Fun Books for First Graders

Picture Books

  • Hayes, Geoffrey. Benny and Penny in Just Pretend. 2008.
    Benny the mouse wants to be a brave pirate, but it's hard to pretend when his pesky little sister, Penny, is always tagging along.
  • Hopkinson, Deborah. Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek. 2008.
    In Knob Creek, Kentucky, in 1816, seven-year-old Abe Lincoln falls into a creek and is rescued by his best friend, Austin Gollaher.
  • Jenkins, Emily. Skunkdog. 2008.
    Dumpling, a lonely dog with no sense of smell, moves with his family to the country and makes a new friend who takes some getting used to.
  • Lane, Smith. Madam President. 2008.
    A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were President of the United States.
  • London, Jonathan. Froggy Goes to Camp. 2008.
    Froggy goes to a sleep-away camp, where all of his fun seems to cause trouble for the camp's director.
  • Palatini, Margie. Gorgonzola. 2008.
    When Gorgonzola the dinosaur learns that everyone runs from him to avoid his smell, rather than out of fear, he is grateful to the little bird who shows him how to brush his teeth and wash.
  • Seeger, Laura. Dog and Bear: Two's Company. 2008.
    Three more easy-to-read stories reveal the close friendship between a dachshund named Dog and a stuffed bear.
  • Stevens, Janet. Help Me, Mr. Mutt!: Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems. 2008.
    Dogs across the United States write to Mr. Mutt, a people expert, for help with their humans.
  • Voake, Charlotte. Tweedle Dee Dee. 2008.
    Illustrations of a forest in spring and simple text provide a variation on the traditional folk song, "The green leaves grew around." Includes musical score.
  • Willems, Mo. Are You Ready to Play Outside? 2008.
    Friends Elephant and Piggie are playing outside when it starts to rain, and then they must decide what to do.
  • Willems, Mo. I Love My New Toy! 2008.
    When Elephant accidentally breaks Piggie's new toy, they both experience intense feelings before coming to realize how important their friendship is.

Readers

  • Arnold, Tedd. Hooray for Fly Guy! 2008.
    Fly Guy joins Buzz's football team, despite Coach's misgivings, and hits the field for a special, secret play.
  • Capucilli, Alyssa. Biscuit and the Little Pup. 2008. (I Can Read! My First Shared Reading)
    Biscuit tries to coax a little puppy to come out and play.
  • Grant, Judyann. Chicken said, "Cluck!" 2008. (My First I Can Read Book)
    Earl and Pearl do not want Chicken's help in the garden, until a swarm of grasshoppers arrives and her true talent shines.
  • Howe, James. Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time. 2008.
    Houndsley loves the quiet of the first snow of winter, but Catina does not enjoy being snowed in. With pretending, books, games, creativity and some time to dream, Houndsley helps Catina let go of her worries and enjoy the snowy day.
  • O'Connor, Jane. Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris. 2008. (I Can Read! Level 1)
    Nancy is delighted that the new boy in her class is from Paris and sets out to become his friend, then discovers this Parisian is not quite as fancy as she had thought.
  • Ormerod, Jan. Ballet Sisters: the Newest Dancer. 2008.
    Sylvie gets to attend ballet school, just like her big sister.
  • Seuss, Dr. Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog? 1975.
    Poses questions for pondering: "Would you rather be a dog or be a cat?" "Would you rather live in igloos or in tents?" "Would you rather be a mermaid with a tail instead of feet?"

Non-fiction

  • Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Dinosaurs by Claire Llewellyn. 2007. [J 567.9 LLE]
    Uses letters to a fictional bird character named Dr. Fisher to teach children about dinosaurs.
  • Heavy Equipment Up Close by Andra Abramson. 2008. [J 629.255 ABR]
    From building skyscrapers to loading freight trains, from tearing down old houses to mining fuel, heavy equipment is everywhere! Children will enjoy taking a close-up look at these important machines, including terrific tractors, bucket wheel excavators and more!
  • Hamsters, Shells, and Spelling Bees: School Poems edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. 2007. [J 811.608 HAM]
    All types of poems that take place in school.
  • Americana Adventure by Michael Garland. 2008. [J 973 GAR]
    Look for hidden objects, famous Americans, special moments in history and much more.

revised May 2009