2nd Grade (Age 7)

Hears an introduction for babies to the wonderful mishmash world of sounds. Listen to the cow’s MOO, the frying eggs’ SIZZLE, and the thunder’s BOOM BOOM BOOM. There are plenty of noises for everyone!

Mr. Putter has a cold. Though his cat, Tabby, tries to comfort him, he finds that it’s no fun to be old with a cold. Fortunately, his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, tries to nurse him back to health by sending her dog, Zeke, over with thermoses of chicken soup and tea — and even an adventure book strapped to his back. Mr. Putter knows he’s on his way back to health as he curls up with Tabby and Zeke for a good read. This gentle story and others in the Mr. Putter series offer a dose of coziness in an easy-to-read …

It’s Christmastime…and Mrs. Claus wants some sun and surf! Mrs. Claus has never had a vacation. The endles snow at the North Pole is getting her down, and she doesn’t see why her husband should have all the fun. So she hitches up the reindeer and takes a world tour. While Santa tries his hand at baking gingerbread cookes and decorates the tree alone, Mrs. Claus hits the beach, eats sushi for the first time, and visits the Taj Mahal. Will she make it home in time for Christmas?

In this fairy tale, the king is searching for a worthy and beautiful wife. Mufaro has two daughters. Nyasha is beautiful and kind. Manyara, while physically attractive, is mean-spirited. Steptoe’s paintings are so light and rich in texture that this picture book should be read aloud to small groups so that each child can clearly see the art.

Have you ever encountered an underwater marching band, a pig in a bathing suit, a pet orangutan, or a witch in a hardware store? Have you ever sat with a skunk in a courtroom, shopped for a dinosaur, or conversed with a Bupple, a Wosstrus, a Violinnet, or a Celloon? You will have, once you’ve read this exuberant collaboration from Jack Prelutsky and his “partner in crime” James Stevenson. The “reigning czars of silliness”* have once again teamed up to bring readers an irresistible collection of poems that will have tongues twisting, imaginations soaring, and sides aching with laughter. …

Bestselling picture book creator Mo Willems is making his debut in the early-reader arena with the Elephant and Piggie series. The books feature two lovable and funny characters: an optimistic (and sometimes reckless) pig, and a cautious, pessimistic elephant. Children who sat on their parents’ laps to have Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! read to them will eagerly take the plunge with these books to start reading on their own. With each text reviewed by an early-learning specialist, these sweet and surprising stories are a breath of fresh air in the early-reader category. In My Friend Is Sad, …

Here’s an absurd tale that causes children to groan and laugh simultaneously. On almost every page it repeats, “We thought she’d throw up then and there.” See if your students can remember what she ate first, second, and so on.

After reading about Libby who learns a valuable lesson, share this book about Saruni who also learns something important. Although his mother encourages him to spend the money she gives him on the tempting things in the market, Saruni keeps his coins safely in his pocket. He plans on surprising her by saving up money to buy his own bicycle to use to help her at the market. Saruni soon discovers that coins, even a big pile of them, don’t add up fast enough to buy a bike. Mollel’s story of a generous boy, who finally gets his wish, gives …