Mice Twice by Joseph Low - 5 Stars

Cat is very hungry and what he wants for supper is a “nice, tender mouse”. So, he invites Mouse to have supper with him. Mouse asks Cat if she could bring a friend and he says yes, thinking he will get 2 mice for his supper. When Mouse arrives at Cat’s house, he finds out that she did not bring another mouse but instead it is Dog. Cat keeps inviting Mouse to dinner thinking that he will eventually be able to outfox her. At the last supper invitation Mouse brings a wasp which ends Cat’s dinner invitations. The book’s message is don’t plan bad acts; they will fail and make things worse for you. A great book to teach a valuable lesson.

 
Published In: 1981
Publisher: Atheneum
Age Level: 4-8 years                                          
AR Level: 2.7
Pages: 32
Awards: 1981 Caldecott Honor                   
Stars: 5
 

Knights of the Kitchen Table The Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka - 5 Stars

This series of books featuring the Time Warp Trio is about three Elementary School boys who time travel around the globe. It all starts when Joe, one of the Time Warp Trio gets a magical book for his birthday from his favorite uncle. The three friends soon find out that all they have to do is wish they could see a certain place and the green mist from the book transports them to that location and time period. The boys then must find the same book to get back home.  Along the way they encounter dangerous characters and have harrowing experiences. All my boys and grandkids loved these books. They are great for the beginner reader, they are funny, engaging and educational. 

Published In: 1987
Publisher: Viking Penguin
Age Level: 7-11 years                                        
AR Level: 3.8
Pages: 55
Series: 16 Books                                        
Stars: 5

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown - 5 Stars

 “The Runaway Bunny” is a classic children’s picture book. It was first published in 1942 and has been popular with children for over 85 years. Little Bunny tells his mother he is going to run away from home, and she says she will run after him. Bunny tells her if you run after me, I will turn into a fish, and his mother tells him I will become a fisherman and catch you. Bunny then tells her I will become a rock on a mountain, and she tells him I will become a rock climber and climb to where you are. Bunny has several other plans on how he can successfully runway, but his mother always has a way to catch up to him. In the end he decides it’s just easier to stay home with his mother and eat carrots. A beautiful book highlighting a mother’s love. 

Published In: 1942
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers Inc.
Age Level: 1-6 years                                                             
AR Level: 2.7
Pages: 48                                                   
Stars: 5

Marvin Redpost: Super Fast, Out of Control! by Louis Sachar - 5 Stars

Marvin has a new bike, and it scares him. It is bigger than his old bike, it has hand brakes and he has to shift gears. To make matters worse he has accepted a dare from his friends to ride his new bike down Suicide Hill. Suicide Hill has lots of curves, it is the scariest, and steepest hill in his neighborhood. Will Marvin be able to overcome his fear and make the ride down the hill? All Elementary School boys will enjoy Marvin Redpost books, and the updated illustrations have made them even more entertaining. 

Published In: 2000
Publisher: Random House
Age Level: 6-9 years                       
AR Level: 3.6
Pages: 79
Series: 8 Books                                          
Stars: 5

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback - 5 Stars

 Joseph’s overcoat is “old and worn”, so he makes a jacket out of it, then a vest and on and on it goes. By the end of the book, all he has left of his overcoat is a button, but he loses it and he has nothing. So, Joseph makes a book about the overcoat and the different forms it takes over the years. The moral of the story “you can always make something out of nothing”. My granddaughter laughed throughout the book, and she loved the bold and bright illustrations. 

Published In: 1999
Publisher: Viking
Age Level: 3-6 years                                                             
AR Level: 1.7
Pages: 33
Awards: 2000 Caldecott Medal                   
Stars: 5

The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths - 5 Stars

 “The 13-Story Treehouse” is so ridiculous that every chapter makes you belly-laugh. It has just the right kind of humor for 7–12-year-old boys. Andy and Terry live in the 13-story treehouse which has many cool rooms and gadgets. They are constantly experimenting or building something, flying cats, giant bananas, sea monsters or enormous gorillas. They also write funny books and are working under a deadline to get one completed. Will they get their next book written on time or will they have to save the world? All three of my grandsons enjoyed the antics of Andy and Terry. Not only is the story wacky but the illustration back up all the shenanigans.

 

Published In: 2013

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Age Level: 7-12 years                                                         

AR Level: 3.8

Pages: 239                                                 

Stars: 5

Series: 13 Books

It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach - 5 Stars

 

A “poor unfortunate man” lives in a one-room hut with his family, a wife, six kids and his mother. The hut is very crowded, there is a lot of fighting, crying and noise. The poor man has had enough, he goes to the Rabbi for advice.  The Rabbi tells him to slowly bring all his farm animals into the hut. Things just get worse. Finanly when he could stand it no longer, he goes back to the Rabbi who tells him to put all the animals back outside. Then all of sudden the poor man’s life did not seem so bad. The moral, be thankful for what you have, it could always be worse. The story has a very serious message, but the silly illustrations give the book much needed humor. I liked the book more than my 8-year-old granddaughter, but I thought the point of the story so important that the book gets a 5-star review.

Published In: 1976
Publisher: Farr, Straus, Giroux
Age Level: 3-8 years
AR Level: 3.7
Pages: 26                                                   
Stars: 5
Awards: 1978 Caldecott Honor

Swimmy by Leo Lionni - 5 Stars

 

Swimmy, a fish gets separated from his school. They are eaten by a larger fish but Swimmy is faster than all his friends and he gets away. He is now on his own and he starts to travel throughout the ocean. He discovers amazing sights such as, “sea anemones, who look like pink palm tress swaying in the wind”. He eventually finds another school of fish like him, and he wants to share the fantastic sights with them. The school is too scared to leave their hiding place, can Swimmy figure out a way for them to travel without being eaten by a bigger fish?

“Swimmy” is an older book than I thought, it was first published in 1963. It’s over sixty years old. This book is one that has stood up to the test of time. Both my 4-year-old and 8-year-old granddaughters loved the book. Rarely do they both like the same book so it’s a win, win for my family.

Published In: 1963
Publisher: Knopf
Age Level: 2-8 years
AR Level: 2.9
Pages: 28
Stars: 5
Awards: 1964 Caldecott Honor

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems - 5 Stars

Wilbur is different than all the other mole rats, he does not go about his day naked like his friends. He likes to wear clothes. All kinds of clothes fancy, funny and cool. The other mole rats do not understand his love of clothes. When the Grand-pah of the mole rats makes a proclamation will it be for or against clothes?

“Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed” is a classic children’s book. It is one of those books that needs to be in every child’s home library. There will be lots of giggles when read and the book has an important message, it’s ok to be different. A favorite of the grandkids.

Published In: 2009
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Age Level: 2-9 years
AR Level: 2.8
Pages: 536
Stars: 5

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang - 5 Stars

How can Jim the chimpanzee be in such a grumpy mood on such a beautiful day? He has a frown, he does not want to sing or swing, and he doesn’t want to laugh. All Jim’s friends are worried about him, but all kids know some days are just not that happy. With all Jim’s friends trying to cheer him up will it work? This classic picture book is a great way to get kids to open up about feeling sad. You do not have to feel happy all the time. This is one of my grumpy granddaughters favorite books.

Published In: 2018
Publisher: Random House
Age Level: 3-6 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages: 32                                                   
Stars: 5

Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic by Monica Carnesi - 5 Stars

 

“Little Lost Dog” is a heartwarming story that all children will fall in love with. The book starts out with children playing in the snow by the Vistula River, when they spot something in the water. It is a dog adrift on the ice. With the help of firefighters, they try to rescue the dog, but the river is too fast. The dog continues its journey down the river and out to the Baltic Sea. The dog spotted by a ship, will the sailors be able to save him? This is a true story that will become a favorite book with your preschooler.

Published In: 2012    
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen
Age Level: 3-7 years
AR Level: 1.5
Pages: 32                                                   
Stars: 5

 

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson - 5 Stars

 

Harold and his purple crayon leave his bedroom to go for a walk in the moonlight. Using his crayon and his imagination he visits a forest, he is frightened by a dragon, goes swimming in the ocean and has many other adventures. A great book to talk to your children about using their imagination. The book is over seventy years old, and it has aged well along with remaining relevant. A classic that belongs in every household.

Published In: 1955    
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 3.0
Pages: 60                                                   
Stars: 5

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin - 5 Stars

“Diary of a Worm” is a picture book full of giggles. It’s a favorite of all six of my grandkids. I can read it over and over and it will make me laugh every time. A school age worm writes in his diary and tells the reader about his everyday life, school, friends and home. Who knew that a worm’s life could be so funny. Get this book for your child’s home library.

Published In: 2003
Publisher: Joanna Cotler Books
Age Level: 3-7 years
AR Level: 2.8
Pages: 40
Stars: 5
Series: 4 Books

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon - 5 Stars

A bat called Stellaluna finds herself in a bird’s nest, with three baby birds in it after her mother is attacked by an owl. The Mama bird raises Stellaluna as one of her own, teaching her to fly, eat bugs, sleep at night and not to hang upside down. One day Stellaluna flies further than her adopted family and suddenly she is all alone. She falls asleep hanging by her thumbs when a group of bats find her, will her real mother be among the group? This is a great story of acceptance and welcoming those into your family even if they don’t look or act like you. A fantastic message for any child at any age.

Published In: 1993
Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Age Level: 2-8 years
AR Level: 3.5
Pages: 48
Stars: 5
 

Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks - 5 Stars

 

Sometimes an offer can be too good to be true. Al, a janitor and his dog Eddie find that out the hard way. Al and Eddie are struggling with money and Al with his job, in their one room on the West Side. When a bird appears at the window offering to take them to place with “No worries, no cares”. They accept the offer and are carried off to a wonderful island with waterfalls, rolling hills and all the food they can eat but soon they find out that it comes with a price. The story of Al and Eddie is a great way to teach children to appreciate what they have without being preachy.

Published In: 1986    
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 2.1
Pages: 32                                                   
Stars: 5
Awards: 1987 Caldecott Honor

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin - 5 Stars

 

Children’s picture books do not get any better than this story. The cows in the barn have found a way to communicate with Farmer Brown by using an old typewriter. They are cold at night and have asked Farmer Brown for electric blankets. After some negotiations they get the blankets and soon more farm animals are making requests, where will it end? A classic book that will make all preschoolers giggle.

Published In: 2000            
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc,   
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 2.3
Pages: 40                                                   
Stars: 5
Awards: 2001 Caldecott Honor

Children Make Terrible Pets By Peter Brown - 5 Stars

A very funny book about a bear the adopts a boy as a pet. What could go wrong? All six of my grandchildren have loved reading this story. The book is another Peter Brown book that belongs on all children’s bookshelves.

Published In: 2010            
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.                                  
Age Level: 3-7 years
AR Level: 1.8
Pages: 40                                                   
Stars: 5

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Simon is a seventh grader whose family has moved to Grin and Bear It, Nebraska. They came from Omaha where Simon was the only survivor of a school shooting. His new hometown not only has a quirky name but it’s a “National Quiet Zone”, with not internet or cell phones. As Simon settles into his new life nobody in town knows about his past. He is making friends, has less anxiety and he is back in the classroom. When one of his friends finds out about his past, how will the town and Simon react?

School gun violence is a scary and disturbing topic for today’s school children. The book addresses the subject with seriousness but it’s not heavy handed. The delightful humor in the novel keeps the reader laughing despite Simon’s struggles with PTSD. A great book for any middle schooler.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2023	Profanity: No
Publisher: Disney Hyperion	Violence: Yes
Age Level: 10-14 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 5.2	Mature Themes: School Shooting
Pages: 320
Stars: 5 Awards: 2024 Newbery Honor

Big by Vashti Harrison 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Everyone has feelings and sometimes words can be very hurtful. One girl finds this out when other children start to make fun of her because of her size. When she is criticized by both adults and children her fragile self-esteem is damaged. The book teaches readers to be mindful when talking to others. A child’s self-confidence can be shattered with just a few words. The book has a wonderful message for all children.

Published In: 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co,
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 1.7
Pages: 60
Stars: 5
Awards: 2024 Caldecott Medal

Locomotive by Brain Floca 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

If your child likes trains this is the book for them. A family is moving out West, the year is 1869, the transcontinental railroad has just been completed, and they will be traveling by train. The book gives insight into the passenger experience through the eyes of a young boy traveling with his mother and sister. It describes all the sights along the way as well as what it is like living on the train over the course of the multi-day trip. Details are given about the mechanics of the train and what it takes to keep it moving. The jobs of the men working on the great machine are told simply and accurately. Younger children will find the story about the family moving out West fascinating. Older children will appreciate the history of building the train and the details of how a steam engine works.

Published In: 2013
Publisher: Atheneum
Age Level: 2-8 years
AR Level: 4.7
Pages: 60
Stars: 5
Awards: 2014 Caldecott Medal