Early Chapter Books to Entice Young Readers

When new readers transfer from pictures on every page to fewer pictures and more story content, it’s extremely important to have storylines that hold the attention of the reader. It’s vital to help children form the storylines in their minds. This happens with great new chapter books. The age of this category is usually between seven and nine.

Simon and Schuster Publishers has a great series titled Quix Fast Fun Reads. The newest series, School for Magical Monsters by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams and delightfully illustrated digitally in black and white by Toby Allen, is an exciting storyline featuring mythical creatures based on Greek Mythology. This first book is Rise of Pegasus. Other series under this same Quix title are: Mini Mermaid Tales by Debbie Dadey and illustrated by Fuji Takashi, The Giants’ Visitor by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, Addy McBean: Numbers Queen Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Stacy Curtis and Harvey Hammer by Davey Ocean and illustrated by Aaron Blecha.

Candlewick Publishers has some new series that kids will certainly enjoy. Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo and beautifully illustrated in color using gouache, colored pencil and graphite pencil by Carmen Mok, is the first book about a lonely little rat who ends up helping a trusty owl caught in a trap. Hocus and Pocus by A.R. Capetta and colorfully illustrated by Charlene Chua; Bear and Bird by Jarvis, Bunny and Clyde by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Scott Nash; Ava Lin by Vicky Fang; Billy & Rose by Amy Hest and colorfully illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton; Mercy Watson is Missing by Kate DiCamillo and colorfully illustrated by Christ Van Dusen and The Puppets of Spellhorst by Kate diCamillo and illustrated by Julie Morstad are other new series kids will read again and again.

Kane/Miller Publishing has a new series that is rich in color and adventure. Adventure Mice, by Philip Reeve and colorfully illustrated by Sarah McIntyre, has four books published so far. The newest books are Otter Chaos and Mermouse Mystery.

HarperCollins Publishing has a most popular series that kids love because of the humor found throughout. No More School, April Fools!, Mrs. Marge is in Charge!, Miss Nichol is on a Pickle, Miss Daisy is Crazy and There’s a Skunk in My Bunk! are all by Dan Gutman  as well as the hilarious illustrations, by Jim Paillot, that go perfectly with the stories.

Chronicle Publishing has some outstanding new series kids will desire to read. Henry and the Something New, by Jenn Bailey and illustrated using watercolor and ink by Mika Song, is book two featuring Henry who is full of curiosity but also hesitant and possibly on the autism spectrum. Stella & Marigold, by Annie Barrows and colorfully illustrated by Sophie Blackall and The Story of Gumluck The Wizard, by Adam Rex, are other great new series.

Scholastic Publishing has a popular series, Branches, that kids thoroughly enjoy.  Disaster Squad, by Rekha S. Raja and illustrated by Courtney Lovett, is the newest in this series. The Party Diaries, by Matali Banerjee Ruth’s and illustrated by Qliya Jaleela and Kwame’s Magic Quest, by Bernard Mensah and illustrated by Natasha Nayo are other new Branches series. One of the most popular Branches through the years is Dragon Masters, by Tracey West and amazingly illustrated by Graham Howells. The newest edition is Cave of the Crystal Dragon which is #26 in this series.

Catwings, by Ursula K. Le Guin and colorfully illustrated using pen and wash by S. D. Schindler, is series that has recently been reissued due to the popularity with kids. It was originally published in 1988 and it’s about little kittens who have wings and can fly. The adventures are thrilling and help early chapter readers begin using their imagination. The publisher is Simon and Schuster.

Nate The Great, is another classic series that was first published in 1972 and is a great introduction to mysteries. The most recent book is Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot, by Andrew Sharmat and colorfully illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov. This series is published by Delacorte Press.

We can’t forget one of the most successful early chapter books that has lasted over time: Magic Tree House, by Mary Pop Osborne. This series has lasted throughout time with children desiring to read from this series over and again. It was first published in 1992, and Random House is the publisher.

It’s always a good idea to introduce your new chapter readers to nonfiction. She Persisted: Simone Biles, by Keyla Magoon and illustrated by Gillian Flint, is an inspiration to learn about how this tremendous gymnast had much to overcome to achieve gold medals at the Olympics. Philomel is the publisher.

Here are some fun easy graphic books: Scholastic has a new series called Acorn.  They also have a wonderful series called Bad Guys. There is a new offshoot from this series called Cat on the Run. Union Square Kids Publishes has a new set called Schnozzer & Tatertoes and also Lost & Found.

Learning to Read with New Readers

Learning to read is one of the greatest accomplishments in schooling and is foundational for education. The books I am reviewing are for the newest readers. These books are brightly illustrated, have few words and have subject matters that interest children. These books are best for ages four through six. Be sure to begin with the easiest level first.

I’ll begin with the Ready To Read series from Simon & Schuster.

• The stories are engaging and beginning with Pre-Level One. Here are my favorite newest books in this level: Nat the Cat Has a Snack by Jarrett Lerner, Critter-Cam: Monkey Cam by Margie Palatini, Monster OG, by Ame Dyckman, Zoom! Zoom! By Lola M. Schaefer, The Dog and Pony Show by Jeff Mack and The Adventures of Otto by David Milgrim. (Otto is a robot.) The books about Otto are part of a series.
• Three books in level one that are exceptional are: King of the Mountain by Susie Lee Jin, and Go! Go! Dino! By Kaz Windness. Bat, Cat & Rat is a beautifully new illustrated series by Mark Teague.

Scholastic has a wonderful series:

• BOB Books. These books include Phonics for Early Readers, Sight Readers and First Stories. The Phonics and Sight Readers are boxed sets with ten little books in each and are very effective in learning to read!

Kane Miller publishes the series:

• School of Monsters, by Sally Rippin. This is a fun series that youngsters enjoy reading. The stories are brightly illustrated, and the stories will hold the attention of new readers. Rippin’s newest books in this delightful series is Jack’s Many Moods and Dom’s Special Things.

Disney/Hyperion publishes a new series that kids will love to read again and again:

• Duck and Moose, by Kirk Reedstrom, are completely different from each other which helps present some fun adventures which includes Duck Moves In and Moose Blasts Off!

Toon Into Reading is an imprint from Astra Publishing and has the appearance of graphic books.

• This is a good motivation because the pictures are very bright and help move the story along. They also teach different concepts such as geography and science. Some of my favorite books in this series includes Shapes and Shapes by Ivan Brunetti, Caterpillars: What Will I Be When I Get to be Me?, by Kevin McCloskey, and A Trip to the Top of the Volcano with Mouse by Frank Viva.
• Hippo Park, another imprint of Astra Publishing, has a new series called One Cool Duck by Mike Petrik. This delightful series has a graphic display of bright, vibrant pictures that shows kindness and helping out. There are currently three books in this series: King of Cool, The Far-Out Fort and Summer Games. Graphic books help move new riders into becoming more independent. The picture-paneling and the interesting subject matter supports txt comprehension.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publishing has a new series with the first book, Pencil & Eraser:

• We Have a Dull-Emma! This planned series, by Jenny Alvarado, has Pencil as the adventurer and Eraser who is very cautious. This make makes for a perfect set up for many humorous situations. The next book set to be published early next year is Lost and Frown.

Chronicle Publishing has an interesting take on early readers:

• Sometimes some of the best new readers can come from a picture book that is not intended as an early reader. Go-Go Guys, by Rowboat Watkins, fits in this category. This comedic book is about three siblings, the Go-Go Guys, who don’t want to sleep and say they never sleep. Their brains are always on alert as they end up visiting the moon. The text repeats, rhymes and seems to explode off the page. And the open page illustrations will be visited over and over.