Reading for Young Children that are Advanced...books that work and those that don't...

Throughout my years of teaching, I have been presented with the dilemma of a child who read far above his grade level but ran out of reading material.  What good books could he read? He was a first grader reading at a sixth grade level and most books for that age group scared him.  I was given the challenge to find books that would A) hold his attention, B) Give him at least a day's worth of reading (300 pages), and C) that didn't involve too much mystery/death/weapons/scary instances.  What was I to do?  I did lots of research, read lots of books and decided that the best thing to do for all you other parents with this dilemma, was to publish a list here so there would be some resources available for this situation.  I hope to reach all readers and this includes children reading above their age group.  It is my opinion that more books need to be written with this specific situation in mind.  Here is a list I've complied of some of the winners...

1. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
2. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
3. Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith
4.The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
5.Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
6. Encyclopedia Brown books
7. The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
8. Magic School Bus series
9. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
10. Flat Stanley series by Jeff Brown
11. Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume
12. Ramona books by Beverly Cleary
13. Knots in my Yo Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid by Jerry Spinelli

I am sure there are many more.  Here is just a sampling of some of the books that have held his attention and given him a chance to advance his vocabulary and learning.  When a longer list is compiled, I will blog it as well :)  As always, Happy Reading!

NAEYC books and reviews

Being in early childhood, it is very important to keep up with current ideas.  NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) is a great resource.  Every month they include a book review on their website.  In lieu of a review from me, I've included a link to their site so you can check out educational and fun books that they recommend.  Enjoy :)

http://www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/201203/Reading%20Chair_v67n2_0312.pdf

Stacia Kane: A review and recommendation

Just finished Stacia Kane's first novel in the Downside Ghosts series of hopefully 9 books (via Skype she mentioned she hopes to do nine but is only on four).  The book, Unholy Ghosts, was a big surprise to me.  It took a little while for me to get into it, I think because the nuances were so subtle and the book has lots of comparison to today's world.  Religion is the biggest!  It was a little difficult for me to read at first as well because the whole story seemed too real.  The characters are flawed, there are complex issues, and everyone has their own agenda.  But after the second chapter, I was hooked!  The story takes place in the time after the world discovers that there is no God and that we all go to one place after death.  The story's main character is so real and flawed that it was difficult to NOT relate to some aspect of her life.  She is a member of the Church, the only real religion left that focuses on the truth.  She is trained to send real ghosts to the underworld aka the City and to weed out the ghosts that aren't real.  There is a very subtle love story that develops over this series.  The basis is mostly action, drugs, and lots of death.  I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone younger then 18.  But I definitely think all my adult friends and college students should read it!  I have already started on the second book and with all the plot twists and personal things I'm learning about the characters, I am being pulled deeper and deeper into a very "addicting" series!  My book club did the first book as a selection and we all intend to reconnect to discuss the next books outside of bookclub :)  Happy Reading!

Spring Books Just purchased: A review

The Very Lazy Ladybug By Isobel Finn
This very lazy ladybug doesn't know how to fly but wants to sleep somewhere else.  She hops onto several other animals trying to find the perfect spot, but in the end finds out she has to learn how to fly to be truly happy.  This is a very cute book that introduces different animals and their habits to young children.  Using animal noises and motions to enhance the story will really keep the children's attention and make this a good go-to book when the children are feeling restless.  Also, it is short enough to fit in as a moving, transitional story :)

Gus Grows a Plant by Frank Remkiewicz
Gus is a little Rhino that with very simple text grows a plant and sees how he grows just like the plant.  This is a great starter story for young children on a plant or garden grows.  With very few words, children learn that in order to plant, you need to dig a hole, bury a seed, water it, give it lots of sun, more water, and it will grow.  I will definitely read this book to my young children soon since spring has now sprung here :)

Little Bea by Daniel Roode
The sun wakes little Bea at the beginning of this bee's day and so we are taken through a day in the life of little Bea.  Along the way we meet her friends and learn about sharing, kindness, and being a good friend.  The text is short and simple and a fast read.  Sound effects for the bee will enhance the reading.  Definitely a cute spring read :)

The Crunching Munching Caterpillar by Sheridan Cain
This is a cute book about the transition from caterpillar to butterfly.  Caterpillar eats and laments with his friends about how he would love to fly but all his winged friends point out that legs are meant for walking and he's too heavy to fly.  Once in his cocoon, caterpillar dreams about having wings, and being light enough to fly.  When he emerges, he's a young butterfly.  This is a very simple book that will explain to young children just how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly but without long words.  I would pair the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle with this book to help the children have both perspectives. I like both for spring stories to help explain the butterflies we see :)

Happy Reading :)

A review of Holiday Books I just bought

St Patrick's Day by Gail Gibbons
I was looking for a book that was more than just a tale of leprechauns and this is a great one.  It explains in simplistic terms and colorful pictures the meaning behind St Patrick's Day and some of the traditions that also are used that day by people.  I will definitely read this to my infants and toddlers next year as it is short, colorful, and will be a great addition to their vocabulary :)

Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson
Jack is a little mouse who goes to visit his family in Ireland.  He learns about some of the traditions that are done on St Patrick's Day and also is on the search for Liam the Leprechaun. But will he catch the leprechaun?  This is another great book for simplistic text that explains the general premise behind St Patrick's Day and is also a story to add to the entertainment.  Great pick for a toddler up through first grade read :)

Just A Little Luck by Mercer Mayer
I love all of Mercer Mayer's books, not so much for educational value but for the values they teach!  I haven't found one that I wasn't happy with and this didn't disappoint! Although it has nothing to do with the actual holiday St Patrick's Day, it is all about how people can be unlucky and then lucky and how not even a penny can determine which way the world will be.  Little Critter finds a penny, it doesn't bring him luck, he gets rid of it and still has bad luck and good luck.  This a great example of how the world works.  Nothing can or will determine good luck or bad luck.  Things just happen :)

I also just got some Easter books which I will review in a few days! Happy Reading :) 

Ways to encourage a love of reading and books to help facilitate that!

@Headstartgov has a link (listed below) on 10 ways to help encourage a love of reading.  It is my opinion that a good book does that well enough itself but their ideas are ways to enhance that.  So, I'm providing a list of books that should be included in every infants library before they even can read.  Research says that a child who enters school with more than 75 books will be on average a grade and a half higher in reading.  I have also read that having 20 books per every year of your child will help your child read at at least their grade level in reading success.  My list is relatively short though I have taught many young children and added books every year. For a more complete list, please email me.  Most are board books and thus are meant for the child to hold, chew on, and explore.  I maintain that all the books listed have high educational quality as well as entertainment value :)  Enjoy and as always feel free to disagree/comment!

List for Infants
1. Goodnight Moon by Margeret Wise Brown
2. Trucks by Byron Barton
3. Jamberry by Bruce Degan
4. The Going to Bed book by Sandra Boynton
5. Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
6. Hands are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
7. Feet are Not for Kicking by Elizabeth Verdick 
8. Emergency and other Carry-Me books by Make Believe Ideas ltd.
9.  The Little Mouse, the Red, Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Woods
10. Baby Einstein: Windows to Color by Julie Aigner-Clark
11. Shades of Black: A Celebration of our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney
12. Petting Farm by Little Scholastic (www.littlescholastic.com)
13. Baby Einstein: Mama and Me by Julie Aigner-Clark
14. Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by Sandra Boynton
15. In the Garden with Van Gogh by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
16. Global Babies 
17. Eating the Rainbow by Rena D Grossman
18. Please and Thank You by Jill Ackerman
19. A Picnic with Monet by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
20. My First Signs by Michelle Anthony and Renya Lindert
21. The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
22. Uh-Oh! I'm Sorry by Jill Ackerman
23. Watch Me Hop! by Rebecca Young
24. Gallop! by Rufus Butler Seder 
25. Hugs and Kisses by Roberta Grobel Intrater
26. Hello Madagascar by Christopher Corr
27. Baby Einstein: Poems for Little Ones by Julie Aigner-Clark
28. Brainy Baby Shapes and Colors or Animals by Edith Reynolds

 Link to 10 tips to encourage reading in your child:
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/family/For%20Parents/Everyday%20Parenting/Parents%20as%20Teachers/2TipsforParents.htm

50 books to read before kindergarten...my interpretation

Education.com is an excellent website.  I have no qualms about recommending them for all your educational needs.  However, recently I was directed to a list they wrote about 50 books that kids should read before Kindergarten.  After reviewing the list, I decided it needed to be revised.  Not only was one of the books promoting smoking, but I found out the list was published in 2006.  I feel this list should be updated yearly.   So here for your viewing pleasure is the original list and my revised list.  Comments are always welcome :)
Old List
1. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
2. Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric Kimmel or Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott
3. Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
4. The Berenstain Bears series by Stan and Jan Berenstain
5. Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
6. The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
7. A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
8. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
9. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin
10. Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
11. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett
12. Curious George by H.A Rey
13. Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
14. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo Willems
15. Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
16. Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
17. Froggy Gets Dressed or Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
18. George and Martha by James Marshall
19. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
20. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
21. Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
22. How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen
23. I Stink! by Kate McMullen
24. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura J. Numeroff
25. Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
26. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
27. Leo, the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
28. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber
29. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
30. The Magic School Bus Series by Joanna Cole
31. Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh
32. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virgina Lee Burton
33. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
34. Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard and James Marshall
35. Mr Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
36. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
37. Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
38. Owen by Kevin Henkes
39. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
40. Pete's a Pizza by William Steig
41. Pierre: A Cautionary Tale by Maurice Sendak
42.Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault
43. Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky
44. Strega Nona by Tomie De Paola
45. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
46. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
47. Tough Boris by Mem Fox
48. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf by John Scieszka
49. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
50. Yoko by Rosemary Wells

New List

1. My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

2. Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert

3. The Feelings Book by Todd Parr

4. The Peace Book by Todd Parr

5. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

6. Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr. 

7. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault

8. The Berenstain Bears series by Stan and Jan Berenstain

9. Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

10. If You Give a...Series by Laura J. Numeroff

11. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett

12. The Magic School Bus Series by Joanna Cole

13. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

14. Not A Box by Antoinette Portis

15. Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

16. Five Little Monkeys series by Eileen Christelow

17. Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

18. It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr

19. The Mitten by Jan  Brett

20. L M N O Peas by Keith Baker

21. Say Hola to Spanish by Susan Middleton Elya

22. Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

23. Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

24. Sometimes I'm Bombaloo by Rachel Vail

25. The Earth Book by Todd Parr

26. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

27. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

28. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

29. Tuesday by David Wiesner

30. Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears retold by Verna Aardema

31. A Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

32. Swimmy by Leo Lionni

33.Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young

34.No Hitting! by Karen Katz

35. These are my Hands by Bill Martin Jr.

36. Little Quack's New Friend by Lauren Thompson

37. It's Mine! by Leo Lionni

38. ABC Animal Jamboree by Giles Andreae

39. Alphabet Under Construction by Denise Fleming

40. Listen and Learn and Be Polite and Listen both by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed

41. Read it, Don't Eat it! by Ian Schoenherr

42. The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

43. The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf

44. The Alphabet Tree by Leo Lionni

45. ABC of Jobs People Do by Roger Priddy

46. I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson

47. Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi

48. Seen Art? by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

49. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

50. Leo, the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus

I stand by my list, although I have a lot more that I feel should be included.  If you want a complete list, leave a comment and I will gladly email it to you :)  As always, I would love to discuss any disagreements with this list and or what should be added and taken out! Peace :)