Grade: K

Told from the point of view of a young child whose parents are divorced, Fred Stays with Me follows a girl and her dog, Fred, from one parent’s house to the other’s, giving her a sense of continuity and stability. With a simple text and childlike language, the story expresses and addresses a child’s concerns, highlights the friendship between child and pet, presents a common ground for the parents, and resolves conflict in a positive way. Tricia Tusa’s charming and whimsical artwork adds a light, happy feel to this poignant–but not overly sentimental–story.

A Caldecott Honor Book, this classic story shows how even the unlikeliest character can turn into a leader. While the other mice collect and store food to prepare for winter, Frederick appears to be doing nothing but daydreaming. In fact, he’s preparing in his own way — by gathering warmth, colors, and words! When the food runs out, Frederick’s imaginative collection helps pull his friends through a difficult time.

An old standby about friendship, this story introduces Charlie Rooster, Fat Percy the Pig, and Johnny Mouse, a tight-knit bunch of friends who are constant companions. But even best friends can’t do everything together, and so the book ends with each of them dreaming of independent adventures.

An old standby about friendship, this story introduces Charlie Rooster, Fat Percy the Pig, and Johnny Mouse, a tight-knit bunch of friends who are constant companions. But even best friends can’t do everything together, and so the book ends with each of them dreaming of independent adventures.

What does an elephant do? It stomps its foot. Can you? From the creator of such beloved classics as The Grouchy Ladybug and The Mixed-Up Chameleon comes this interactive story that invites kids to imitate animal movements. Watching giraffes bend their necks or monkeys wave their arms is fun, but nothing could be better than joining in. From their heads down to their toes, kids will be wriggling, jiggling, and giggling as they try to keep up with these animals!Alligators wiggle, elephants stop, gorillas thump, and giraffes bend. Can you do it? ‘ I can do it!’ is the confidence-building message of this fun-filled interactive picture book. A variety of familiar animals invite young children to copy their antics, and as they play, they will learn such important skills as careful listening, focusing attention, and following instructions. Just as alphabet books introduce the very young child to letters and simple words, From Head to Toe introduces the basic body parts and simple body movements. And in the same way that children progress from understanding simple words to reading and writing sentences and stories, so they will progress from simple body movements to dancing, gymnastics, and other sports and activities, with confidence and pleasure.

At the playground, at the pet store, on a car trip, or at home: Dick, Jane, and Sally alwayshave fun. Will Dick get another dog? Will Sally finally win a game of hide-and-go-seek? And who are Dick and Jane’s favorite friends? With short stories and text from the original Dick and Jane basic readers, this is a perfect chapter book for eager new readers!

Parents will love revisiting a fond part of their childhoods when they share these classicDick and Jane readers with their children. With charmingly innocent exploits and simple, repetitive declarations, these beloved characters helped entire generations work, play, look, see—and learn! And now they’re available for a whole new generation to enjoy. “Look, Jane,” said Dick. “Here is something funny. Can you guess what it is?”

Dick, Jane, Sally, Mother, and Father are not the only family having fun. This time, meetMike, twin sisters Pam and Penny, and their parents. Two families mean twice the laughs and twice the fun. Beginning readers will love the way each chapter is an individual story, and parents and educators will appreciate the way this format encourages young readers’ progression.