Also, I have changed the format of the blog a bit, experimenting with ways to make it more reader friendly. Let me know what you think, and don't forget to "like" One Great Book on Facebook to get weekly updates on new posts! Next week I will be featuring great Holiday gift books. Enjoy!
Title: Lulu and the Brontosaurus
Author: Judith Viorst
Target: K-2
What this book is about:
Lulu is a spoiled girl who wants a brontosaurus for her birthday. When her parents refuse, she goes out to get one for herself. Her confidence is shaken when the brontosaurus decides, that in fact, Lulu would make a great pet for him!
Why I love it:
This is such a fun early chapter book and also a great read aloud. The illustrations from Lane Smith are some of my favorites. The author makes this story even more fun, when she inserts her opinions into the book, (“Okay, so snakes don’t talk. But in my story, they do”) She also provides three different endings as she works to get the story right, much to the delight of my daughter!
Who it is for:
Kids just starting chapter books. Short chapters and fun illustrations.
Final thoughts:
We checked this book out of the library, and my daughter would not return it until I promised to buy a copy for the house! A truly fun story line and reader interaction which keeps a kid wanting more!
Title: Horrid Henry
Author: Francesca Simon
Target: Grades 1-3
What this book is about:
Horrid Henry is just that - horrid! Well, I guess naughty is a better word. His mischief is laugh out loud funny as he tries to trick the tooth fairy, make up books for the school reading competition, and handle the discovery that he is wearing girls underpants (by accident) at school! Of course he usually get his comeuppance in a very humorous way.
Why I love it:
This is a fun, silly, entertaining book about a young boy who tries to get away with everything! It is not an award winning series with well developed characters (besides Henry that is) but it is an engaging read. While Henry usually thinks he is victorious, in the end he almost always gets more than he bargained for.
Who this book is for:
Early chapter book readers. Each book in the series has four independant stories, and just enough illustrations. I used this series very succesfully with my reluctant boy reader, who immediately loved the silly humor!
Final thoughts:
Henry has a talent for trouble and he is not afraid to use it!
Title: Dessert First
Author: Hallie Durand
Target: Grades 2-4
What this book is about:
Our main character, aptly named Dessert, is a third grader who is learning from her teacher to march to the beat of her own drummer. However, when she can’t resist the double-decker fudge bars in the refrigerator and eats them all, she must find a way to make it up to her family, and assuage her own guilt.
Why I love it:
With a Teacher named Mrs. Howdy Doody who organizes the Doody Drive, how can you not giggle! Dessert is not a perfect child and she wrestles with temptation and obligations, but her feelings are true to an eight year old! The character development is not as strong as some other books, but I liked Dessert and for the early chapter book reader she is a fun spunky character.
Who is this for:
Proficient readers who are moving into chapter books. There are plenty of illustrations, but not on every page.
Final Thoughts:
Dessert first, well I don’t mind if I do!
Title: Ottoline and the Yellow Cat
Author: Chris Riddell
Target: Grades 2-4
What this book is about:
Ottoline Brown lives with her best friend Mr. Munroe (a relative of Cousin It) in a lovely apartment filled with interesting collections, while her parents travel the world. She happens into a mystery of cat burglaries (done by a cat no less) and lost lap dogs which she and Mr. Munroe work to solve with a clever plan!
Why I love it:
I can’t decide if this is a picture book with text or chapter book with lots of pictures! The pictures, in the case of this book, are intrigal to the story and serve to enhance the telling. And the illustrations are gorgeous and full of details! There is also a wonderful dry humor to this book, which will not go over the reader’s head. I was amazed that in a book so full of pictures that the characters were so well developed. Had to include a sample to show you!
Who is this for:
This is were I am struggling. The fact that some of the captions are in script and that the illustrations must also be “read” make it a little too difficult for a second grader. However, I can see second grade enjoying the book. I would recommend it for reading aloud or with a second grader, and independent reads for third thru fourth grades.
Final thoughts:
If I toss in Eloise with a little Hugo Cabret, we have the beginnings of Ottoline, but I can safely say it doesn’t feel like any of the series for this age group (Judi Moody, Clementine) I just love the innovative storytelling, with the opportunity in the illustrations to find hidden treasurers on each page.
Title: Ivy and Bean
Author: Annie Barrows
Target: Grades 1-3
I have included this series (despite the fact that many of you already know it,) because as an early chapter book these are simply outstanding!
Why I love it:
I love these two characters! Ivy is quiet, extremely intelligent and shy, while Bean is a tomboy and full of vim and vigor. It is fun to see how these two unlikely personalities become best friends! They stay true to their personalities throughout the book and the black and white illustrations dispersed through the chapters make this book less intimidating for girls just starting chapter books. To be frank, the illustrations in these books are just downright charming!!
These stories are very well developed for early chapter books so the reader really gets drawn into the story. One of my favorites “and the ghost that had to go” find Ivy and Bean trying to dispel a ghost from the girl’s bathroom at their school. There are lovely subtleties to the story, is the ghost really there, or is Ivy trying to distract the others from her own flaws? But these only add dimension to the story which helps make it a book that goes beyond some of the simpler books at this level.
Final thoughts:
A lovely series to get girls into chapter books, that parents can also read and enjoy!
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