Published on Burlington County Library System (https://www.bcls.lib.nj.us)

Home > Notable Children's Books for Younger Readers

Notable Children's Books for Younger Readers [1]

A red chicken, a "hip-pocket" papa frog and twins named Ling and Ting make it to the interesting cast of characters in these notable books recommended by the Association for Library Services to Children. Read a story-in-rhyme or find a humorous tale to read over and over again!

April and Esme, Tooth Fairies  [2] by Bob Graham.
On their first assignment, two young tooth fairy sisters journey by night into the huge world of humans to collect a young boy's tooth and fly it safely home.

Back of the Bus  [3] by Aaron Reynolds. 
A young boy and his mother take a familiar ride on a city bus unaware of the historic event they are about to witness: passenger Rosa Parks refuses to move from her seat.

Big Red Lollipop [4]  by Rukhsana Khan. 
Rubina’s excitement over an invitation to a birthday party is dimmed by her mother’s insistence that she take her younger sister Sana with her.

Bink and Gollie [5] by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee.
Dissimilar, yet steadfast friends, celebrate the ups and downs of their daily escapades in three lively chapters that explore compromise, asserting independence, and jealousy. Geisel Award Book

Chalk [6] by Bill Thomson. 
In this wordless picture book, three young children arrive at the park to find a bag of colored chalk that turns their imaginary drawings into something very real.

City Dog, Country Frog [7] by Mo Willems.
Unleashed on his visit to the country, a dog meets a new friend in frog and together they experience the seasons and the cycle of life.

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin [8] by Duncan Tonatiuh.
The universality of childhood experiences is shown through the lives of two cousins, one in the United States and one in Mexico.

Fiesta Babies [9] by Carmen Tafolla. Illus. by Amy C órdova.
The simple rhyme scheme is embellished by colorful illustrations of multicultural babies and toddlers celebrating at a local fiesta. Belpré Illustrator Honor Book

Grandma’s Gift [10] by Eric Velasquez. Illus. by the author.
This personal tale is based on the author’s special relationship with his grandmother, who influenced his dream of becoming an artist. Belpré Illustrator Award

Hip-Pocket Papa [11] by Sandra Markle.
The papa hip-pocket frog from Australia, who carries his babies in his hip pocket, is introduced with attractive watercolor illustrations.

Interrupting Chicken [12] by David Ezra Stein. Illus. by the author.
It's time for the little red chicken's bedtime story -and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can't help herself! She jumps into the story to save its hapless characters from doing some dangerous or silly thing. Now it's the little red chicken's turn to tell a story, but will her yawning papa make it to the end without his own kind of interrupting?. Caldecott Honor Book

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! [13] by Grace Lin.
Six vignettes chronicle the daily adventures of identical twins as they get haircuts, make dumplings, perform magic and take a trip to the library. Geisel Honor Book

LMNO Peas [14] by Keith Baker.
Tiny green peas take readers on a fun, whimsical tour of the alphabet.

Pecan Pie Baby [15] by Jacqueline Woodson.
Unlike her friends and relatives, Gia is not looking forward to the birth of her first sibling, "that ding-dang baby".

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes [16] by Salley Mavor.
Familiar and lesser known nursery rhymes, illustrated with superb needlework and appliqué, create a charming dollhouse of a book.

The Quiet Book  [17] by Deborah Underwood. 
Quiet comes in many varieties, from “Sleeping sister quiet” to “First snowfall quiet” to “Right before you yell ‘SURPRISE’ quiet”.  

Rubia and the Three Osos  [18] by Susan Middleton Elya. 
A bouncy, rhyming story about a little golden-haired niña who helps herself to everything in the house of the three bears.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee [19] by Philip C. Stead. Illus. by Erin E. Stead.
Zookeeper Amos McGee gets the sniffles and receives a surprise visit from his caring animal friends. Caldecott Medal

Tuck Me In [20] by Dean Hacohen.
Readers interact with this deceptively simple good-night book, tucking sweet animals into bed.

We Are in a Book! [21] by Mo Willems. Illus. by the author.
Elephant and Piggie discover that someone, the reader, is looking at them in this hilarious, interactive story about the joys of reading and being read. Geisel Honor Book

Yucky Worms  [22] by Vivian French.
While digging with Grandma in the garden, a child learns why earthworms are so important in helping plants grow.

Topic Guide: 

  • Kids

Source URL: https://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/notable-childrens-books-younger-readers

Links:
[1] https://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/notable-childrens-books-younger-readers
[2] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=359952
[3] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=345851
[4] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=346340
[5] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=357213
[6] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=349474
[7] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=348046
[8] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=346342
[9] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=346649
[10] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=360602
[11] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=343486
[12] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=354717
[13] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=350963
[14] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=346349
[15] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=356709
[16] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=358129
[17] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=347684
[18] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=360635
[19] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=350973
[20] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=357231
[21] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=355956
[22] https://bcls.polarislibrary.com/polaris/view.aspx?cn=346793