Before Entering Kindergarten

Aylesworth: Naughty Little Monkeys c2003 alphabet books
Twenty-six monkeys get into mischief when their parents go out for the evening in this rhyming alphabet book.

Bang: When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry... c1999 character
Sophie expresses her anger when she must surrender a toy to her sister.

Crews: The Neighborhood Mother Goose c2004 nursery rhymes, diversity
This collection of nursery rhymes features the familiar and unfamiliar, all set in the city.

DePaola: Stagestruck c2005 school story
When Tommy is disappointed that he doesn’t land the lead in the kindergarten play, he tries to steal the show anyway.

Drachman: A Frog Thing c2005 humor
Frank the frog learns self-acceptance.

Ehlert: Pie in the Sky c2004 family fiction
As a father and his child view the cherry tree in their back yard, they refer to it as a pie tree. Includes a recipe.

Ehlert: Mole’s Hill: A Woodland Tale c1994 folklore
In this Native American folk tale, Mole looks for a way to save her underground home when Fox tells her she has to move.

Ernst: Gingerbread Girl c2006 fairy tale
The gingerbread girl outsmarts that doggone fox and triumphs.

Kimmel: The Gingerbread Man c1993 fairy tale
This familiar fairy tale features a gingerbread man who runs away from the woman who bakes him and meets other animals along the way, including a clever fox.

Penn:The Kissing Hand c1993 family story
Chester Raccoon is afraid to attend kindergarten until his mother shows him a special way to take her love along.

Pfister: Rainbow Fish stories animal stories
The most beautiful fish in the ocean with the shimmering silver scales discovers the beauty of sharing.

Prelutsky: Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young c1986 poetry
This collection of 200 short poems is designed for young children and includes illustrations that correlate with the poems.

Shannon: David Goes to School c.1999 humor
David's school behavior needs to be improved.

Sierra: Counting Crocodiles c1997 counting, rhyming
A monkey outsmarts ten crocodiles that stand between her and a banana tree by using her ability to count.

Sierra: Wild About Books c2004 animals, humor
A librarian accidentally drives her bookmobile to the zoo and subsequently reads a Dr. Seuss book to the animals.

Taback: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat c1999 diversity
Joseph starts out with an overcoat and ends with a button.

Thompson: Little Quack c2003 animal story
Mama Duck encourages her four ducklings to leave the nest. The youngest and smallest, Little Quack, proves to be the most reluctant.

Williams: ‘More More More’ said the Baby: 3 Love Stories c1990 family fiction
Father, Mother and Grandmother playfully and lovingly toss three babies in the air.

Wood: Alphabet Adventure c2001 alphabet book
The letters of the alphabet join the search to help "i" find her dot in order to continue their journey in this colorful alphabet book.

Wood:The Napping House c1984 sleep, fiction
While a number of creatures sleep, a flea causes a commotion among them with just one bite.

Asher: Too Many Frogs c2005 animals, humor
Each night Froggie interrupts Rabbit's cozy home for a read-aloud story.

Bailey: Stanley’s Party c2003 dogs, humor
When a dog’s owners leave for the evening, he gets into a lot of mischief.

Brett: Goldilocks and the Three Bears c1987 fairy tale
This favorite fairy tale features a young girl who enters the home of three bears who are not at home.

Bruel: Bad Kitty c2005 alphabet book
Finding that there is no food in the house, a kitty chooses to be very bad.

Carle: Mister Seahorse c2004 animals, fiction
Mrs. Seahorse lays her eggs, after which Mr. Seahorse carries the eggs through the sea, greeting other fish fathers.

Cronin: Dooby, Dooby, Moo c2004animal humor
Duck organizes the farm animals for a talent show at the county fair. The first prize is a trampoline.

Cronin: Diary of a Fly c2005 insect, humor
While keeping a diary, the young fly records how hard it is to be an insect.

Fleming: The First Day of Winter c2005 counting, rhyming, diversity
In the first ten days of winter a child brings a snowman to life in a style similar to The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Hoffman: Amazing Grace c1991 ethnic diversity
Grace is told by a fellow classmate that she can’t play Peter Pan in the school play because of her black skin color, but she learns she can do anything she tries to do.

Lester: Hooway for Wodney Wat c1999 fantasy, abilities awareness
Students in Rodney’s class make fun of him, because he can’t pronounce his name properly; but it is his speech problem that helps to punish the class bully.

McKinley: One Smile c2002 kindness
While walking through the park with her mother, a child smiles at a discouraged stranger and sets off a chain of events that spreads kindness and comes full circle.

Numeroff: Beatrice Doesn't Want To c2004 realistic fiction, humor
Beatrice Doesn't Like to Read, but a librarian changes her attitude during a story session in this humorous, well illustrated book.

Rathmann: Officer Buckle and Gloria c1995 safety, fiction
When Officer Buckle delivers safety speeches at a local elementary school, the students don’t listen until his police dog Gloria accompanies him.

Scotton: Russell the Sheep c2005 animals, fiction
Russell experiments with many different ways to fall asleep.

Seuss: The Cat in the Hat c1957 classic
On a rainy day, two children are visited by a cat who shows them games and tricks.

Shannon: A Bad Case of Stripes c1998 individuality, fiction
A girl who is always concerned about what others think of her wakes up one day to discover she is covered with stripes.

Silverman: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days c2007 (series chapter book) fiction
Kate wants to go to school, but her horse wants to go too!

Cannon: Crickwing c2000 insects, fiction
Crickwing the cockroach saves the day for the leaf-cutter ants when their forest enemies attack them.

Crews: Below c2006 fiction
When Jack drops his action figure into a mysterious hole, he has to devise a rescue.

Ernst: Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen c2005 fantasy animals, humor
Although Sylvia Jean owns plenty of costumes, she struggles to come up with a costume for the big party.

Hoberman: You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together c2001 rhyming stories
This collection of short, rhythmic stories and cheerful art is designed to be read out loud by both child and adult.

James: Dear Mr. Blueberry c1991 letter writing
A teacher and his young student correspond with each other concerning an imaginary whale in the little girl’s pond.

Lobel: Frog and Toad stories classics
Each of the frog and toad stories include several short tales about two very good friends.

Mayer: Little Critter stories fantasy, animals
Little Critter is a small creature who is amazingly like a young human boy. His adventures take place with different members of his family who expose him to daily life experiences.

McKissack: Flossie and the Fox c1986 folklore, ethnic diversity
In this African American folk tale, a fox who is known for stealing eggs encounters a young girl who continues to deny that he is a fox without a lot of proof.

McKissack: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth c2000 character, ethnic diversity
A young girl promises not to ever lie but then discovers that there are times that one actually should not tell the entire truth.

McNaughton: Once Upon an Ordinary School Day c2004 school story
Mr. Gee, the new teacher, changes "ordinary" when he challenges all the children to use their imaginations.

Numeroff: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and sequels c1985 cumulative tales
When a mouse requests a cookie, a cycle of events occurs that brings the reader full circle.

Pallotta: Dory/story c2000 sea story, fiction
Danny's ocean adventures are completely enchanting, even if they take place in the bathtub.

Parish: Amelia Bedelia stories classics, fiction
Amelia Bedelia, who is a housekeeper, is very literal minded when others give her directions; the results are hilarious.

Pearson: Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed c2002 kindness, fiction
When young Mary secretly leaves berries on a lady’s porch, the kindness is multiplied many times over by others.

Polacco: Aunt Chip and the Triple Creek Dam Affair c1996 TV, reading, fiction
Since the invasion of television, no one can remember how to read.

Rylant: Henry and Mudge stories family, dogs, humor
A young boy named Henry and his dog Mudge share many adventures with Henry’s parents and other important people in his life.

Schachner: Skippyjon Jones c2003 humor
This Siamese kitten spends his "time-out" imagining himself as "El-Skippito" who comes to the rescue of some Chihuahuas.

Stevens: And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon c2001 nursery rhymes
From the Mother Goose nursery rhyme, Dish and Spoon run away. Concerned about the fate of the rhyme, Cat, Cow and Dog set out to find them.

Waber: The House On East 88th Street c1962 crocodiles, classic
When Lyle the Crocodile appears in the bathtub of the Primm family, the family is very upset; but Lyle soon wins their hearts.

Woodson: The Other Side c2001 friendship, ethnic diversity
A fence divides a town where two girls - one white and one black - sit and gradually become acquainted.

Banks: Max's Words c2006 fiction
Max wants to start a collection since his brothers collect coins and stamps. Max decides to collect words and discovers the importance of how words are put together to create stories.

Bridges: Ruby’s Wish c2002 historical fiction, ethnic diversity
During the 1800s in China, when few girls learn to read and write, Ruby fervently desires to attend university with all the males in her family.

Bunting: One Green Apple c2006 historical fiction, ethnic diversity
Farah is new to the U.S. and her class. She feels alone until she goes on a field trip and realizes things are alike everywhere.

Christelow: Where’s the Big Bad Wolf c2002 folk and fairy tale
Every time the three pigs get in trouble the big bad wolf is nowhere to be found.

Cox: Butterfly Buddies c2001 friendship, school story
In this transition to chapter book story, two students working together on a project study the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly and learn how important it is to feel accepted.

Curtis: The Bat Boy and His Violin c1998 sports, music, ethnic diversity
Reginald loves to play his violin, but Papa wants him to be outdoors more and enlists him as the bat boy for the baseball team Papa manages. Reginald plays his violin in the dugout, and the team improves.

Demi: One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale c1997 folklore, math
A clever village girl outsmarts a selfish raja as one grain of rice doubles each day and becomes millions of grains of rice.

DiCamillo: Mercy Watson to the Rescue c2005 animal, fantasy, humor
Cute little pig Mercy is happy until the lights turn off at night, and she decides to join her owners in their bed.

Goble: The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses c1978 folklore, ethnic diversity
In this folk tale, a Native-American girl prefers to live with the wild horses with which she feels happy and free, even though she loves her people.

Grindley: Dear Max c2004 fiction
Max begins writing letters to his favorite author, D. J. Lucas. Together they share the problems of being a 9-year-old who is being bullied and a famous author who is having trouble with her next book.

Holm: Babymouse c2005 graphic fiction, friendship, imagination
A little mouse with a big imagination learns about true friendship and popularity.

Johnson: Just Like Josh Gibson c2007 sports fiction, historical fiction
A grandmother recounts the story of the day she was allowed to play in a baseball game, even though she was a girl.

Kerrin: Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! c2007 fiction
Martin means well, but his ideas don’t always turn out as expected. In three stand-alone chapters, Martin deals with issues at home and school.

Pinkney: The Ugly Duckling c1999 fairy tale
This adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic portrays an unhappy year for an ugly duckling who eventually grows up and transforms into a beautiful swan.

Preller: Jigsaw Jones series mystery
Jigsaw Jones and his friend Mila put together pieces of information to solve various mysteries.

Stilton: The Geronimo Stilton series mice, fantasy, mystery
Geronimo Stilton is a mouse newspaper editor and journalist who travels the world to chase important interviews but winds up in the middle of adventures that involve solving intriguing mysteries.

Tunnell: Mailing May c1997 historical fiction
Five-year-old May wishes to visit her grandmother, but the train is too expensive. May's father and cousin concoct a clever means of sending the child after all.

Willey: Clever Beatrice c2001 folklore
In this folk tale, a clever young girl matches her wits against a rich giant and wins all his gold, saving her family from poverty.

Wyeth: Something Beautiful c2002 fiction
A young girl finds just how many different forms beauty can take when she searches her urban neighborhood.

Birney: The World Acording to Humphrey c2005 fiction, humor
Humphrey, a classroom hamster, surveys his surroundings and finds ways to help the children in the class.

Birney: The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs c2005 fiction
Set in 1923, a 12 year old boy is inspired to find wonders in his small town after reading about the Seven Wonders of the World.

Clements: The Lunch Money c1994 school, humor
Hart is a popular boy who sometimes "goofs off". When he hits the music teacher with a rubber band, he is put in charge of the holiday concert. Both Hart and his teacher learn lessons.

Curtis: Mr. Chickee's Funny Money c2005 mystery, ethnic diversity
Is the quadrillion dollar bill with a picture of soul singer James Brown that Steven Carter receives as a gift from his elderly blind neighbor real money? Steven, his friend Russell, and Russell's dog Zoopy decide to investigate.

Duffey: Hey, New Kid! c1996 school story
Jeremy worries about attending a new school, but he decides to make the best of it by reinventing himself in order to impress other students in his class.

Feelings: Soul Looks Back in Wonder c1993 poetry, ethnic diversity
Thirteen African American poets celebrate their heritage in their words and colorful illustrations created by Tom Feelings.

Flemings: The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School c2007 fiction, school
Mr. Jupiter becomes the 4th grade teacher of an unruly class with surprising results.

Grimes: Talkin' About Bessie c2002 biography, ethnic diversity
How Bessie Coleman became the first African-American woman to become a licensed pilot as told by her family and friends.

Gutman: My Weird School series c2006 school, humor
A fun series of books about school life that appeal to reluctant readers.

Howe: It Came From Beneath the Bed c2002 humor, fantasy
Uncle Harold, who wrote books about Bunnicula, helps Howie, his dachshund nephew to write a story in which he saves the world from a science experiment gone wrong.

Hurwitz: Fourth Grade Fuss c2004 school story
Julio and his friends enjoy their fourth grade activities - the yard sale, ice skating, and a surprise party; but the students get serious when they have to study for end-of-the-year statewide tests.

Kehret: Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays c1999 animals, non-fiction
Tells the story of 8 dogs who were saved from the animal shelter and went on to better lives.

MacDonald: No More Nasty c2001 humor, school story
An unruly fifth grade class receives a new perspective on learning from a substitute teacher who just happens to be Simon’s Great Aunt Matilda.

McDonald: Judy Moody c2000 humor, school story
On the first day of school, third grader Judy snaps out of her bad mood when she receives an assignment to create a collage all about herself.

Noble: The Last Brother (Tales of Young America series) c2006 historical fiction
Gabe becomes a bugler in the Civil War to protect his only surviving brother.

Pennypacker: Clementine c2006 fiction, series
Clementine is a funny, energetic, third grader with a talent for getting in trouble and a heart of gold.

Roy: A to Z Mysteries series, mystery stories
Elementary schoolers Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose work together to solve mysteries.

San Souci: The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club c2004 friendship, fiction
Brothers Bobby, Danny, and Mike decide to display the treasures they find on vacation and start a club with their friends.

Strickland: When Mack Came Back c2000 family, historical fiction
During World War II in rural Georgia, Maury’s older brother Ben enlists in the army, leaving Maury to care for Ben’s injured puppy and deal with their angry father.

Various authors: My America series historical fiction
These fiction stories are written in diary format and depict everyday children living during various time in American history.

Barry: Peter and the Starcatchers c2004 contemporary fantasy
Peter and a group of fellow orphans assist Molly, a Starcatcher, in guarding a trunk of “mysterious star substance” that has the ability to keep people young and let fly.

Collins: Gregor the Overlander c2003 fantasy fiction
Gregor and his two-year sister fall down a shaft in the basement and find a world of giant insects and rats. They become part of a huge battle.

DiCamillo: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane c2006 fantasy
Edward Tulane is a selfish, thoughtless toy rabbit until he loses the little girl who loves him.

Foreman: Summer of the Skunks c2002 historical fiction
Ten-year-old Jill lives with her family on a southern farm in the late 1940s.

Gorman: Dork in Disguise c1999 school story
When highly intelligent Jerry moves to a new town, he sets out to change his image from “dork” to “cool.”

Gutman: Baseball Card Adventure sports, historical fiction
A series of books where Joe travels back in time and meets famous players.

Hannigan: Ida B: --and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World c2004 realistic fiction, school story
Happy fourth grader Ida, who is home-schooled, enjoys playing in her family's apple orchard, until her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer and the financially strapped family must sell part of the orchard and enroll Ida in public school.

Hunter: Into the Wild c2003 animal fiction
Four clans of wild cats share a forest. One clan decides to change “hunting rites” and their peace is challenged

Lasky: The Capture (Guardians of Ga'Hoole series) c2003 fantasy
Soren, a barn owl, is knocked from his nest by his older brother and taken to St. Aggie's, a school for orphaned owls. He befriends Gylfie, an elf owl, and the two set out to save all owls from the perils of the school.

Martin: Main Street series realistic fiction
A series about two young girls orphaned when their parents die in a car accident. They go to live with their grandmother in Camden Falls, Mass., a small town filled with a variety of characters.

Norman: My Feet Are Laughing c2006 poetry
16 poems told by a young girl about her Harlem neighborhood.

Peck: A Year Down Yonder c2000 humor, historical fiction
In 1937, during the Great Depression, Mary Alice lives with her very unusual grandmother in rural Illinois.

Seidler: Toes c2004 animals, fiction
Ridiculed because of his seven toes on each paw, this kitten runs away and finds a struggling musician who needs him.

Smith: Bone c2004 graphic novel
Three cousins leave their home of Boneville. On their journey they meet royalty, dragons, and monsters as they try to return home.

Soto: Baseball in April and Other Stories c1990 ethnic diversity
These short stories focus on young Hispanics growing up in California.

Strasser: Help! series fantasy, humor
Jake Sherman switches bodies with various people and creatures, including his gym teacher, principal, the family dog and even the first day of summer camp!

Stewart: The Mysterious Benedict Society c2007 fiction, adventure
Four children are secretly spies as students in the Learning Institute for the Enlightened. They have to avoid being brainwashed by Mr. Curtain, one of the owners of the school. This is a mystery you will be eager to see unfold.

Wright: The Wish Master c2000 realistic fiction
Corby and his mother travel to Wisconsin for the summer to take care of his sick grandmother; then, he meets a local boy who takes him to the Wish Master.

Various authors: Dear America series historical fiction

Skurzynski: Mysteries in Our National Parks series mystery, adventure