So, I think I’ve managed to neglect mentioning the Geisel Awards up to this point. What a grievous oversight. Anyone with a new reader needs to know about this award “given annually the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.”
The days of Dick and Jane are gone my friends. As this article says, boring beginning reader books are so yesterday. Today’s readers are funny and engagi
ng. Kids actually want to read them!
Toon books are in a graphic novel (read: comic book) format and are great place to start for boys and reluctant readers.
Many parents are already familiar with Mo Willems and his fantastic picture books like the Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny s
eries. But those same parents are often unfamiliar with Mo’s hilarious beginning reader Elephant and Piggie series. Mo also has a new series about Cat the Cat. Don’t be fooled by the traditional picture book look of these books, they’re intended for beginning readers as well.
And if you haven’t introduced your new reader to the Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold, you’re both missing out! When a fly on the hunt for something tasty and slimy to eat crosses paths with a boy named Buzz who’s looking for a smart pet for The Amazing Pet Show, a beautiful friendship is born. And of course, hilarity ensues.
Also worth a mention are the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series, Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same, and the Annie and Snowball series. And check out our list of Geisel Award winners and honor books.
