The Magic Show Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Magic Show Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is number four in the Adventures of Benny and Watch series which is a young reader version of the Boxcar Children series. While focusing mainly on little Benny and his dog, Watch, it includes all the children and their Grandfather. In this short book you'll read about Benny learning to do some magic tricks and the fun that he has teaching Watch to help him. I highly recommend reading this to preschool age children or giving it to a first or second grade child to read on their own.

Meet the Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Meet the Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I never knew about this series until Micah received it for Christmas. It is the cutest set of early reader books based on the original series of The Boxcar Kids. They are simplified and condensed to a young reader level, but still follow the basic outline of the older version. Each page has colorful illustrations and the story line is from the perspective of young Benny. I highly recommend this book - and this series - which is probably best for a first to second grade reading level or ages 4 to 8 for reading together.

Ruby’s Perfect Day & More I Can Read! Ruby Books by Susan Hill

Ruby's Perfect Day by Susan Hill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

All of the I Can Read! books about Ruby, published by Zonderkids, are wonderful books for children learning to read. Not only do they help kids at a beginning reading level, but they teach wonderful biblical truth at the same time. I give 5 stars to Ruby's Perfect Day, Ruby Bakes A Cake, and Ruby Paints A Picture because of the strong biblical message and emphasis they have along with being wholesome stories for my Kindergarten and First Grade children to read. These books prove that even simple I Can Read! books can have a powerful impact on a child's development.

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These review copies were provided courtesy of Zonderkids but the opinions expressed are strictly that of my own.

Frank and Beans and S’More Trouble by Kathy-Jo Wargin

   Frank and Beans and S'More Trouble by Kathy-Jo Wargin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Frank and Beans and S'More Trouble is a wonderful book for a first-grader to read with just a little help from an adult. Not only is it perfect for their reading level, but it's story is funny, age-appropriate, and has a great bible-based lesson, too. My 6-year-old daughter, who is an average reader, read it with only a little bit of help and she really enjoyed the story that taught patience as well as reading skills. I greatly appreciated the fact that it was more than just a lesson for pure academic growth and that she could learn about something that a 6-year-old struggles with a lot. This is a great "I Can Read!" book!

 

Frank and Beans by Kathy-Jo Wargin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Frank and Beans is a wonderful beginner reader for 5 to 7 year olds that not only will teach them to read, but help them to learn some important lessons as well.

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Thanks to Zonderkids for providing the courtesy review copy.

See How They Grow Books By DK

Kitten: See How They Grow by Angela Royston

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book shows children in a very simple way how kittens grow. Starting from birth to 10 weeks old, it gives real life pictures of adorable little kittens. This delightful little book also includes stickers for kids to use or collect in a sticker book. It's meant for preschool age kids, but can be fun for early elementary, too.

 

Chick by DK Publishing

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Every child is curious about farm animals and this is a good one for toddler and preschoolers to younger elementary ages. In real life pictures and simple words, this book shows you the life of a chicken from egg to 8 weeks old. The real life stickers included make a great fun activity for your kids, also!

 

See How They Grow Pig with Sticker by Mary Ling

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From a newborn piglet to a one-and-a-half-year-old Mama pig, this simple children's book shows kids the life of a pig in real pictures. It is fun to read and fun to look at the pictures. And kids love the stickers that come with it, too!

 

Puppy: See How They Grow by Angela Royston

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Who doesn't like to look at cute pictures of puppies?! Your kids will read and read and read some more when they get their hands on this adorable, yet simple book for kids. It shows and explains the life of a puppy from birth to 8 weeks old in real life pictures and in simple words. It includes stickers for kids to have fun with, too!

Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fun story about a cute puppy makes your young reader want to read. Twenty-four pages with words repeated over and over help the young reader become familiar and confident while enjoying the process.

It is nice to find an early-reader that is fun to read and has a wholesome storyline. This would be a good book for a child to read aloud to siblings for practice and entertainment.

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For more early-reading recommendations or cautions, please check out this list of reviews.

Roadwork by Walt Disney Company

Roadwork by Walt Disney Company

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A post CARS story picks up with the cars of Radiator Springs getting ready for many visitors now that Lightening McQueen lives there. Easy to read and a fun story for those who like CARS.

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For more Beginner Reading book click here.

King Midas And The Golden Touch

King Midas and the Golden Touch by Al Perkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Al Perkins gives a cute rendition in Beginner Book style of the old fable of King Midas. Fun illustrations and a fabulous lesson all wrapped up into a short and easy book to read to kids or for young readers to read themselves.

Pepe And Papa

Pepe and Papa by Linda Hayward

rating: 1 of 5 stars

I'm quite surprised by the fact that this is considered a "mile 1" book. I don't claim to know much about childhood reading levels, but this was not for Abby to read. Beyond that fact is the one that I didn't like this book due to the story line. It has the "poor horse" riding in a pick-up by the end of the story. I could sum it up by saying that I didn't appreciate it and would not recommend you read this when there are many other better books out there.

Cat Hat

Cat Hat by Michelle Knudsen

rating: 3 of 5 stars

Golden books has a series of books called "Road To Reading" that mark the readng levels by miles. I must say I think it's a cute concept! Today Abby and I read together this one and enjoyed it. I think it's actually a bit harder, but I would rather it be harder than too easy. This is a cute story with funny pictures.

Cats

Cats: The Sound of Short A by Alice K. Flanagan

rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was perfect for my daughter who just completed Kindergarten. She was able to read with ease and enjoyed the real life pictures of cats. It had enough repetition to make her comfortable -"See the cat on the mat", yet enough bigger words - "under" - to make it a slight challenge.

Put Me In The Zoo

Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire

rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy this book a lot because as I read it to my own children I can hear the voice of my grandmother reading it to me. Over 20 years ago we would cuddle up with her on the couch and she would read to us this classic story of a dog who wanted to be put into the zoo. When they send him away he begins to show a boy and a girl what he can do with his spots! He can do so many thing with his spots that they say he should forget the zoo and enter the circus.

This is a charming story that is easy to read for a beginning reader and fun to listen to no matter how old you are.