Great Books for 1st Graders to Start Reading

Dogger

Dogger is an endearing tale about a little boy named Dave who loses his favorite stuffed animal, Dogger. When Dave finds him for sale at a local fair, he is delighted--until someone else buys him before he can! Thankfully, his older sister saves the day, but only after sacrificing something of her own. Not only does this book entertain your younger children, but it teaches them the importance of kindness.

The illustrations are beautifully artful. This is a terrific read aloud or a book for your early readers to enjoy on their own (or with a little help).

Recommended for: Kids that love animals and for parents who love a book that teaches as well as entertains...

Owen

This is a delightful story about a little mouse named Owen who is very attached to his fuzzy yellow blanket. He doesn't want to go anywhere without it. He has had it since he was a baby and he has no intention of giving it up. His neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, thought differently and made her disapproval known to Owen's parents. She volunteered a few ideas of her own about how to get rid of the blanket. Nothing worked. Until the night before Owen started kindergarten when his mother comes up with the perfect plan. Her creative solution please everyone, including the nosy neighbor.

This 1994 Caldecott Honor Book is a fun read aloud for parents and children alike. The engaging style encourages early readers to follow along and read themselves.

Kevin Henkes does a beautiful job of bringing the characters to life with his watercolor and black pen illustrations.

Recommended for: Kids that love stories with mice, funny stories, and bright illustrations

Mrs. Toggle's Zipper

This comical story tells of Mrs. Toggle, a teacher who arrives at school wearing a puffy, fuchsia-colored coat that she got for Christmas. The only problem is that she can't take it off because her zipper is stuck. To make matters even worse, the 'thingamajig' is gone! The rest of the story describes how her students and school workers try to help her remove her coat.

This witty, silly tale illustrated with simple watercolors that bring the story to life. The story is appropriate for young children and early readers--and any children and adults that love humor.

Recommended for: Kids that love funny antics, whether they're believable or not!

How to Make an Apple Pie and see the world

If you want your child to learn a little geography without even knowing it, this is the book for you. In this whimsical story about a young girl who wants to make an apple pie but finds the grocery store closed, you learn where in the world you need to go for ingredients. You travel to Europe, Sri Lanka, the United States and more. A delicious recipe is included so you can do your own baking when the book is done. My children loved the book and the process of baking. They also still know where to find Sri Lanka on the map.

The Illustrations are beautiful and eye-catching. The book gives parents the perfect opportunity to make a trip to the apple orchard (and the store) for ingredients to bake an apple pie.

Just reading this book encourages children to go to the map

Recommended for: Kids that love adventure and travel around the world...

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

This book tells the story of a little boy, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, who lives next door to an old folks home. He visits regularly and knows all the residents, but his favorite is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt, Cooper because she has four names, too. After overhearing his parents talking about Miss Nancy losing her memory, he sets about trying to find out what a memory is. He listens to all the answers he gets and then begins to collect memories of his own to share with Miss Nancy. When Wilfrid shares them, Miss Nancy can recollect and share some of her own.

The illustrations are stunning watercolors that capture the warmth and generous nature of the story.

This book can be helpful when talking to young children about how important and meaningful it can be to have relationships with older people.