Thomas & Friends Book Index

Thomas the Tank Engine taught my son to read. Without Thomas, Percy and the rest of the gang, I don't think Dave would have ever slowed down enough actually practice. And while he loved having me read the stories, he wanted to 'do it himself!'

The Steamies provide EXCELLENT motivation for little guys to learn to read, especially as there are books at many different levels. From books suitable for beginning readers (with a little experience under their belts) to those capable of reading at the 3rd and 4th grade levels.

Lists by Cover

Kindergarten

See this list of book for kindergarteners -- books under AR Level 1

First Grade

See this list of books for First (1st) Graders
-- books from AR Level 1.0 to 1.9

Lists

• The 5 Easiest Thomas-The-Tank Engine Books -- a list of practice books at the pre-primer level

• Books at the First Grade Level
  -- Thomas and Friends at the AR 1 level

Individual Reviews

•  Thomas' BIG Storybook

• Thomas and the Great Discovery

• Thomas and the Treasure

Fall Book Index

Fall can encompass a variety of topics, so included on this page will be books about Apples, Johnny Appleseed, Fall Leaves, and more.



Apples and Johnny Appleseed

• Apples
  -- a list of books about juicy, delicious apples.
  

• Johnny Appleseed - The 3 Easiest Practice Readers
  -- A list of 3 easy readers all about John Chapman beginning at the First Grade level.

• More Good Books about Johnny Appleseed
  -- A list of practice readers at a more advanced level. From AR 2.4 and up.

• Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
  -- an in-depth review of this fine book.
  

• Johnny Appleseed: My Story by David L. Harrison
  -- an in-depth review of this good book.
  

Back to School

• Back to School
  -- a pictorial list of books about going to back to school.

Fall and Fall Leaves

• I Can Read About Fall!
  -- a list of the 3 Easiest practice readers. Beginning with a pre-primer.
  

• Fall and the Science of Fall Leaves
  -- a list of books about those colorful fall leaves. Some are whimsical and evoke the season; others are downright scientific. Beginning at the 3rd Grade level.

Pumpkins

• Pumkins!
  --a list of fun books about pumpkins. Some have a Halloween bent, while others deal with life cycles.

Thanksgiving Index

Here is an Index of our Thanksgiving book reviews and reading lists.

• Thanksgiving Books for Beginning Readers -
  - a list of fun books at the AR 1 level (also called 1st Grade level)

• Thanksgiving Books for Readers at the 2nd & 3rd Grade levels
  -- a list of fun books at the AR 2-to-3 level (sometimes referred to as the 2nd and 3rd grade level)

• Funny Thanksgiving Books
  -- a list of humorous 'Turkey Day' books. Practice readers and boardbooks.

• Thanksgiving Books featuring Popular Characters
  -- Dora, Clifford, Arthur, Franklin, Amelia and Biscuit are all here in this list.

• Why We Have Thanksgiving
  -- an indepth review of this pre-primer by Margaret Hillert.

Snow and Winter Index

Are you looking for books to share about Winter? Well, stir up some hot cocoa, grab a comfy spot and curl up with some of these great books.

There are some to read aloud, and some for children to read for themselves!

Snow

• Great Snow Books for Kids
  --Shan's list of classic books about the white fluffy stuff. Great Read-Alouds. (Reading information included if you want to transition these to be practice readers.)

• Easy Readers about Snow and Winter
  --Easy books all at the First Grade level

• More Great Books about Snow and Snow Crystals
  -- This list focuses more on the nature of snow.

Our Hanukkah Book Index

• Shan's List of "Great Hanukkah Books" for the Very Young

• Shan's List of "Great Hanukkah Books" For 5 to 9 Year-Olds

• Pam's "Great Hanukkah Book List"
  --a fun list of popular books to share

Spooky Books and Mysteries!

Spooky Books and Mysteries Index

• Spooky Picture Books for Children
  -- Shan's picked spooky books to read: Mild, Medium, and Hot!

• Spooky Books for Middle-Graders-- Shan's list for Tweens and up
  

If you like scary stories, you might also be interested in:

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy - Young Adult

Malice by Chris Wooding - Middle-Grades on up

Shakespeare! Good Books about the Classics for Kids

As a mom, I can't tell you how delighted I am that there are so many ways now for younger children to become familiar with the works of Shakespeare.

Two of my favorites are Brandon Kelso's fun plays, and Lois Burdett's great poetic versions of the Bard's tales.

These books are appropriate for young children. Brandon's plays can easily be acted out by small groups. And his and Lois' material can also be read aloud, or left for children to read for themselves.

• Lois Burdett:::
  --on this page you'll find a list of Lois Burdett's books.
  --the reading level is in the AR 4's, but they make fabulous read-alouds for younger children.

• Brandon Kelso:::
  --see my review of Kelso's Hamlet, click here.
  --I explain how the book is structured, and there is a list of links to all his books, which all have sample text you can read.
  --see my review of Kelso's Julius Caesar, click here.
  

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

CLASSICS Index

Wanting to teach or learn about The Classics?

Here's our sub-index of classic books. Since the definition of 'classic' varies, we've included everything from Aesop's fables to Shakespeare to fairytales.

Free Classics for Kindle/PC/Mac
--a list of books that can be downloaded for free


The Ant and the Grasshopper ..............coming soon
--a list of practice readers about this Aesop favorite.

The Book of Genesis
--review of the graphic novel by R. Crumb. For Young Adults.

The Brook
--Tennyson's classic poem is made family-friendly in this wonderful book.

Cinderella at the Ball
--review of the primer by Margaret Hillert. AR 0.7

The Story of King Arthur and his Knights
--review of Howard Pyle's excellent book.

Lion and the Mouse
--a review of the Primer by Gail Herman, as well as reading information on 4 other versions including Pinkney's brilliant wordless version.

The Odyssey
--a review of 4 kid-friendly books.

One Grain of Rice
--Demi retells this classic mathematical tale.

Rapunzel
--the 5 most popular and highly rated books about the long-tressed heroine. Reading level information included.

Rapunzel
-- Alix Berenzy has produced a beautiful version of the Rapunzel story and we've reviewed it here.

Shakespeare for Kids!
--a review of "Hamlet for Kids!" and a review of "Julius Ceasar" by Brendan Kelso, plus pointers to 4 other kid-friendly books for kids. Reading level information included.

Shakespeare for Kids
--a list of Lois Burdett's brilliant retellings of Shakespeare's tales, with reading level information.

Tale of Flopsy Bunnies
--review of what's become a classic story by Beatrix Potter.

Three Bears
--a review of Hillert's practice reader at the AR 1.0 level.

Tortoise and the Hare
--a review of Betty Miles' practice reader at the AR 1.0 level.

Town Mouse, Country Mouse
--Jan Brett's version of this classic Aesop tale is reviewed here.

Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder
--Volume One: On Wisdom and Virtues. For Young Adults.

Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder
--Volume Two: On Life as a Pioneer Woman. For Young Adults.

Gary Paulsen Index

Gary Paulsen

It's been a struggle but we've come up with a system to try to make finding the right Gary Paulsen book easier for teachers and parents.

(hover over links to see book titles)

• New in 2011

• Paulsen's Non-Fiction

• Books for Younger Readers

• Paulsen for Adults
  (Yes, Gary wrote gritty fiction for adults)

• Historical Fiction -- coming

• Adventure - MG -- coming

• Adventure - YA -- coming

Kids Books about Christmas - Practice Reader Index

Here is our Index of Christmas books. We have a variety of practice readers listed. Some by individual title and some by Reading Level.

• Night Before Christmas Smackdown!
  -- a list of the most popular versions of Clement Clarke Moore's classic poem.

• Shan's 2011 Holiday Gift Ideas #1
  -- a list of holiday themed book worth investing in

Christmas Practice Readers by Reading Level

• Christmas books at the Kindergarten level

• AR Level 2.0 to 2.9

• AR Level 3.0 to 3.9

• AR Level 4.0 to 4.9

Individual books:

• Baby Elf's Christmas
  -- a sweet boardbook

• Bear Stays Up for Christmas
  -- we all liked this book from Karma Wilson featuring loveable Bear.

• The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story
  -- **starred** review from us, Good Books for Kids

• Snow Valley Heroes - A Christmas Tale

• Holly Hobbie NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 

CHRISTMAS BOOK INDEX

Here's our Christmas Index. We've got books by to share, and those that can be used for practice.

Individual Books

► Baby Elf's Christmas
-- a sweet boardbook
► 12 Days of Christmas 
 -- a classic retold by Susan Jeffers
► The Baker's Dozen
-- a classic retold by Heather Forest 

► The Christmas Wish
-- a wonderful new classic
► Sister Bear: a Norse story
-- Jane Yolen's gorgeous artwork
► Bear Stays Up for Christmas
-- we all liked this book from Karma Wilson featuring loveable Bear

► The Night Before Christmas
-- from Holly Hobbie!
► The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story -- **starred** review from us :)
► Snow Valley Heroes - A Christmas Tale
-- can you go wrong with dogs and Robert J. McCarty... don't think so.