Meet Mr. and Mrs. Green by Keith Baker
Years ago, Keith Baker came to my school as a visiting author, and I became smitten with his thoughtful and eclectic work. Mr. and Mrs. Green are up there at the top of my favorite character list. A married crocodile couple who have so much fun together and support each other in everything they do, kids just eat this series up for its silliness. My favorite chapter is when Mr. Green tries to eat 100 pancakes, and he almost can’t do it until Mrs. Green cuts the very last pancake into the shape of a star to trick him! They eat their pancakes with sprinkles inside, and ever since, we do the same in our household. This beginning chapter book series is great for strong characters.
Truly Winnie by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, ill. by Alissa Imre Geis
Look at that cover. Don’t you just want to meet this girl? She just looks like someone I would like to know. This first in a series of books introduces us to the character of Winnie. She’s off to a summer camp with her two best friends, but during that time she makes a few mistakes and learns some valuable lessons. What I love about this book is that it is about such real stuff–from being afraid to be without your best friends to kind of wanting to be without them to explore things on your own to inventing stories about your life to impress others. Everything that happened in Truly Winnie had me nodding my head and thinking, “Yep, that could totally happen!” and that kind of book just appeals so much to a certain type of reader (me! among many others). I can’t wait to read more Winnie books to learn more about how she is so good at art and to also see if some of her new camp friends are continuing characters. If you are a fan of Ivy and Bean or Just Grace, this is another series to add to your reading pile!
Houndsley and Catina by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
Cute, cute, cute! This new series of books by the author of Pinky and Rex is just so inviting and fun to read. Houndsley and Catina are two friends, a cat and a dog, who are different from each other but very sweet together. One of the things I love most about this book is that it is deep and thoughtful but is at a reading level that is accessible for many kids. Here’s an example…
“Houndsley and Catina built a fire and talked about what they saw in the flames. And then they grew still and didn’t talk at all.”
That’s just a taste of the magic. Couple his words with Marie-Louise Gay’s gorgeous illustrations, and it’s a winner.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
Oh, Ivy and Bean! You are officially welcomed into my favorite character club. I love, love, love these two girls together, and I especially love how they never thought they’d be friends to begin with but wind up being the best of friends. You see, Bean thinks Ivy is boring and wants nothing to do with her at first–she’d rather think of ways to driver her older sister crazy instead. But of course the two girls come together and wind up having a blast being friends and even getting into trouble. This would be a perfect 2nd grade readaloud or an independent read for many different grades.
Check out this link for all the Ivy and Bean info from Annie Barrows herself.
And don’t forget this cool link where you can listen to Annie Barrows reading a part of the newest in the Ivy and Bean series AND watch a short movie about it.
Just Grace by Charise Harper
I must admit I was first taken in by the cover of this book before even knowing anything about it. So I guess that means I judged the book by its cover. But how could I not? It is just so appealing, and I love the arrows pointing to Grace and the cat (those great drawings are found throughout the book). And the book did not disappoint–Just Grace is a wonderful realistic fiction book about a girl who declares herself to have the superpower of empathy. Right there makes it a great read for kids. On top of teaching empathy, it’s funny and charming and was a huge hit as a readaloud with 2nd graders. I imagine 3rd would love it just as dearly. Just wait until you see what happens with that cat Crinkles on the cover!
The Adventures of Max and Pinky: Best Buds by Maxwell Eaton III
Max and Pinky just might be my new favorite characters that live in our library. Absolutely perfect for younger readers (but with a dose of wit that isn’t lost on older readers), Max and Pinky are best of friends. Always have been, always will be, as they say.
Don’t take it from me. Max and Pinky will tell you a bit about themselves.
Click here
max and pinky
Biscuit by Alyssa Capucilli
Perfect for emerging readers, the whole Biscuit series is adorable and predictable–just what the new readers are looking for. We have 10 books in the series in the Learning Hub, but you have to move fast as they leave in kids’ hands quite quickly.
Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Looking for a great character story? Look no further with Year of the Dog by Grace Lin! I have loved Grace Lin’s picture books for years (The Ugly Vegetables is a must-read), and I am now a fan of her debut novel as well. Based on events from her own life, Year of the Dog is a story about growing up, finding your talents, and figuring out who you are. One of my favorite things about this book is that the main character is Grace herself, who is Taiwanese-American. As she says herself, “It is the story I wished I had had when I was growing up, a book that had someone like me in it.”
Perfect for grades 3 and up, it also fits so nicely in the memoir unit of study.
Dragon’s Fat Cat by Dav Pilkey
It is good to know that there is more to Dav Pilkey than just the Captain Underpants series. Dragon, his series for younger readers, is funny and sweet and so well-written. In this book, Dragon befriends a cat that he names Cat (that always cracks kids up), and all sorts of funny things happen as he tries hard to take good care of Cat. Kids in the first/second grade age range love this book, and I bet 3rd graders would chuckle at the funny parts as well.
Otto Goes to Bed by Todd Parr
It’s hard to go wrong with a book written by Todd Parr, and this one is a favorite in our household. His illustrations are so brilliantly simple, and everything he writes comes straight from the heart (I love that Todd Parr always writes a letter to kids on the back page). Otto is a character in a series of books that are perfect for beginning readers to make connections to their own lives. I mean, come on, doesn’t every kid just want to jump on the bed and eat hot dogs instead of sleeping, just like Otto?
