Beginning Reader Books

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Affiliate Links If your kids are beginning readers, ages kindergarten to second grade, you’ll want to buy or borrow enticing beginning reader books that will keep your kids reading over the summer. Here are lots to choose from. When you choose, remember to consider your child’s interest and reading level.

Beginning Reader Books

beginning reader books
Monkey and Elephant Get Better
by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Galia Bernstein
Hooray, another early reader that doesn’t stink! Clever adventures of friends, monkey and elephant, with bright, bold illustrations.

beginning reader books
A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse
a Toon Book by Frank Viva
Mouse’s explorer friend sails to the Arctic where he shows mouse all that there is to see – whales, penguins, and more all the while mouse interrupts with “Can we go home yet?” every few pages. A great early reader cartoon book!

beginning reader books
Pinch and Dash and the Terrible Couch
by Michael J. Daley
Perfect for very beginning readers who don’t want to read nonsensical phonics books. Pinch and Dash has charming characters, a silly problem, and a perfect ending.

beginning reader books
Odd Duck
by Cecil Castellucci & Sara Varon
A comic-style book with beautiful illustrations that accompany the story of friendship. Theodora loves er normal, orderly duck life. When the strange bird, Chad, moves in next door, she’s determined to show him how to be more normal. A lovely book about learning to accept others for who they are.


beginning reader books
Claude in the City
by Alex T. Smith
Another great easy reader with an interesting story and adorable main character – Claude, a beret-wearing, adventurous dog, with a best friend Sir Bobblysock. (Who is a sock.) Claude goes shopping, goes the museum, and even takes Sir Bobblysock to the hospital when he’s feeling ill. All without his owners realizing. Very cute book.

Beginning Reader Chapter Books

Beginning Reader Chapter Books
Amy and the Missing Puppy (Critter Club)
by Callie Barkley
This series about animal-loving girl friends gives growing readers an entertaining chapter book they can read by themselves.

Beginning Reader Chapter Books
Zeke Meeks vs the Stinkin’ Science Fair
by D.L. Green
Zeke Meeks books are some of my newest favorite chapter books for boys. I haven’t read this book yet but imagine it’s just as funny as the others in the series.

Beginning Reader Chapter Books
A Whale of a Tale (Mermaid Tales)
by Debbie Dadey
A fun new series about a third-grade mermaids at Trident Academy. My second grader loves these books and it’s a nice change from the Magic Rainbow books!

Beginning Reader Chapter Books
Lights, Camera, Girl Power! (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Lego Friends)
My 2nd grader loved this story – it’s perfect for any LEGO Friends fan ready for chapter books.

Beginning Reader Chapter Books
Get to Work, Hercules! (Myth-O-Mania)
by Kate McMullan
This book got us hooked on the Myth-O-Mania series. It’s so hilarious! Hades narrates the TRUE stories of the Greek Myths with panache. (Apparently, his younger brother Zeus is a big fat liar and edited all the myths to make himself look good.) In this story, Hades watches over his young, not-too-smart nephew, Hercules whom Hera has it out for — since he’s the son of Zeus from another woman. LOVE it!


Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #2: Amelia Bedelia Unleashed
by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril
I’ve been enjoying these updated Amelia chapter books by the original author’s son. In this story, Amelia searches for the perfect puppy.

Beginning Reader Chapter Books
Swamp Thing vs the Zombie Pets
by John Sazaklis, illustrated by Art Baltazar
Batman needs help from Swamp Thing and his Down Home Critter Gang of animals with a fire at the Great Dismal Swamp. Everyone leaves except Ace, who stays to protect the Down Home Critter Gang’s swamp. But it’s not long before the Zombie Pets show up. You’ll like the colorful, playful font styles and the adventurous story!

Beginning Reader Chapter Books
Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Secret Admirer
by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Another enjoyable book in the Nancy Clancy series. In this book, Nancy and her best friend, Bree, decide to play matchmaker for Nancy’s babysitter, Annie, and her guitar teacher, Andy. Funny and fun!

. . .

It’s mid-May so stock up with books your child can read starting in June. Coming up next, I’ll give you book ideas for middle grade (9+), then learning apps, and independent learning adventures. Stay tuned!

ALSO READ:
The best books for 5 and 6 year olds

Beginning Reader Chapter Books

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4 Comments

  1. Have you read all of these? The Critter Club book looks interesting, but when I looked at it on Amazon, I don’t feel that the content is appropriate for K-2. I have a rising 1st grader who reads on a 3rd grade level so I have my own personal set of problems, but kids in the target age range of this book don’t need to be playing MASH and talking about boys. I am tired of Rainbow Magic books, but would much rather encourage Magic Treehouse, Ramona, Roald Dahl and Harriet the Spy over a book like this.

    1. Yes, I’ve read Critter Club and it’s very simple and appropriate — no boys in sight. The themes are friendship and caring for animals along with problem solving. The books you mentioned are all amazing so go with those if you can! This is a new series ,good for reading practice and entertainment.

      1. My daughter (8 yrs. old) and I just read the Critter Club book. She picked it out from the bookstore, we started it together, and she finished it on her own. She loves animals, and this book was sweet and appropriate ~ a perfect way to get our summer reading off to a great start!