Books for the Beginning Reader at the Vineland Public Library

What should my child be able to read?
Parents have questions about their child's reading abilities at certain ages. Here are some interesting facts about what your child should be able to do at different grade levels.

Grade 1: Children are ready to read. This doesn't mean they should actually be able to read. Children should be able to recognize and make the sounds of various letters of the alphabet. Children should also be able to read and write their first name.

Grade 2: This year children should move from being a beginning reader to being a competent, fluent or advanced reader.

Grade 3: Children should be strengthening and broadening their reading skills.
(From www.scholastic.com/smartparenting)

What is the best way to choose books for my child?
The best solution is letting the child participate in choosing the book. If this is not possible, pick an easier book the first time. You can always get a more difficult book next time.
(From Choosing Books for Kids, 142)

What should my child read?
The Vineland Public Library has a number of beginning reader books. Please ask the librarian for the location of these books. Please consult the librarian for more advanced books for older readers. Our reading books range from levels 1 through 6. Please note that these levels do not reflect grade level and that children may be able to read books in various levels.

The following is a booklist of recommended beginning readers. Call numbers appear in bold. Please ask the Children's Librarian for the exact location of the books.

Kindergarten - First Grade

Big Brown Bear by David McPhail
Big Brown Bear is all blue! What happened?
J Rea 1 McPhail David

Swing Otto Swing! by David Milgrim
When Otto has trouble learning to swing on vines like his monkey friends, he decides to make his own swingset instead.
J Rea 1 Mil

Tiny Goes to the Library by Cari Meister
Tiny and his best friend go everywhere together. What happens when they go to the library together where no dogs are allowed?
J Rea 1 Meister, Cari

Thingy Thing books by Chris Raschka
By using simple sounds paired with easy word repetitions, this series teaches children how to read.
JE Raschka

First - Second Grade

The Chick That Wouldn't Hatch by Claire Daniel
There are six eggs in Mother Hen's nest, but only five chicks hatch. What's happened to the sixth?
J Rea 2 Daniel Claire

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
When Danny visits the museum, he becomes friends with the largest object there, a dinosaur. Together they go out and enjoy the day.
J Rea 2 Hof

Word Bird books by Jane Belk Moncure
Learn to make words with Word Bird and his friends. Each word they make leads them to a new activity.
JE Mon

Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant
Read about the adventures of a young boy and his dog.
J Rea 4 Ryl

Shoe Town by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
There isn't enough room in mama mouse's shoe house. When friends come by to share, what will she do?
J Rea 2 Stevens, Janet

Second Grade

Young Cam Jansen series by David Adler
Cam Jansen can find a mystery anywhere. With her amazing photographic memory and help from her friend Eric, she tracks down the crook and solve the mystery.
J Rea 2 Adl

A is For Amber series by Paula Danziger
Read about six-year-old Amber Brown and her best friend Justin.
J Rea 4 Dan

Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
Tales relate the adventures of two friends.
J Rea 4 Lob

The High-Rise Private Eyes series by Cynthia Rylant
Detectives and friends Bunny Brown and Jack Jones are crime stoppers in this action packed series.
J Rea 4 Ryl

For the more advanced reader

Cam Jansen Adventure series by David Adler
Fans of Young Cam Jansen will want to read about the continuing adventures of Cam Jansen in this series.
JPB Adl

Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
Ramona is always getting into trouble. Her older sister Beezus is always getting her out of scrapes, but Ramona has the habit of doing the most unpredictable, annoying and embarrassing things. Join Ramona on her childhood adventures.
J Fic Cle

Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger
Amber Brown is older in this series. Her parents are divorced and have joint custody of her. As a result , she suffers from lack of self-esteem and feels that she is a piece of jointly-owned property.
J Fic Danziger

Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie discover a hidden tree house filled with magic books that can take them places. Join them on their many adventures.
JPB Osb/J Fic Osb

Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
Read about all the antics that gets kindergartener Junie B. Jones into trouble. You'll be sure to laugh!
JPB Par/J Fic Par

The information on this page was created by the Vineland Public Library in conjunction with a Literacy Grant from the New Jersey State Library with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through its Grants to States program.

If you have comments or suggestions, email Samantha Tai, Children's Outreach Librarian

Last updated 07/08