Best Beginning Chapter Books Books – Winter 2012
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Once kids take off in reading, they’re dying to read (beginning) chapter books. The best part about a beginning chapter book is that your kids are reading, and feel successful. The stories are cute and are accompanied by plenty of illustrations to support the reader. Here are some of my recently published favorites.
Kylie Jean
chapter book series
Written by Marci Peschke and Illustrated by Tuesday Mourning
These are JJ’s favorite books and what’s not to love? They’re pink books – with a main character that loves pink and the illustrations are in black and PINK. Plus, the stories are perfect for girls — Kylie Jean experiences things like getting the part in the ballet, or being the rodeo queen, things that readers can relate to and would want themselves.
The Legend of Diamond Lil: A J.J. Tully Mystery (J. J. Tully Mysteries)
written by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
J.J., a search-and-rescue dog, doesn’t like that his charges, a chicken and her chicks, want to spend time with the neighbor’s new dog, Diamond Lil. But, soon J.J. starts to like Diamond Lil just as much as the chicks. Then, when a possum tries to steal the chicks, it seems that Diamond Lil is involved. Is everything as it seems?
written and illustrated by Atinuke
Anna Hibiscus lives in amazing Africa but in this story, she goes by herself to visit her Granny Canada in Canada where it’s snowy and cold. Anna gets to wear warm clothes and eat new foods. She even gets comfortable with Granny Canada’s dog and makes new friends. This is a delightful story of a sweet girl on an exciting new adventure.
written by Sally Warner, illustrated by Jamie Harper
I bet a lot of kids will relate to this story about Ellray and his little sister. Little sister overfeeds Ellray’s class fish and kills it. Ellray takes the blame to protect his sister, after all family is family, and gets to help find a new class pet.
The Seals That Wouldn’t Swim, Field Trip Mysteries
written by Steve Brezenoff, illustrated by Marcos Calo
The Field Trip Mysteries beginning chapter books are the field trips of Cat and her classmates. In this particular adventure, they are at the aquarium to see a seal show. But the seal show is cancelled and the kids discover that two of the seals have been drugged. It’s up to them to discover the person behind it.
written by Diana Wynne Jones, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Earwig is a spunky young orphaned witch who loves her life and does not want to be adopted. But she is. By a strange couple. Earwig discovers that the woman is a witch and the man is a much worse . . . and she is made a servant, not a daughter. Don’t worry, Earwig isn’t about to suffer in silence. With the help of a talking cat, she schemes to learn about magic, even getting the witch to teach her. Quirky and entertaining!
Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell
written by Wanda Coven, illustrated by Priscilla Burris
Eight-year old Heidi Hecklebeck is a witch pretending to be a normal girl. She’s supposed to keep her magic a secret from others. It’s just so hard when Melanie Maplethorpe ruins Heidi’s part in the play. Heidi just can’t resist casting a spell to make Melanie forget her lines. Of course, Heidi won’t feel better about ruining the play, and learns a valuable lesson. (Beginning chapter book series.)
Missing! A Cat Called Buster (Rainbow Street Shelter)
written and illustrated by Wendy Orr
Josh always sees the orange cat, Buster, sitting on the porch with his owner, Mr. Larsen. When Mr. Larsen is taken to the hospital, Buster runs away from home. Josh and his family search for Buster everywhere. Will he end up at the Rainbow Street Animal Shelter? And who will he live with now? A sweet beginning chapter book about animal love and family closeness.
Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth
written by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Fans of Fancy Nancy are growing up, and so is Nancy. Nancy and her best friend, Bree, star in this early chapter book with Preiss-Glasser’s beautiful illustrations. AJ liked the story and read it in under an hour. (A beginning chapter book series.)
Zeke Meeks vs the Putrid Puppet Pals
written by D.L. Green
Zeke Meeks is a funny beginning chapter book with lots of entertaining illustrations. Third-grader, Zeke, is annoyed with his classmates who all jump on the latest marketing craze – Puppet Pals – and won’t play basketball with him anymore. Eventually, Zeke is tired of playing by himself so he gets his own Puppet Pals. The story is entertaining and brings to light commercialism and peer pressure.
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I just started reading chapter books aloud to my 3.5 year old. I wasn’t sure if he’d be into it, since there are hardly any pictures. We started with Roald Dahl’s ‘the BFG’, and he was enthralled! I’ll have to browse this list for our second book.
These are great suggestions!
Also excited about Kylie Jean. Thanks for the recommendations!
Excited about Kylie Jean!
Beginning chapter books are important and not easy to write well. Thanks for the recommendations!