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 Good Books for Grades 1 & 2

 

 

 

• A few children may learn to read before they are in the first grade. Most learn during first grade. Many learn even later.

• For reading to or with children, select picture books with strong storylines and character development.

• For the child who is reading independently, choose a book with a straightforward story employing words that will be familiar from everyday use. Some publishers produce books, generally called "easy readers" which independent readers often enjoy.

• A lot of informational books have been published for the early grades. These books encourage children to read about topics that interest them and to satisfy their curiosity about complex subjects.

 

 

 
Quick Picks From RIF

* The following list of books was compiled by the ALSC Quicklists Committee for Reading Is Fundamental.

Henkes, Kevin
Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum hates her long, unusual name--until her teacher makes her see how special it is.

Howe, James
Pinky & Rex

Best friends, Pinky and Rex, visit the museum with Pinky's pesky little sister, Amanda.

Marshall, James
Fox in Love

Fox falls in love (several times) and enters a dance contest.

Lobel, Arnold
Frog and Toad are Friends

Frog and Toad share adventures of stories, lost buttons, and letters.

Minarik, Elsa
A Kiss for Little Bear

The animals in the forest carry a thank-you kiss to Little Bear from his Grandmother.

Palatini, Margie
Piggie Pie

A romp through Old MacDonald's farm as Greedy Witch tries to capture some piggies to make Piggie Pie, her favorite dish. Outrageously disguised as other farm animals, the pigs outwit her. Greedy Witch and the wolf leave together to console each other; each imagining the other as a nice delectable sandwich.

Parish, Peggy
Amelia Bedelia

The results are hilarious when Amelia Bedelia follows directions and takes literal-minded action.

Parish, Peggy
Amelia Bedelia & the Baby

Amelia Bedelia babysits with hilarious results.

Rylant, Cynthia
Henry and Mudge: the First Book of Their Adventures

Part of an easy-to-read series, Henry, feleling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big lovable 180 pound dog named Mudge.

Waber, Bernard
Ira Sleeps Over

When Ira sleeps at his best friend's house, he is reluctant to let his friend know about his teddy bear, but he discovers his friend has a bear of his own.

 

 

Classic Authors & Illustrators

STAN AND JAN BERENSTAIN — A prolific team captures the rhythms of children's language in engaging stories.
The Berenstain Bears & The Honey Tree
The Berenstain Bears Are A Family

JAN BRETT — A meticulous artist weaves subplots and intricate details into creative borders to extend the meaning carried in the central pictures.
The Mitten
Annie and the Wild Animals

MARC BROWN — Marc Brown presents a warm, witty and sometimes poignant look at facing a bully, losing a tooth, or accepting a new baby sister.
Arthur's Baby
Play Rhythm

MARCIA BROWN — Marcia Brown adapts the art style (woodcuts, intricate cut paper, flamboyant cartoon, delicate watercolor) to enrich the special meaning of each story.
Once A Mouse
Three Billy Goats Gruff

ANTHONY BROWNE — His startling images and subtle messages in art and story make us see the world in a new way.
The Piggybook
Gorilla

JOANNA COLE — Superb informational books present straight facts in photo essays or combine facts with riotous humor in the Magic School Bus books.
Magic School Bus Lost in The Solar System
My Puppy Is Born

BARBARA COONEY — Gentle stories and beautiful art touch the heart and leave deep thoughts to ponder. New England scenes are especially provocative.
Miss Rumphius
Ox Cart Man (D. Hall)

TOMIE DEPAOLA — Tomie tells wonderful Irish and Italian family stories using strong black line and folk-art style.
The Art Lesson
Strega Nona

LEO AND DIANE DILLON — Both artists work on the same piece of art often characterized by an opulent, iridescent quality.
Aida (Leontyne Price)
Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears (V. Aardema)

ELOISE GREENFIELD — Poet and storyteller captures the language and melodies and strong African-American family images in her poetry and prose.
Honey I Love
Nathaniel Talking

TRINA SCHART HYMAN — Meticulous art and extensive research enable Hyman to portray Arthurian England authentically or childhood memories vividly.
Little Red Riding Hood
Saint George and The Dragon (M. Hodges)

WILLIAM JOYCE — Broad humor in comically expressive animals and playful language make Joyce's books fun to read aloud or alone.
Bentley and Egg
Dinosaur Bob

STEVEN KELLOGG — A heap of comic-strip detail spills from Kellogg's splashy, riotous, color-filled pages and causes children to pore over them.
Pinkerton, Behave
Paul Bunyan

LEO LIONNI — Deeper meanings permeate Lionni's stories more than the elegant, sophisticated collage and design art might suggest.
Frederick
Swimmy

ARNOLD LOBEL — Delicate and decorative art on attractively designed pages invites thoughtful probing.
Frog and Toad Are Friends
Fables

JAMES MARSHALL — Cartoon-like drawings of unique characters present unexpected humor and spoofs. A pair of hippos, a substitute teacher, and a lovable prankster guarantee laugh-out-loud joy.
The Cut-Ups Crack Up
George and Martha

ROBERT MCCLOSKEY — Superb, classic works that convey the importance of small but significant moments in a child's life.
Blueberries For Sal
Make Way for Ducklings

EMILY MCCULLY — She creates wordless books in cartoon style and elaborate stories with Impressionist-style art.
Mirette On The High Wire
School

JERRY PINKNEY — He paints from live models, often African-Americans, in a realistic style using full-color art and well-crafted scenes.
The Talking Eggs (R. San Souci)
Mirandy And Brother Wind (P. McKissack)

JAMES E. RANSOME — Talented young African-American artist portrays characters realistically in historical or contemporary scenes.
Uncle Jed's Barbershop (M.K. Mitchell)
How Many Stars In The Sky? (L. Hort)

MAURICE SENDAK — A superb artist whose books invite rereading and whose illustrations beg for repeated viewing.
Where The Wild Things Are
The Nutshell Library

DR. SEUSS (THEODOR S. GEISEL) — Creative genius whose spontaneous art and lilting lines sing children into reading on their own.
The Cat In The Hat
Horton Hears A Who

CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG — Van Allsburg gets you to think. He presents something that seems predictable but catches you by surprise when he turns it on end.
Jumanji
The Polar Express

VERA B. WILLIAMS — She conveys the simple strength of multicultural families who share love and unity.
A Chair For My Mother
"More, More, More," Said The Baby

JANE YOLEN — Enchanting storyteller and poet holds a moment in time to capture past, present, or future in word songs.
Owl Moon
Street Rhymes Around The World

ED YOUNG — Sophisticated simplicity describes the art he uses to retell Asian-American folklore.
Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story From China
Seven Blind Mice

CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW — Gentle stories play on the heartstrings and cause children to think about their world and relationships in a new way.
William's Doll
Mr. Rabbit And The Lovely Present

 

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