Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
Readability

Struggling readers face many roadblocks. Not only are they not able to read the books their peers are enjoying, they are often embarrassed and bored by having to read books with “babyish” covers and below-grade-level topics. Assigning struggling readers these types of books just pushes many of them further into the “I hate reading” mode. To engage these students, books should have age-appropriate, high-interest topics and enough supports to make reading successful and enjoyable. Once reluctant readers enjoy positive reading experiences, they will be open to reading more.

Rainy Day Fun: Dick and Jane Picture Readers
By: Danielle M. Denega
Publisher: Penguin Group

Oh! Oh, no! It’s raining, it’s pouring! Dick and Jane are stuck indoors on a rainy day. Don’t worry! There’s plenty of family fun to be had inside-like board games, baking, and story time.

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DICK AND JANE Go, Go, Go
By: Grosset & Dunlap
Publisher: Penguin Group

Millions of Americans remember Dick and Jane (and Sally and Spot, too!). Now Dick and Jane and all their pals are back with revised editions of these classic readers for a whole new generation of readers to enjoy!

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I'm a Big Brother
By: Joanna Cole
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

This is a child’s-eye view of family life, deftly describing the joy of welcoming a new sibling into the family.

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Quiet Bunny
By: Lisa McCue
Publisher: Sterling Publishing

More than anything, Quiet Bunny loves the sounds of the forest: the birds chirping, the wind whispering shhhhh through the leaves, and, especially, the night song all the rabbits listen to. But, one day, he wonders: how can I join in? Bunny wanders the woods asking animal after animal—but he just can’t ch-cheet like the cricket, ssssss like the hissing snake, or o-uuuu like the howling wolves. But nothing feels just right—until Quiet Bunny finds the wonderful beat that’s his and his alone.

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Fifteen Animals!
By: Sandra Boynton
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company, Inc

The amazing Bob! The amazing Boynton! Because who else but Sandra Boynton could imagine 15 Bobs in one book? Actually, that’s 14 Bobs, and one Simon James Alexander Ragsdale the Third (he’s a turtle), which gives Fifteen Animals! the added dimension of being a unique counting book—count the Bobs, count the pets, count the bunnies, count the fish. The latest of the Boynton on Board Books, Fifteen Animals! also comes with a free song available via download. It’s all the energy and appeal of Boynton: the lively language, distinctive illustrations, …

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If You Give a Pig a Pancake
By: Laura Numeroff
Publisher: HarperCollins

If you give a pig a pancake, she’ll want some syrup to go with it. You’ll give her some of your favourite maple syrup, and she’ll probably get all sticky, so she’ll want to take a bath. She’ll ask you for some bubbles. When you give her the bubbles…

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It's Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel

It’s hard to be five. Just yelled at my brother. My mind says do one thing. My mouth says another.It’s fun to be five!
Big changes are here! My body’s my car, and I’m licensed to steer. Learning not to hit? Having to wait your turn? Sitting still? It’s definitely hard to be five. But Jamie Lee Curtis’s encouraging text and Laura Cornell’s playful illustrations make the struggles of self-control a little bit easier and a lot more fun!

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The 10 Best Things About My Dad

There are lots of wonderful things about Dad, as told by a young narrator in this rhyming 8 x 8 paperback. The father plays games, gives hugs, teaches right from wrong, cheers on his child, goes for rides in the car, reads bedtime stories over and over, scares monsters away, listens to problems, and tells jokes.

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My Little Girl

Dad and his little girl, along with their very large bloodhound, set off on an ordinary day and turn it into a wonderful adventure. From dancing by a duck pond to swinging on a tire swing, lots of laughs and love are shared in time spent together. The day ends with a sweet “Goodnight, I love you” from Dad. And a whisper, “I love you more” from his little girl.  This book is a delightful reminder that spending time together really matters. Simple moments, laughter and knowing you are loved …

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In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers

Fatherhood is celebrated with honor, humor, and grace in this intergenerational collection of poetry by new and established African-American writers. The book testifies to the powerful bond between father and child, with a profound message to people everywhere that family is the greatest gift and that fathers are among the most influential heroes. Twelve outstanding poems come to life through the spirited artwork of Javaka Steptoe.

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