10 for 10 Picture Books

Thanks to Cathy and Mandy for organizing this great event: 10 for 10 Picture Books!!!! I know I will be filling up my amazon basket all day as I read lots of posts about so many great books. I am afraid I may be sharing titles that aren't all true picture books but I think the titles still work for young readers.

One of the goals I set for myself this summer when thinking about my classroom library was to organize the books for my students who come into first grade as readers. You know those kiddos who can decode quite easily and read fluently who are just ready to begin seeing they can choose and think about books on their own.  I have noticed that these kiddos often jump to Junie B Jones, Magic Tree House or the Rainbow Magic Fairy series.  I know that introducing them to some shorter texts with fewer characters will allow them to have some deeper conversation and richer opportunities for comprehension.  It is my hope that introducing them to the pre-chapter books or early readers will scaffold them those longer texts that may have more character interaction or multiple setting changes.  There are classic  early chapter type titles that I have in my classroom like Mouse Soup, Frog and Toad or Danny the Dinosaur.  While these are loved, I am always trying to find new classic titles and series that will appeal to them. So if you know of some that may spark the interest of a young reader, please add to the comments:)
So my 10 for 10 will feature 10 early chapter books that all happen to be series books too:)

 I picked this series up this summer at Joseph Beth with Franki. I liked it right away and was not familiar with Boris. He is an adventurous warthog who encounters the unexpected. There are two others in this series: Boris Gets a Lizard,  Boris For the Win and Boris Sees the Light.  I am hoping these appeal to the boys.

               
                  I bought the little stuffed Penny for my classroom last year because so many girls adore her.  Penny is a little mouse who learns, patience, decision making and how find her voice. Other Penny books include Penny and Her Doll and My favorite: Penny and Her Marble.


Fly Guy is one of the most loved series for all the kids in first grade. I love how Buzz and Fly Guy take on the aquarium and learn together!  This book is a great fiction and non-fiction combination.  Fly Guy Presents Space is coming out Aug 27 and I just added Fly Guy and the Frankenfly to my basket of Fly Guy reads too.  This series never disappoints!                

           
Barbara Baker writes such sweet stories about Mama, Papa, Rose, Lily and Jack with each chapter devoted to each voice.  This book tells the story of the family's adventures one afternoon. Also check out One Saturday Morning and One Saturday Evening.




Cowgirl Kate is a great series.  I love the relationship between Kate and her horse Cocoa.  They both speak their mind, and have their quirks but are best of friends. My favorite is Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Babies. It is a great read before we head to the farm. See more in the series: Partners, School Days, Rain or Shine and Horse in the House.




                                         If you like completely off-the-wall, silly books,   you will love Dragon.  He is completely gullible and the kids love to laugh at his antics.  A friend for Dragon is the story of friendship. Friendship with an apple that is...lots to figure out and talk about when reading about Dragon. Others in the series: Dragon Gets By, Dragon's Fat Cat, Dragon's Halloween and Dragon's Merry Christmas.

I bumped into these two characters: Mr. and Mrs. Green  when I was teaching second grade and have found kids like these two alligators.  Keith Baker sets up the book with 3-4 short stories about their adventures instead of a whole story broken into chapters.  In this first book, this couple plan a camping trip, eat lots of pancakes and take a trip to the fair.  Others in the series: More Mr. and Mrs. Green, On the Go with Mr. and Mrs. Green and multiple "light" readers that feature just one story including: Cookies, The Talent Show and Fishing.

                       

                Benny and Penny is a graphic novel series that makes kids laugh! This brother and sister duo don't hold anything back as they play, fight, forgive and learn together.  That's what happens in this first book in the series.  Others in the series: Benny and Penny and the Big NoNo, Benny and Penny and the Toy Breaker and Benny and Penny Lights Out!  These books can also be read online here.

Melanie Watt has so much to offer transitional readers with her characters.  Scaredy Squirrel is one that kids love.  He completely grabs the attention of the reader and doesn't let go.  I love that there are many adventures that Scaredy encounters in his many books: Scaredy Squirrel at the beach, makes a friend, at night, has a birthday party and goes camping. It keeps kids reading.  Last year Scaredy Squirrel prepares for Christmas was released and just this month Scaredy Squirrel prepares for Halloween. 




Last but not least, Mouse and Mole! These two friends are definitely friends who leave the reader lots to predict, infer and keep thinking about throughout the story.  This series (read aloud) helps my students engage in
whole group talk about lots of comprehension work.  They are very lovable characters who are creative, considerate and ready to solve problems.