Literary First Chapter Books (48 books)

No, they aren't War & Peace. But some first chapter books rise above the rest in their creativity, originality, writing and illustration craft, characterization, plot and themes. Read them aloud to a pre-reader or hand them, with confidence, to an independent reader. They are still accessible and highly enjoyable, but a cut above the rest.

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	The Story of Diva and Flea (Diva and Flea, #1) by Mo Willems 4.19 avg rating — 4,055 ratings score: 500, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 13,794 ratings score: 297, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes 3.76 avg rating — 9,027 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Robber Hotzenplotz by Otfried Preußler 4.22 avg rating — 5,866 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Kenny & the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 5,902 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Clementine (Clementine, #1) by Sara Pennypacker 3.95 avg rating — 21,965 ratings score: 193, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	My Happy Life by Rose Lagercrantz 4.08 avg rating — 1,320 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Travels with My Family by Marie-Louise Gay 3.84 avg rating — 172 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Pippi Longstocking (Pippi Långstrump, #1) by Astrid Lindgren 4.15 avg rating — 208,794 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Digby O'Day in the Fast Lane by Shirley Hughes 3.79 avg rating — 364 ratings score: 183, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Catwings (Catwings, #1) by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.13 avg rating — 10,363 ratings score: 180, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Anna Hibiscus (Anna Hibiscus, #1) by Atinuke 4.16 avg rating — 2,441 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Dreams of Voyages by Shreya Malla (Goodreads Author) 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Detective Gordon: The First Case (Detective Gordon, #1) by Ulf Nilsson 3.88 avg rating — 737 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home (Celeste, #1) by Henry Cole 3.88 avg rating — 3,879 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Hooray for Anna Hibiscus! (Anna Hibiscus, #2) by Atinuke 4.45 avg rating — 598 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The High Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate by Scott Nash 3.83 avg rating — 309 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Good Luck, Anna Hibiscus! (Anna Hibiscus, #3) by Atinuke 4.40 avg rating — 513 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Pirate Pig by Cornelia Funke (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 495 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 7,170 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus! (Anna Hibiscus, #4) by Atinuke 4.48 avg rating — 489 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Great Cake Mystery (Precious Ramotswe's Very First Cases #1) by Alexander McCall Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 3,494 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Tout le monde dehors! (Petit Pat, #1) by André Marois it was ok 2.00 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Mrs. Noodlekugel by Daniel Pinkwater 3.47 avg rating — 731 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming 3.98 avg rating — 15,816 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit (Bed and Biscuit, 1) by Joan Carris 3.84 avg rating — 233 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith 4.10 avg rating — 16,465 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	The Trouble With Chickens (J.J. Tully Mystery #1) by Doreen Cronin 3.83 avg rating — 4,541 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Carbonel: The King of the Cats (Carbonel, #1) by Barbara Sleigh 4.23 avg rating — 1,788 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake by Robin Newman (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 457 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look 3.92 avg rating — 1,037 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything by Lenore Look 3.92 avg rating — 422 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny (Bunjitsu Bunny, #1) by John Himmelman 4.11 avg rating — 1,104 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Young Fredle (Davis Farm, #2) by Cynthia Voigt (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 1,228 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The No. 1 Car Spotter (No. 1 Car Spotter, #1) by Atinuke 3.98 avg rating — 352 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things (Alvin Ho, #1) by Lenore Look 3.82 avg rating — 7,087 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Squirrel's Birthday and Other Parties by Toon Tellegen 4.13 avg rating — 315 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Mrs. Piggle Wiggle (Mrs. Piggle Wiggle #1) by Betty MacDonald 4.16 avg rating — 55,167 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse by Tamera Will Wissinger (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 1,932 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail and an Even Smaller Ant by Avi 3.93 avg rating — 2,245 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	A Great and Complicated Adventure by Toon Tellegen really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 68 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Traveling Circus (Travels with My Family, 4) by Marie-Louise Gay 3.81 avg rating — 52 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Lower the Trap by Jessica Scott Kerrin 3.20 avg rating — 30 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Letters to Anyone and Everyone by Toon Tellegen 4.18 avg rating — 493 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Far Away Across the Sea by Toon Tellegen 4.34 avg rating — 95 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	My Heart is Laughing by Rose Lagercrantz 3.91 avg rating — 677 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	The Show Must Go On! (Three-Ring Rascals, #1) by Kate Klise 3.76 avg rating — 619 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Le voleur de sandwichs by André Marois 3.85 avg rating — 571 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars