Tortoise & the Hare is by the renowned children’s illustrator and recipient of five Caldecott medals, Jerry Pinkney. This particular version tells this classic story almost entirely through illustrations. The drawings are exquisite and tell the story on their own. Your child will love to tell you the story as they learn to assign meaning to each page.
- Thumpy Feet
by Betsy Lewin is a great book for your cat or animal lovers. Your child will love making the sound affects as you read how the cat “smacks” its mouth while it eats or “lick, licks” as she grooms herself. Great bedtime story as the cat goes to the point of “snoozy, snooze” by the end of the story.
- The Story of Fish and Snail
by Deborah Freedman is a great story your child will adore as Fish tries to convince Snail to have an adventure with him – to have the courage to jump “off the page” of the story into the unknown world of dreams. You and your child will enjoy this story of friendship and bravery made even more compelling by startling illustrations.
The Mighty Lalouche by Matthew Olshan and Sophie Blackall is a book your five to eight year old will appreciate. Set in Paris is focuses on a postman who loses his job and decides to take up boxing. An unlikely candidate due to his small stature and personality he challenges larger boxers with his speed and agility. Wonderfully playful drawings help to tell a story of persistence and believing in oneself to solve many problems. It is a lesson in following what you love.
- Sophie’s Squash
by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf is an adorable story about a girl who gets a squash at the farmer’s market. Sophie becomes attached to the squash – to the point of caring for it like a baby doll. The story evolves into a beautiful ending that focuses on the magic of loving and the mysteries that come from letting go.
Your emergent and independent readers are likely to return to these books again and again.
What new books are you reading with your child?
