5183 Fall 2025 Information Resources and Services for Children discussion

Part 1: Add ALL the required children's books that you read for this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. This week you read 5 beginning reader books. 

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, just add the title with your response.

Part 2: Answer to the following questions in the comment area. Your response this week should focus on ONE of the five beginning reader books that you chose to read.

1. A citation for the book, formatted in APA format. (Add a book cover/link to the book in the comment area, if possible.)

2. A brief annotation (no more than two sentences) for the contents of the book.

3. A brief commentary on the book, stating whether you think it is effective as a beginning reader book and why or why not. Your answers to #3 should be about 100 words. 

1. Ruzzier, S. (2016). This is not a picture book!. Chronicle Books.

2. Duck finds a book with no pictures and, with the help of his friend bug, learns to decipher the words to find that all books, even ones without pictures, can be fun to read.

3. With the premise of finding a book with no pictures, I think this story is a great book for readers who are beginning their reading journey, though I do think readers will need a bit of help from an adult due to some bigger words. The typeface throughout the story is clear and bold making the words easier to read and dead space on the page also helps make it easy for young readers to follow. The story also features a discussion on different types of words and the meanings and feelings behind them. I think this story would be good for a new reader who has a handle on most easy read books but is not quite ready for a more challenging book just yet.

1. Kügler, T. (2020). The biggest roller coaster. Scholastic Inc

2.Fritz, Franny, and their dog Fred take to the amusement park to ride the tallest, fastest, loudest and most thrilling ride the park has to offer.

3. Fox Tails is part of a series that is branded as an ‘acorn book’, targeted to those learning how to read. I would even say this is a perfect bridge for those wanting a chapter book- as well as a graphic novel. The book is filled with full color pictures on every page as well as color-coded dialogue bubbles for the characters. This is helpful for early readers distinguishing who is saying what, but it also makes for fun a fun partner to read between a parent and child. The text features humorous easy to read words and repeated phrases that build confidence in new readers. I believe that all these features come together to make Fox Tails a great beginning/early reader that is engaging for both parents and children.
( Personally this book, the fox series by Corey Tarbor, and Best Buddies is what got my child reading chapter books- they are still one of her favorites)

1. Johnson, C. (1955) Harold and The Purple Crayon. HarperCollins Publishers.


2. Harold and the Purple Crayon is a whimsical and imaginative story about a young boy who uses a magical crayon to embark on an exciting adventure.

3. Harold and the Purple Crayon is a classic picture book. I think this book is simple yet fun and is effective for positive development with beginning readers. This book introduces simple vocabulary to new readers as well as providing such a fun story, allowing the reader to engage and use their imagination. The illustrations are simple line drawings that focus on Harold’s creative adventure with his magical purple crayon. The story is clear and linear and uses simple as well as repeated sentences, which helps beginning readers recognize words and develop reading fluency. Overall this book is a wonderful book for beginners as well as a read-aloud book.

1. Arnold, T. (2009). I spy fly guy. Scholastic Inc.
2. When Buzz loses his best friend Fly Guy in a game of hide and seek, he is devastated! Following Fly Guy's trail all the way to the town dump, Buzz realizes Fly Guy isn't lost at all...he's just really, really good at hiding.
3. I Spy Fly Guy is an effective beginning reader book because it has large font throughout the book, and the narrative is told using short sentences with repetitive words and phrases that readers can recognize repeatedly as they read through the story. The book is divided into short chapters to get readers used to the format of longer chapter books, and completing a book with chapters, however short, can make a reader feel confident that they are learning to read bigger and more complex books. The pictures in this book are colorful and engaging but are “symmetrical” (Short & Cuerto 2023) to the text, not communicating information beyond what the words say.

Cronin, D., & Lewin, B. (2000). Click, clack, moo: Cows that type. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
The cows on Farmer Brown’s farm have learned how to type, and they have some demands. Farmer Brown and the cows go back and forth with demands until one succeeds.
I think this is an effective beginning reader book. It has repetition of words which can be easier for kids but it isn’t the only thing written. The story is easy to follow and is fun for children to imagine animals being able to talk and/or type. It’s a simple story that kids can either read along with, with parents, or read on their own and still be able to comprehend what is happening. The writing on the pages isn’t super long, and tends to be broken up between the narration and the letters written by either the cows or the farmer.

1. Citation
Henkes, K. (2012). Penny and her song. Greenwillow Books.
2. Annotation
Penny creates a simple, joyful song and wants to share it with her family, but she must wait until the time is right to sing it aloud.
3. Commentary
To me, this book feels like the perfect balance between an easy reader and an early chapter book. The vocabulary is manageable, and the repetition of Penny’s song gives it a rhythm that supports fluency. I also love how the story captures a child’s excitement to share something new while showing the importance of patience. The illustrations add warmth and make it easier for young readers to follow along. I found the short chapters helpful because they gave a sense of progress without being overwhelming. It’s a book that makes kids want to read on their own but also share aloud.

1. Citation
Rylant, C. (1994). Henry and Mudge: The first book. Aladdin.
2. Annotation
Henry, a lonely boy, finds comfort and adventure in the companionship of his large dog, Mudge, as they discover the joy of friendship.
3. Commentary
When I read this book, I immediately understood why it’s a favorite for beginning readers. The sentences are simple but not boring, and the story has an emotional pull that makes kids want to keep going. I also like that it’s the first in a long series because it naturally encourages children to keep practicing their reading with familiar characters. For me, this book shows how controlled vocabulary and storytelling can work together to build both skills and motivation.

1. Citation
Seuss, D. (1960). Green eggs and ham. Beginner Books/Random House.
2. Annotation
Sam-I-Am tries to convince a reluctant character to taste green eggs and ham, offering increasingly silly scenarios until persistence pays off.
3. Commentary
I’ve always thought this was one of the best examples of a beginning reader book. With just fifty different words, it shows how repetition and rhyme can keep a story fun without making it feel too simple. When I read it, I could feel the rhythm pushing me forward, which is exactly what helps kids sound out and predict new words. The silly scenarios make it entertaining, and the persistence of Sam-I-Am keeps readers hooked until the very end. In my opinion, this book makes reading playful, which is one of the best ways to build confidence in early literacy.

1. Citation
Parish, P. (1995). Amelia Bedelia 4 mayor. Greenwillow Books.
2. Annotation
When Amelia Bedelia accidentally becomes involved in a mayoral race, her literal interpretations of campaign tasks lead to comic misunderstandings.
3. Commentary
I think this book works best for kids who are moving past the earliest readers and are ready for more of a challenge. The wordplay is funny, but it also pushes readers to think about how words can have more than one meaning. I enjoyed how the short chapters made it feel like a “real” book without being overwhelming. What stood out to me most was the humor; kids get to laugh at Amelia’s mix-ups while also feeling proud when they understand the joke before she does. For me, that combination makes it an effective transitional reader that bridges into longer chapter books.

1. Citation
Capucilli, A. S. (1996). Biscuit. HarperCollins.
2. Annotation
This simple story follows a little yellow puppy named Biscuit as he resists bedtime, finding playful ways to delay going to sleep.
3. Commentary
I think Biscuit is one of the best examples of a true beginning reader book. The sentences are extremely short and repetitive, which makes it accessible for children who are just starting to read on their own. The predictable pattern of the text, along with Biscuit’s repeated “Woof, woof!” response, gives kids confidence and a sense of participation as they read. The illustrations also support comprehension by clearly showing what is happening in each scene. I like that the story is simple but still relatable, since children often find ways to delay bedtime. For me, this book demonstrates how controlled vocabulary can still feel fun and engaging.

The Book That Eats People
1. Perry, J. (2009). The book that eats people. Tricycle Press.
2. If you have sticky fingers or cookies in your pocket, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! This book is a monster with teeth, claws, and an insatiable appetite for human readers. You’ve been warned!
3. The Book That Eats People is an excellent choice for beginning readers. Its imaginative and unique concept and fantastic illustrations ensure readers will be engaged in the material. The unique concept of a monster book that eats humans immediately captivates and creates intrigue. While the text uses fairly elementary vocabulary, it also introduces more descriptive adjectives (like perilous, ravenously, and wriggled) that beginning readers can grasp through strong context clues and vivid imagery. The dynamic illustrations perfectly support the text and are done in varying styles throughout the book, such as comic strip panels or black and white. Overall I think this book is a highly effective and motivating tool for building vocabulary and transitioning into more expressive, higher level reading.

Tabor, C. R. (2023). Fox has a problem. Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

In Fox Has a Problem, Fox tries to hide a broken skateboard by piling on increasingly silly "solutions," each one making the problem worse. The playful illustrations and humorous additions highlight the themes of honesty, problem solving, and consequences of one's own actions.

All of the books I chose this week are a part of the "I Can Read" or "My First Book" series. They are numbered based on beginning reading level, and those came in so handy when I was an elementary librarian last year. Students could recognize where they were and aim higher. Fox Has a Problem is one of them, and I believe it is effective as a beginning reader book. It uses short repetitive structures that build confidence for early readers. The illustrations support the words, helping the children follow the words and make those connections. It becomes accessible and engaging to kickstart independent reading.

1. Willems, M. (2014). Waiting is not easy!. Hyperion Books for Children.

2. Gerald is frustrated when Piggie tells him he must wait for a surprise. After much impatience, Gerald finally realizes the surprise was worth waiting for when he discovers that it is the beautiful night sky full of stars.

3. This book works really well for beginning readers because the text is simple and repetitive, and the illustrations clearly show what’s happening. The entire story is told through speech bubbles, which makes it easy for young readers to follow the conversation and to pick up on the characters’ feelings. The predictable structure and emotional clues help new readers figure out words from context. Willems mixes sight words with easy to sound out words, helping children build fluency and confidence. The funny, relatable story keeps them engaged while also teaching a gentle lesson about patience.

1. Scotton, R., & Hsu Lin, A. (2012). Splat the cat takes the cake. HarperCollins Publishers.

2. Splat emulates his favorite superhero when trying to win a new TV for his family by entering a cake-baking contest.

3. Splat the Cat is a series of books within the “I Can Read” collection aimed at helping readers learn to read. I would agree that this book is an effective beginning reader book because of the shorter sentences and word repetition throughout the book. The whimsical pictures help guide the reader to understand and easily visualize what is happening throughout the story. Overall, the story contains simpler concepts, rhyming phrases and easier words to help children as they are learning to read and would be a good choice for any beginning reader learning to read on their own.

1. Citation (APA):
Rylant, C., & Stevenson, S. (1987). Henry and Mudge: The first book of their adventures. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Henry and Mudge - The First Book

2. Annotation:
This is the first book in the Henry and Mudge series. It tells the story of Henry, a little kid, and his huge, friendly dog Mudge. They go on small but important excursions that show the importance of friendship, family, and having someone to be with.
3. Commentary:
Henry and Mudge: The First Book is a great book for new readers. The language is limited and repeated, but it's not boring, which helps kids learn to read quickly. The sentences are brief and easy to understand, which makes it easier for new readers to figure them out. Suçie Stevenson's pictures go perfectly with the words, giving kids information about what the words signify. Young readers may relate to the themes of loneliness, love, and friendship, which keep them interested. The friendship between Henry and his dog Mudge also makes kids feel more connected to the story, which makes them want to keep reading. Overall, it strikes a great balance between being easy to understand and being entertaining.

The Berenstain Bears Play Football!

Berenstain, M. (2017). The Berenstain Bears Play Football! HarperCollins.

In this Level 1 I Can Read book, Brother and Sister Bear play football while waiting for their family to watch the “Grizzly Bowl,” encountering challenges, teamwork, and excitement as they aim for a touchdown.
This book is fairly effective as a beginning reader text. The vocabulary is simple and repetitive, making it accessible for emergent readers to sound out familiar words and build confidence. Its short sentences and clear illustrations reinforce meaning, which helps children connect words with context. However, for a reader with very limited phonemic awareness, some words (e.g. “touchdown,” “Grizzly”) might pose mild difficulty, and the narrative is lightly plotted (more action than depth). Overall, it offers a fun, sports-oriented story that can motivate early readers without overwhelming them.

Willems, M. (2008). Are you ready to play outside? Hyperion Books for Children.

In this easy-to-read book, Elephant and Piggie want to play outside on a day when it is pouring down rain. Elephant gets creative and they begin to enjoy their day and do not want it to ever stop raining.

This easy-to-read book works relatively well for beginning readers as there are very few words to the page, the story is engaging, and most of the vocabulary is such that a beginning reader should be able to read sound out the words. This would be a good text to use to explain words do not always follow phonics rules. For example, "pouring." Typically, the ou digraph follows the /ou/ /oo/ or /uh/ rule, in the word "pouring, ou does not follow that rule, yet the reader has to read it several times. There were times I felt the illustrations could get in the way of the text. For example, to illustrate the rain pouring there were dark lines streaking down the entire page spread; the worms have small speech bubble above them with text in them, though just a total of two words, they could get lost if the reader is not looking carefully. Overally, this Elephant and Piggie book offers an easy-to-read story that concludes with the concept that a day is what you make of it.

1. Cohen, C.L. (1998). How Many Fish? (S.D. Schindler. Illus). HarperCollins Publishers.

2. Six little fish are interrupted when six little legs invade their world.

3. I do think this would be effective as a beginning reader book. The simple story has a lot of repetition, making it easy to read for those just beginning to read. The words themselves are small and common, so children may already know them. The spacing is also perfect for young readers. There are only one or two short sentences per page, allowing them to master each page quickly and not become overwhelmed by a lot of words. The illustrations give context clues for any words the reader may not know, and they allow them to better follow the story. I really think this book would be perfect for those starting on their reading journey.

1. Fenske, J. (2024). Nothing scares a dinosaur. Simon & Schuster.

2. As a boy is trying to fall asleep, he imagines himself as a dinosaur who isn't afraid of anything that seems scary at night.

3. This is an effective beginning reader book because of the rhyming language structure, large bold print, and short sentences or single words on each page. The pictures relate directly to the text and add more understanding to the story. This book also has action words or words that make the sound of a noise, which can be a very useful tool when teaching children how to read. Words that sound fun or are familiar can encourage children who are starting to read to keep going, even if the other words are more difficult to say. Overall, this would be a great book to encourage independent reading.

Pennypacker, S. (2006). Clementine. Hyperion Books for Children.

Clementine's week is not going well, with every good intention Clementine's best turn into a disaster.

This is well structured early transition book for those readers reader to begin reading chapter books. The use of a few illustrations in each chapter will allow the reader to still connect what they are reading to illustrations but still rely on the words on the page to tell the store. In Clementine the author utilized a great deal of dialog to make the reading easier to follow and onomatopoeia to help emphasize the sounds she was describing throughout the text. To connect with the reader, she also had several instances in which the character would spell a word, then write it out. For example, "N-O-T, not me" (Pennypacker, p.62). I do think there are some vocabulary words that will challenge the readers, and they will need assistance while reading. As a transition read, this was relatable and fun story in which the intended readers will enjoy.

Silverman, E. (2005). Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. Harcourt.

This easy reader follows Cowgirl Kate and her talking horse Cocoa through several different adventures. Singing, storytelling, gift-giving, and bedtime are all a part of this duo's experiences together.

Lewin's use of chapters is an excellent way for young readers to begin to journey away from the traditional picture book and into chapter reading. Though each chapter in Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa was a separate story, each followed Kate and her horse through a different experience in their friendship. With each chapter being separate, the reader is only needing to comprehend one story at a time, not the book as a whole. Lewin gives a table of contents with chapter titles for the reader to know what each story will be about. Use of dialog makes the reading easier to follow. The illustrations enhance comprehension and engagement.

George, J. C. (2008). Goose and duck. Laura Geringer Books.

In this easy-to-read, Goose and Duck find the boy who raises them as his own and becomes their parent. As they grow, and seasons change, so do they, and eventually they find who they really are.

Goose and Duck is a engaging story in which the boy becomes the two birds' parent. He raises them to do all the things he does. The story may also have a concept woven in it as the characters are growing and learning from each other and yet also learning to become independent. The illustrations enhance the text, engaging the reader in the story. The vocabulary is easy to understand and most of the words are decodable or sight words, making the book one an early reader may be able to complete independently.

1. Lobel, A. (1970). Frog and Toad are friends. HarperCollins.

2. This collection of five short stories follows Frog and Toad as they experience everyday adventures that highlight friendship, problem-solving, and kindness. The simple text is paired with warm illustrations that support comprehension.

3. I think Frog and Toad Are Friends is highly effective as a beginning reader book. The vocabulary is controlled and repetitive, which helps children build confidence in decoding words while still encountering meaningful sentences. The short episodic chapters provide a sense of accomplishment without overwhelming the reader, and the consistent characters support prediction and understanding. Also, the themes of friendship and problem-solving keep the stories relatable for young children. The combination of accessible text, supportive illustrations, and relatable themes makes this book a good choice for early readers.

Elliott, R. (2020), Unicorn Diaries: Bo's magical new friend. Scholastic.

Bo is a magical unicorn with lots of friends, but he has never had a best friend. He hopes the cool and funny new unicorn in school will become his best friend!

The book itself is appealing. It features a variety of colors and fun patterns. Each page is lined like a journal, but the writing is large, easy to read, and colorful, and there are pictures of unicorns, the forest, forest creatures, the school, and more on every page. This makes it fun to look at while reading. The words are a little longer than in some easy-read books, but not difficult to sound out; it gives the reader a challenge without making it frustrating to read. The story itself is fun and relatable. We have all experienced wanting to make a friend and being nervous. This all makes it an excellent early reader, with intrigue, vibrant colors, fun illustrations, and relatable situations.

1. Willems, Mo. (2013). A big guy took my ball. Hyperion Books for Children.

2. Piggie finds a new ball to play with but a Big Guy takes it! Luckily, her big friend, Gerald, finds the confidence to help his little friend get her ball back. When Gerald finds the Big Guy, things take an unexpected turn and both Gerald and Piggie get more than what they bargained for.

3. From personal experience, Elephant & Piggie books were favorites in my home when my daughter was beginning to read. Mo Willem’s short sentence structure, simple and repetitive words, and the use of dialogue bubbles make them an effective beginning reader book. Additionally, the illustrations lend themselves so well to the storyline and allow readers to “read the pictures” along with the words to get a deeper understanding of the storyline. In A Big Guy Took My Ball, as with many of the Elephant & Piggie books, humor is a key component. The characters’ exaggerated facial expressions, big bold text that shows loud dialogue, and funny scenarios Gerald and Piggie get themselves into all appeal to early readers and get them laughing and engaged in the story.

Barrows, A. (2006). Ivy and bean. Chronicle Books.

Ivy and Bean features to friends who resisted their friendship at first due to how different they were, but when an unlikely situation brought them together, their difference allows them great adventures.

In this transitional read chapter book the Barrows tell the story of Bean who likes to wear shorts, play outside, and doesn't mind getting dirty; and Ivy who loves dresses and reading. During an unlikely event, they come together and form a great friendship in which they realize their difference allow them to be even better friends. The chapters are short and easy to follow with illustrations that allow the reader to become more engaged with the text. Readers can relate to the ideas of friendship, adventure, and imagination. Sight-words, and decodable words are present. I believe some of the proper nouns may be more challenging for students to pronounce without assistance. Overall, this was an excellent early chapter book for readers.

Parish, H. (2019). Amelia bedelia gets the picture. HarperCollins.

Amelia Bedelia and her classmates get ready for school picture day. When it gets canceled, Amelia and her classmates come up with a different way to do class picture day.

I have loved Amelia Bedelia since I was in elementary school. I love that current generations of young children are getting to enjoy the funny things that Amelia Bedelia gets into. In this beginning reader book we find Amelia Bedelia and her classmates ready for picture day at school. I think this book is perfect for young readers because they get a kid's view of what picture day is like and how some children enjoy picture day and other kids don't enjoy having to dress up like Amelia's classmate Clay. It's also good for children because it shows that kids have great imagination. When picture day is canceled, Amelia comes up with another way to still have a class picture and show more personality of the children in her class. It is definitely an effective book for young readers.

1. Emberley, M. (2022). I did it! (M. Emberley, Illus.). Holiday House Publishing, Inc.

2. Our main character attempts new activities even though they fail. Eventually, they finally succeed!

3. I believe that this is an effective beginning reader book. Most of the book uses the same phrases over and over again, such as "I can't do it." and " . . to do it" with a beginning phrase attached, "I want" or "I think". Per our lecture notes, repetition is important, and that is all this book is about! This book also presents a short, predictable reading pattern for children with accompanying illustrations. This repetition can spur a dialogue between a parent and their child about what the character is experiencing.

1. John, J., Oswald, P., & Joshaghani, S. (2022). The bad seed goes to the library. Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
2. The bad seed is in a good mood because he gets to visit the library. But what happens when he has to check in his books after he is finished reading them?
3. This book is an effective beginning reader book because of it's easy to read and features repetitive language especially in the form of sight words which are important for students to be exposed to and learn. Furthermore, the text works along with the illustrations to engage students and tell a story. For example, when the bad seed is trying to find a spot to read there are captions above or next to the illustrations that say "No-too busy" "No-too dark" and "No-too quiet". The illustrations then show each of these reading spaces helping the reader to make connections between text and illustrations. Lastly this book teaches readers library procedures and concepts of sharing which is important as many beginning readers are trying to understand the world around them in conjunction with learning how to read.

There Is a Bird on Your Head!

1. Willems, M. (2007). There is a bird on your head. Hyperion Books for Children.

2. This is the story of Piggie's endearing attempts to help her good friend Gerald with a precarious predicament - a bird that has landed on his head. The scenarios that unfold are not only hilarious but show the value of a great friend.

3. This story is one that early readers will love. The reading level is appropriate for early readers as it contains many of the high frequency sight words and CVC words. Students who are beginning to decode words with 5 or more letters will find this book challenging and satisfying to read as the story line is easy to follow and the dialogue format makes this engaging. As the story builds, the reader will wonder what will happen. This gives multiple opportunities to practice retelling the plot, making a prediction of what is to come, and even do some basic character analysis as the two characters react differently to the situation. I highly recommend this book as a buddy read with a student who is either an early reader or a struggling reader. This can easily be done by the teacher playing one character and the student playing the other. Since the illustrations are simplified and the words are placed in large gray or pink word bubbles, this is an easy buddy reading book to follow along. As a bonus, it is sure to bring some belly laughs for both teacher and student alike!

1. Satin Capucilli, A. (2012) Biscuit plays ball. Scholastic Inc.

2. Biscuit is at a ball game with his person, but no dogs are allowed to play! Biscuit really wants to join the fun, is there a way biscuit can play too?

3. I have loved biscuit books since I was a child myself so while at the Asian Night Market Festival, I visited the Rolling Thunder Book Bus and picked up this reader for our assignment this week. Biscuit is as adorable as I remember, and children will be able to empathize with Biscuits’ desire to play! The story is easy to follow, and the illustrations are not overly loud or distracting for young readers. There are many high frequency words, repeated words, and easy to follow story making this ideal for a beginning reader. This book is ideal for a child who loves dogs or animals, and it is sure to engage and delight

1. Berenstain, S., & Berenstain, J. (1978). The Berenstain bears and the spooky old tree.

2. Three little bears go out to explore the spooky old tree. Their bravery is put to the test, but they make it home safely after their adventure.

3. I think this book is an effective early reader book. The illustrations take up the majority of the pages, and the sentences are short. The words are simple but foundational vocabulary. The font used is fairly large and the sentences cooperate with the illustrations on the page. Only one page has 5 lines of text, but even then the sentences were short. I remember reading this and other Berenstain Bear books when I was younger. They were great for me when I was learning to read, and I think they are great for other early readers as well!

1. Underwood, D. (2020). Outside in (C. Derby, Illus.). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

2. Even when we are outside, sometimes we are still inside. Outside misses us and reminds us it is still there, waiting.

3. Outside In is a fantastic book for beginning readers. It uses a limited vocabulary and expands on the meaning with the pictures being used, like "even when we are outside, we are still inside," shows a girl in the car with the beautiful expanse of the outside through the window. Another example being, "rivers rush inside, and then go back out to sea" the image shows the plumbing of a house going to a girl's bathroom sink and travelling to a large ocean. The themes of the book remind children to appreciate the outside and that they should go play outside! The ending message could be stronger, relying mostly on pictures, but does a great job of expanding the vocabulary of young readers.

1. Chaconas, D. (2006). Cork and fuzz: Short and tall. (McCue, L., Illus.). Viking Books.

2. Cork and Fuzz are very different from each other, one a short muskrat and the other a tall opossum, but they are best friends. Through heart and humor, these friends learn that true friendship isn't about being the same but accepting each other for who you are.

3. I believe this book is an effective easy-reader for it's combination of simple sentence structure, repetition, and controlled vocabulary. The book uses humorous dialogue and wacky scenarios to keep readers interested and encourages expressive reading, Along with that, the book utilizes heavy dialogue which creates a sense of action and further drives reader interest. The book also focuses on concepts that are relatable to children like friendships, being different, and learning acceptance. These techniques in combination with vivid illustrations help readers practice context clues for word recognition and comprehension which fosters confidence in reading and emotional understanding.

Today I Will Fly!
1. Citation
Willems, M. (2007). Today I will fly!. Hyperion Books for Children.

2. Annotation
Piggie is determined to learn how to fly, while her friend Gerald the elephant doubts it’s possible. With humor and teamwork, Piggie proves that with help from friends, almost anything can happen.

3. Commentary
I think Today I Will Fly! is a great beginning reader book because it’s funny, simple, and really encourages kids to keep reading. The short, repetitive sentences make it easy to follow along, and the playful dialogue feels like a real conversation between friends. The pictures do a lot of the storytelling, helping kids understand new words through context. I also like how the story celebrates trying new things and not giving up- the tone is positive and fun. I think this is an excellent title for beginning readers.

Titles chosen that were already added to the group shelf:
Frog and Toad are Friends
Henry and Mudge- The First Book

1. Keller, L. (2016). We Are Growing. Hyperion Books for Children.

2. We Are Growing is a funny book about fearful Walt, who is growing up fast with his friends. Walt takes readers on a journey to discover what he is good at as he worries that life will pass by without him being able the something-est.

3. We Are Growing is a great and funny beginning reader book that won the Theodor Seuess Geisel Award. This humorous book is in An Elephant and Piggie Like Reading! series by Mo Willems. The book is about one of the characters feeling left out and unsure of his talents as he sees the accomplishments of those around him. This book is a good starting point for new readers due to its unique plot, creative characters, and the dilemmas they encounter. The message is delivered creatively and humorously, incorporating CVC and sight words to help students sound out syllables. This book is excellent for beginners because the illustrations effectively convey the message to young readers and provide strong context clues. The illustrations of facial expressions and body language help convey the tone, making it easier for early readers to understand what the book is about and feel confident as they read through it.

1. Fenske, J. (2015). A pig, a fox, and a box. Penguin Young Readers.

2. Fox and Pig have fun with a cardboard box. Fox finds himself in trouble after trying to prank Pig too many times.

3. A Pig, a Fox, and a Box can be an effective early reading book when phonic knowledge is applied to it. The book does suggest that readers should "figure out unknown words by using picture and context clues" rather than phonetic knowledge, and the majority of the story can be deciphered from the pictures. However, there are rhyming words, including fox/box/top, wig/pig/big, and bad/mad, which can help early readers recognize sound patterns. The book is also full of other CVC words, which can help early readers blend sounds together. I believe this book would be effective for younger early readers, primarily those aged 3-6.

1. Fox, M. (2004). Where is the green sheep? Penguin Books.

2. Go on an adventure, discovering an abundance of sheep who are not necessarily green, but just as unique. Will the green sheep be found?

3. Where is the Green Sheep is a sweet, funny story for beginning readers, as well as a read aloud. The text is simple and repetitive which encourages vocabulary and recognition. This book is full of words that describe concepts, such as near and far, a few colors, all while holding a steady rhythm and repeating the phrase, “where is the green sheep?” Repetitive text contributes to early literacy by supporting narrative skills, as children are able to predict what comes next. Most of the words are simple and there is not a lot of text per page. It is also an engaging story as children will be looking all over the page, trying to find the green sheep!

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
1. Litwin, E. (2012). Pete the Cat and his four groovy buttons (J. Dean, Illus.). HarperCollins.
2. Pete the Cat loves his four groovy buttons, but as each one pops off, he keeps singing his cheerful song, reminding readers that “buttons come and buttons go.” The story uses repetition, rhyme, and counting to teach basic math skills and a positive attitude about loss.
3. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons is an effective beginning reader book because it combines predictable text with engaging repetition, which helps children anticipate language patterns and build confidence in decoding words. The simple math component—counting down from four—integrates early numeracy skills in a natural and enjoyable way. The rhythmic phrasing and sing-song structure make it fun to read aloud, supporting phonemic awareness. James Dean’s bright, expressive illustrations reinforce comprehension and keep young readers’ attention. Overall, this book encourages resilience and positivity while strengthening foundational literacy skills, making it a strong choice for early readers.

1. Wenzel, B. (2016). They all saw a cat. Chronicle Books.

2. A tale of a cat as it walks through the world, as seen by various other creatures. Each page presents how perception can alter any story, for good or for worse.

3. They All Saw a Cat is an effective beginning reader book that invites learners to consider how perspective can change the way that someone or something appears. As the cat makes its way through the world and across the pages, young readers can easily understand the book’s patterned nature. Each page follows a rhythm of repetitive description combined with unique visual cues. The book’s repetitive nature helps readers anticipate language and ideas, while its illustrations ask them to consider point of view and interpretation. I would recommend this book for learners aged 3-6, as it encourages curiosity as well as practice in reading comprehension.

1. Greene, S. (2010). Princess Posey and the first grade parade (S. Ross Sisson, Illus.). Puffin.

2. Posey is a princess (she is sure of it) who has to leave her tutu (that makes her feel brave) at home and go to first grade all by herself. This adorable story is about a little girl who faces her fears and is brave like a real-life princess—even without her tutu.

3. This book is adorable, and it is perfect for beginning readers. It feels similar to the Junie B. Jones books in style. The words on the page are broken up by illustrations and it uses a big font with lots of spacing so young readers don’t get overwhelmed. It’s a good transition book to chapter books because it has the same kind of style, but it’s less overwhelming and it has pictures. It’s also very relatable to young kids. Going to school can be really scary, and this book can help give kids confidence in themselves. I also think it could be a good book for children to learn to read aloud too. I’ve noticed that many children now struggle to do this, and I think this book would be a perfect beginning tool for that.

1. Capucilli, A. S., & Schories, P. (2025). Biscuit's puppy sleepover. HarperCollins.

2. Biscuit and his Little Girl host a fun and playful puppy sleepover. During the evening, Biscuit enjoys activities with other puppy friends and learns about sharing and comfort as he searches for a stuffed animal to snuggle at bedtime.

3. When I read this with my 4 year old, I could tell this was a great beginner book because it uses simple, repetitive language and short sentences. The cute illustrations support the text, helping new readers understand the story and build confidence as they recognize familiar words and phrases. My 4-year-old easily relates to "Biscuit's Puppy Sleepover" because the story centers on friendship, bedtime routines, and the excitement of a sleepover. She said that she is just like the puppy where she has to find the perfect ‘stuffy’ to take to school to sleep with at nap time or when she chooses one for night time. I like that Biscuit has a series of books and adventures that can relate to various situations for beginning readers to connect with such as “Biscuit Goes to School”, “Biscuit Wins a Prize” or “Goodnight Biscuit”.

Little Mouse Gets Ready
1. Smith, Jeff. (2009). Little Mouse Gets Ready. Toon Books.
2. This book follows little mouse as he gets dressed to go to the barn with his family. The little mouse does not realize until the end that mice do not wear clothes.
3. Little Mouse Gets Ready is a great way to introduce children to the comic medium. As a long time enthusiast of the art form, this is what gets kids into this kind of storytelling format. The humor is also easy for a child in the 4-7 age range to understand. By this point they are figuring out how to dress themselves and seeing the routine subverted at the end is funny. Furthermore, the vocabulary is easy for a beginning reader to grasp. There are only a few speech bubbles on any given page and they flow logically so a small child can easily grasp how it should be read. This book won a Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Award in 2009 and it was well-deserved.

1. Henkes, K. (2013). Penny and her marble. Greenwillow Books
2. This book follows young Penny, who finds a captivating marble in her neighbor’s yard one day. She takes the marble home and later sees her neighbor looking around the yard. Mortified that she may have taken her neighbor’s possession, she worries herself sick until she can take bit back. In the end, her neighbor says she meant it for someone who would take it an love it, and Penny keeps the marble.
3. This book is good for beginner readers because of the simple sentence structure, and vocabulary words. The structure of the story itself is quite respective. Penny uses her imagination on her playtime walks in formulaic ways that will allow young readers to catch on to the structure of the story. When Penny feels guilty, her guilt exhibits in the same way across a few pages, and both her parents ask her the same questions about why she does not feel well. The story is set up in such a way that allows for repeat words, so that readers may learn through repetition, but the story moves along with an appropriate pace to allow for novelty on each page to capture the attention and curiosity of readers, so the story does not get boring to read.

Danny and the Dinosaur: School Days
Hoff, S. (2017). Danny and the dinosaur school days. Harper Collins.
Danny goes to school everyday and always makes it sound like fun. The dinosaur decides to go with Danny one day to see what makes school so wonderful.
Danny and the Dinosaur School Days is very effective as a beginner reader book. It has everything from short simple sentences, to art that matches the story, to repetitive language, to positive feelings about school. One of my favorite aspects though is it made for kids. If a child loves dinosaurs, the entire series is a wonderful way to peak their interest in reading! It covers numerous aspects without being overwhelming, and allows for children to ask questions, or even tell the story as they go based on the pictures.

1. Catrow, D. (2024). My dog is best (D. Catrow, Illus.). Holiday House.

2. This beginning reader book celebrates the special bond between children and their dogs through simple, repetitive text and expressive illustrations. Each page highlights a different reason why every child believes their dog is the best.

3. My Dog Is Best is an excellent example of an effective beginning reader book. The short, repetitive sentences support word recognition and fluency, while the illustrations carry much of the narrative making it easy for emerging readers to use picture cues to comprehend meaning. The diversity of the children and dogs pictured also makes the story relatable for a wide range of young readers.

Henry, like always by Jenn Bailey
The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink by Shannon Hale
The mystery of the painted fan by Linda Trinh
Ways to grow love by Reńee Watson
Heidi Heckelbeck, #35 : sunshine magic by Wanda Coven



1.Watson, R., & Mata, N. (2021). Ways to grow love. Bloomsbury Publishing


2.In this middle-grade novel, Renée Watson continues the story of Ryan Hart, a spirited young Black girl growing up in Portland, Oregon. Set during the summer before fifth grade, Ryan navigates the arrival of a new sibling, changes in family routines, and the evolving dynamics of friendship. Through everyday moments like helping her mom, preparing for her baby sister, and attending summer camp. Ryan learns that love grows through patience, generosity, and self-understanding.

3. In a place called Portland, there is an independent, selfless and cheeky girl called Ryan Hart. Ryan lives with her Mom, Dad, Brother Ray and soon to be baby sister. Ryan is a bit mad at her baby sister since all their summer plans have been diverted because of their Mom being pregnant. She spends the summer learning new ways to love and grow with the family throughout the summer. Ryan learned a big lesson and was guided at the end to a happy result. The character and experience is relatable, making it easy to read for kids but also a fun book to enjoy during the summer or for transitional stage ages like 8-12. The small illustrations in some pages give way to bringing the book to life. Ryan and Ray get into a heap of challenges before the baby comes.