Esme's Favorite Books (continued)

Heckedy Peg by Audrey and Don Wood (Voyager Books, 1992) In this introduction to the dark, moody, dreamlike world of fairy tales, a loving mother rescues seven children named for the days of the week from the clutches of a truly wicked witch. 

Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi (Candlewick, 1995) More interested in books than timber-shivering or plank-walking, Henry is the laughingstock of the swarthy pirate crew. But when no one heeds his red-sky-at-morning warning and the ship is lost, it is Henry's book-smarts that save the day. This book demonstrates that readers are leaders!

Other Authors: Bernard Waber, William Steig, Aliki, David Weisner, James Marshall

Second Grade

Hint: A mix of picture books and short chapter books will help keep your new reader feeling confident!

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Mary Azarian (Houghton Mifflin, 1998) One man uses his dream of photographing snowflakes to create a gift for the world.  This picture book biography is rich with discussion points, and is a pleasure to share across the grade levels.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2004) A hilarious Zen guide to elementary education in the schoolhouse that was built thirty stories high.

Rickshaw Girl by Matali Perkins (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2007) When Naima tries to maneuver her father's beautiful, newly-painted rickshaw, it appears she has brought rack and ruin to her family, possibly even causing her mother to sell a cherished bangle that has been passed down through generations. Dressed as a boy, she tries to create a new solution that will prevent further hardship. A wonderful example of modern multicultural children’s literature.

The Empty Pot by Demi (Henry Holt and Co., 2007) An emperor announces a gardening contest to find his successor, but fraudulent foliage among the competitors is sprouting like weeds. The king has a trick up his sleeve to find the worthy winner.  This parable brings home the importance of honesty without being preachy.  Did you know this illustrator has been known to use a mouse’s whisker to paint these lovely, jeweled pictures?

Poop by Nicola Davies (Candlewick Press, 2007) Every page flows over with absolutely fascinating fecal facts, from the double-dose of digesting power that pellets afford to rabbits or the tell-tale dumps of sloths, otters and hippos that speak (or stink) louder than words. Overall, a remarkably engaging and informative science book that rises far above its genre's foul beginnings, and will make a novice scientist out of your favorite fart-joke-teller (you know you have one).  I love this book so much, I keep a copy in my own bathroom.

Other Authors:  Jack Prelutsky, John Sciezka, Chris Van Allsburg, Ruth Stiles Gannett, Suzy Klin

Third Grade

Hint: Don’t fear series books!  Most lifelong readers have these on their reading menu as children.

Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary (Harpercollins, 1992) Ramona tries to be good, but the prospect of pulling Susan’s boing-boing curls proves a little too hard to resist.  Introduce kids to the series star Ramona, and you’ll be introducing them to a friend for life! (Readers who want a more contemporary protagonist will fall in love with Clementine by Sara Pennypacker).

Frindle by Andrew Clements (Aladdin, 1998)A boy invents a new word and makes an adversary of his dictionary-devout teacher.  Could it be that teachers are real people, too?  This author is a master of stories set at school, with conflicts that kids will readily recognize.