamish about such things)

 

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(4-8)

 

THE JAZZ MAN
Written by Karen Ehrhardt and Illustrated by R.G. Roth
A jazzy variation of  the counting classic “This Old Man,” this book is not only fun to read aloud just as it is, but you can also use it to learn/teach a ton about some key figures in jazz. Each of the nine “this jazz man” refrains is actually about a specific, famous jazz musician, and the last four pages of the book contain biographical info about them (from Louis Armstrong to Charles Mingus). But again, that’s a bonus, as this book works on every level.

 

I'M A PILL BUG
Written by Yukihisa Tokuda and Illustrated by Kiyoshi Takahasi
Whether you call ‘em roly-polies, pill bugs, or  something else, most everyone knows these little fellows. After reading this, you’ll know them much better AND be entertained in the process. Learn what they eat, why they live near humans, and, yes, learn that they poop. It’s real science… but it’s also just a real good book.

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(6-9)

COWGIRL KATE AND COCOA
Written by Erica Silverman and Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
There are four stories about two strongly defined personalities – Kate and her horse Cocoa – in this, the first book in the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series. There may not be a lot of action in these slices of ranch life, but each story is fun, funny, and clever. Great for early independent readers.

 

 

TOYS GO OUT: BEING THE ADVENTURES OF A KNOWLEDGEABLE STINGRAY, A TOUGHY LITTLE BUFFALO, AND SOMEONE CALLED PLASTIC
Written by Emily Jenkin and Illustrated by Paul Zelinsky
The title alone should tell you if this book is right for the early chapter book reader in your life. The book tells of a young girl and her three favorite playthings as they deal with the world in a series of small, shared adventures. Funny, insightful, warm, and wonderfully slightly-off-kilter, this is that rare book perfect for those not quite ready for more advanced middle grade reading (or, frankly, even for those who are!).

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(9-12)

RICKSHAW GIRL
Written by Mitali Perkins and Illustrated by Jamie Hogan
This story about a young girl who wants to help her family during hard times takes place in contemporary Bangladesh, but that only helps show how certain desires, feelings and relationships are universal, even if most American children reading this will never have a father who drives a rickshaw… nor will they disguise themselves as a boy to drive the rickshaw one day in an attempt to help make desperately needed money. This is a moving, meaty, fascinating and entertaining story told in 96 tight pages.

 

 

THE AMERICAN STORY
Written by Jennifer Armstrong and Illustrated by Roger Roth
100 true stories from American history (from 1565 to 2000), this is a remarkably fun, broad collection. The 100 chosen stories include some  major moments you’d expect, but also cover lesser known (the great molasses flood of 1919, for example) and are always told in utterly engaging ways.  A bibliography points to additional sources, and odds are you’ll all be inspired to read from that list (or others), too.