Today, I am reviewing some great newly published Easy Readers (aka Early Readers). These are the first books for kids who are reading independently. Most of the words in the stories will have just one syllable. The story lines are simple and age appropriate. Words and phrases will be repeated, and the sentences are short. Within these parameters, authors use their creativity to write an engaging and often humorous story so kids will want to read the book over and over again. That’s the goal!
The first four books are from Acorn, a new imprint of Scholastic. These are early reader graphic novels with an emphasis on friendship. There are not a lot of graphic novels in this age range but I think these are the types of books that get kids reading. Exploring what it means to be a good friend is also perfect for this age group!
I’m giving away the four books to one lucky winner! Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.
What are your favorite easy readers? Thanks for sharing!
New Great Easy Readers
A Friend for Dragon by Dav Pilkey
Dragon makes an unexpected new friend of an apple, and this relationship takes it through a range of emotions from happiness to worry to grief. This graphic novel for very young children is unexpectedly emotionally deep yet still maintains a sense of humor. Well done Dav Pilkey! [graphic novel easy readers, ages 4 and up]
Hello Crabby by Jonathan Fenske
Crabby reminds me of the crab, Mr. Eugene Krabs, in Sponge Bob Square Pants. Crabby is also crabby but this apparently is not the natural state of crabs as Abby, Tabby, and Blabby, also crabs, are quite pleasant. Plankton works hard to improve Crabby’s mood, which makes for humorous fun. Kids will like this funny easy reader in graphic novel format. [graphic novel easy readers, ages 4 and up]
Do You Like My Bike? by Norm Feuti
Hedgehog gets a new bike and wants to share with Harry but Harry doesn’t want to ride the bike. As Hedgehog learns why Hedgehog comes up with a great solution. The sweet friendship between the two ia both amusing stories and great modeling for being a good friend. [graphic novel easy readers, ages 4 and up]
Unicorn and Yeti: Sparkly New Friends by Heather Ayris Burnell, illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla
A unicorn and a yeti become friends when they each see something sparkly. It turns out that they have a lot in common. They are both mythical creatures and they both like fancy things. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. I don’t love the color scheme of this graphic novel. The orange, teal, and purple tones don’t really go together but I suspect that kids won’t be bothered by it. [graphic novel easy readers, ages 4 and up]
Digger and Daisy Go Camping by Judy Young, illustrated by Dana Sullivan
Digger and Daisy are siblings who love each other. Daisy is older and coaxes Digger to go camping despite his fears. Strange noises alarm Digger but Daisy knows how to calm him down. With gentle humor, this early reader is perfect for summer and camping trips (especially those in the backyard or under the dining room table!) [easy reader, ages 5 and up]
Can You See Me? by Bob Staake
Bob Staake’s book combines a lot of concepts into this fun rhyming early reader. A dinosaur has the ability to change color like a chameleon. It uses the color change to camouflage itself. Have little readers spot the dinosaur and learn colors at the same time! [easy reader, ages 5 and up]
Tip and Tucker: Road Trip by Ann Ingalls and Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Andre Ceolin
Tip and Tucker are two hamsters with polar opposite personalities. They get purchased at their pet store and moved to a new home. They are not sure if they are going to like this new place called “school” but they are about to find out. This is a gentle adventure with a diverse character. The cliff hanger ending leaves the reader wanting more! [easy reader, ages 5 and up]
Peg + Cat: Math in the Bath by Jennifer Oxley + Billy Aronson
Peg and her cat do math in the bath. This is a fun way to teach math concepts to the youngest reader. I like how graph paper with barely discernable math equations are used as part of the illustrations. This series really does a nice job showing, not telling, math concepts: more/less, maps, sink/float (STEM concept) and counting. [easy reader, ages 5 and up]
Dot.: Rocket Out of the Park based on Dot character by Randi Zuckerberg
This Level 2 Early Reader series is based on an animated TV series featuring STEM for girls. The level of science is perfect for this age group. In this book, Dot and her friends create their own bottle rockets that reflect different goals and aesthetics. Dot wants her rocket to go far and fast. Ruby wants hers to be sparkly and figures out a way for her rocket to shoot glitter. Nev and Dev construct a messy rocket and Hal’s is all about making a noise. I really like how this book models that experiments can have different goals and it’s up to the creator to decide. [easy reader, ages 5 and up]
Dot.: Leaf It to Dot based on Dot character by Randi Zuckerberg
It’s a little strange that a scout troupe nature scavenger hunt would require a computer tablet, but that sets up the story and reflects the electronic world that we all live in. Dot and her family take a walk in the woods, looking for items on their list, but because they are constantly on the tablet, they almost miss some amazing encounters with nature. But, at least, they also manage to avoid the poison ivy! [easy reader, ages 5 and up]
The Broken Bees’ Nest by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Andre Ceolin
This Make It Work Makers series encourages STEAM activities. In this book, readers learn about bees and beekeeping. This is really nicely done. The story includes a beehive rescue in the woods. Dr. Chen helps Arun and Keya find a new home for the queen bee. Sidebars add interesting facts about bees. The only thing that I would change is the cover. The font of the title and the layout of the page makes the book look low end. [easy reader, ages 5 and up]
Acorn 4 Early Reader Book GIVEAWAY!
I’m giving away the four books to one lucky winner! Please fill out the Rafflecopter at below to enter.
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
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p.s. Related posts:
Top 10: Best Multicultural Easy Readers
Best Easy Readers for New Readers
5 Great New Diversity Easy Readers
Best Easy Readers: Geisel Awards
Best Easy Readers & Early Chapter Books: 2015 Cybils Shortlist
My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
One of my earliest reading memories is a book that I now realize was an early reader, a book called “Ann Likes Red”. That was the storyline: Ann likes red. Red, red, red. Red shoes. Red shirt…You get the idea. It was a starter book, with bold black, white, and red graphics. I moved on pretty quickly. But now I am a quilter and color choices and preferences are something I think about every day. Some days I remind myself to be like Ann: know what I like and own my choice. Ann likes red! Red, red, red!
My son loved the Jesse Bear What Will You Wear book.
Dr. Suess, not only do kids enjoy hearing them but they are fun to read. 🙂 Thanks!
We are just starting the adventure with early readers, so this is very helpful!
“What are your favorite early reader books for kids?” “Go, Dog. Go!” by P.D. Eastman!
I love National Geographic for some easy readers as well as Dr. Suess, I Can Read chapter books, and some Usborne books.
Thanks so much for this huge list! I was just looking for easy reader titles–they’re going on my list.
My niece loves all the Dr. Seuss books as well as books by Mo Willems such as Knuffle Bunny.
We love Unicorn and Yeti and also Fox the Tiger