Here is a list of some beginning reader books that are my favorites. Of course Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel are classic beginning reader books. This list includes some newer titles that are certainly worth looking at.
Sometimes it is hard to figure out where your child is in regards to reading level. At the bottom of this list I have also included a list of some great beginning readers by levels as well. Any library will have a great selection of beginning reader books. The best thing is to take your child to the library and sit down in this section of the library and just enjoy looking and reading all types of beginning reader books. A great start towards a love of reading.
Beginning Readers
Benny and Penny in Just Pretend a Toon book by Geoffrey Hayes
Benny and Penny in the toy breaker
Benny and Penny in the big no-no!
Set up like a graphic novel/comic book this sweet little story makes reading fun for young kids. The pictures are great, vocabulary is ok but this a great start for reluctant readers because of the interest level and comic like book.
Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant (2nd step)
Fabulous story about a little boy and his new dog, Mudge. A friend and companion Mudge helps Henry get over some of his fears.
Puppy Mudge by Cynthia Rylant (1st step)
Mudge is Henry’s puppy and is he cute and cuddly and loves to roll in the mud.
Houndsley and Catina by James Howe
Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise
Houndsley and Catina: Pink and Plunk
This is a wonderful story of a dog and cat that are friends and trying to find what they are good at. While the pictures and vocabulary isn’t great for beginning readers, the moral is wonderful. This set would be great for readers at level 3 and 4.
Little Rat Rides by Monika Bang-Campbell
Little Rat Makes Music
Little Rat Sets Sail - 2nd and 3rd and 4th step readers
This is an adorable little series about a little rat and his adventures. The pictures are colorful and there is lots of humor in the storyline.
Pearl and Wagner: Three Secrets
Pearl and Wagner: Four Eyes
Pearl and Wagner two good friends
Pearl and Wagner one Funny Day by Kate McMullan
Pearl and Wagner are two good friends who make a trash-eating robot together, impress a judge at the science fair, and tell each other the truth (even when it hurts!). They may be two very different individuals-Pearl, a hardworking rabbit and Wagner, a daydreaming mouse-but they know how to make up and stay good friends no matter what.
Pinky and Rex by James Howe
Pinky and Rex and the Just-Right Pet
Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee
Pinky and Rex and the New Baby
Pinky and Rex go to camp
Pinky and Rex and the Bully
Pinky has twenty-seven stuffed animals, and Rex has twenty-seven dinosaurs. They have everything the same, and that's the way it should be with best friends. So what do they do when there's only one pink dinosaur in the museum gift shop, and they both want it? Could Pinky's pesky little sister Amanda have the answer? A sweet story about friendship. Great early chapter books.
Rafi and Rosi by Lulu Delacre
Rafi and Rosi Carnival
A book of several stories about Rafi and Rosi, Puerto Rican brother and sister tree frogs, who use Spanish terms.
I Spy Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
Fly High, Fly Guy!
Hooray for Fly Guy!
Super Fly Guy!
Shoo Fly Guy!
This is a great series that began with a boy searching for a smart animal to take to The Amazing Pet Show. He bumps into a fly that is intelligent enough to say the child’s name, Buzz. Although his parents and the judges feel at first that a fly is only a pest, not a pet, the insect puts on a performance that astounds them all and wins an award.
Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant
Poppleton, a most interesting pig, lives in a charming house in the country having many different adventures. The illustrations are fabulous and what I love about Poppleton are his expressions.
Poppleton and Friends
Poppleton Everyday
Poppleton Forever
Poppleton has Fun
Poppleton in Spring
Poppleton in Winter
Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas
Short and Tall
The Collectors
Cork and Fuzz: Finders Keepers
Good Sports
The Babysitters
Cork and Fuzz: Best Friends
Cork and Fuzz, a muskrat and a possum, meet and discover that they have nothing in common. One eats beetles and the other eats "veggie stuff"; one loves the water and the other can't float. They are both bored, however, and each is looking for a friend.
Some Beginning Reader Books by Levels
Readers 1
Dr. Seuss
It’s not easy being a bunny
Biscuit by Capucilli
An Elephant and Piggie Book (series) by Mo Willems
Ruby’s Perfect Day by Susan Hill (series)
Nina, Nina Ballerina by Jane O’Connor
Robin Hill School Series by Margaret McNamara
Readers 2
Minnie and Moo (reader 2 and 3) by Denys Cazet (great little series)
Anything by the author Hoff (they are old but good ones- Grizzwold is a great one)
Henny and Penny by Geoffrey Hayes (toon books)
Houndsley and Catina by Howe
Goose and Duck by George
Readers 3
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
Any of Cynthia Rylant’s books (Poppleton, Mr. Putter and Tabby, The High-Rise Private Eye)
Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mouse by Wong Yee (could be considered reader 4 as well)
Bear’s Hiccups by Marion Bauer
Ling and Ting by Grace Lin
Pearl and Wagner by Kate McMullan
Rafi and Rosi by Lulu Delacre (series)
Rose and Riley by Cutler (series)
Readers 4
Amelia Bedelia by Parish
Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas
Pish and Posh by Barbara Bottner
Yoko and Friends (easy readers by Rosemary Wells)
Commander Toad (Intergalactic series)
