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Friday, July 19th, 2019
If you are supporting a child who is having difficulty learning to read, these are picture books that share an encouraging message. Reading well involves learning a variety of strategies and practising them with increasingly difficult text. For a child who has difficulty with letter recognition, dyslexia, phonemic awareness or comprehension, reading can be a terrible struggle. Hearing about the experiences of other children can be a help.
Here, we share five picture books that will be helpful for children who are having trouble learning to read.
“Learning to read and read well is already hard enough: it takes years of practice to make knowledge of reading automatic, transparent and fluid. When children practice reading in a context that’s kind– with books they love, teachers who understand reading, and systems devised to make a hard thing easier — they’re more inclined to practice, remember, make sense of, get better at, and love reading.”
Nancie Atwell in The Reading Zone: How to Help Kids Become Skilled, Passionate, Habitual, Critical Readers
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I Don’t Like to Read! written and illustrate by Nancy Carlson
Picture book about Having Trouble Learning to Read published by Puffin
Henry likes first grade but he does not like reading. He avoids it at school and at home. One day, his teacher asks him what the problem is and he confides. His teacher offers extra help and before too long, when a babysitter is not available to read aloud to Henry and his sibling, Henry takes over, reading with increasing confidence and emerges with a love of reading at home and at school.
Ms Carson’s illustrations are a highlight of this engaging picture book. Henry’s body language, especially as a non-reader, is a terrific addition to her delightful story.
Level of Reading Intervention – Resource teacher at school, extra practice at home
Reason for reading difficulty (if any identified) – N/A
I Don’t Like to Read! at Amazon.com
I Don’t Like to Read! at Amazon.ca
Lily and the Mixed Up Letters written by Deborah Hodge and illustrated by Fance Brassard
Picture Book about Having Trouble Learning to Read published by Tundra Books
Lily enjoys school and especially opportunities to create art. Unfortunately, grade two is not as much fun as kindergarten and grade one were. Reading aloud is especially worrisome for Lily and, when her teacher announces Parent Day will include having each student read out loud, Lily confides her lack of confidence reading to her mom,
“I can’t do it,” she sobs. “I can’t read my page on Parent Day. It’s too hard. All the other kids can read their pages, but I can’t read mine.”
Lily’s mom is empathetic and requests that she receive extra help at school. Her teacher assigns a peer Reading Buddy and Lily also practices at home. By Parent Day, Lily is ready for the challenge.
Level of Reading Intervention – Peer reading buddy at school, extra practice at home
Reason for reading difficulty (if any identified) – N/A
Lily and the Mixed-Up Letters at Amazon.com
Lily and the Mixed-Up Letters at Amazon.ca
Miss Little’s Gift written by Douglas Wood and illustrated by Jim Burke
Autobiographical Picture Book about Living with ADHD and Difficulty Learning to Read published by Candlewick Press
Douglas is in grade two and he doesn’t like having to sit still. He interrupts his teacher; he has problems with reading and on the playground. He is very resistant to staying after school in order to get extra help with reading but Miss Little is firm and determined. She finds a book to match his interests, she encourages him and she gives him just enough help. Miss Little’s Gift is a celebration of the difference a wonderful, caring teacher can make.
Level of Reading Intervention – extra time with a classroom teacher
Reason for reading difficulty (if any identified) – ADHD in Author’s Note
Miss Little’s Gift at Amazon.com
Miss Little’s Gift at Amazon.ca
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Tags: Canadian author, Canadian illustrator, learning to read, picture books, positive message about reading, reluctant readers, school life
Posted in Outstanding Picture Books to Enjoy at Home or at School | Comments Off on 5 Terrific Picture Books About Children Having Problems Learning to Read
Sunday, October 23rd, 2016
A Very Brave Witch written by Alison McGhee and illustrated by Harry Bliss
Halloween theme picture book published by Simon & Schuster / Paula Wiseman Books
A Very Brave Witch is the tale of a green-skinned, broomstick-flying, costume-loving witch. She thinks she knows all about humans and decides that Halloween night is the perfect opportunity to take a closer look. After a flying mishap, she meets three, costumed human trick-or-treaters including one girl who is dressed up as a witch. Together, the pair manage to shatter stereotypes as they discover friendship and celebrate Halloween together.
Young readers will enjoy investigating a recently-decorated haunted house and collection of costumes. The witches’ fear of humans is good fun.
Well-suited for a group read-aloud, the colorful watercolor illustrations nicely match the tone of the story.
Suitable for preschool and older
Scare Factor = 1
A Very Brave Witch at Amazon.com
A Very Brave Witch at Amazon.ca
A Creepy Countdown written by Charlotte Huck and Jos. A. Smith
Halloween theme picture book published by Harper Trophy
Beautifully-detailed, dark and creepy illustrations are a highlight of this Halloween-theme counting book. Rhyming text includes alliteration and guides readers as they count from one to ten and back down to one).
Five furry bats hanging upside down
Six skinny witches flying through the town
Recommended for children aged 5 and up. Illustrations are well-suited to a group setting and could be used to inspire young artists to work primarily in black.
Scare Factor = 2
A Creepy Countdown at Amazon.com
A Creepy Countdown at Amazon.ca
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween written and illustrated Mélanie Watt
Halloween theme picture book published by Kids Can Press
Scaredy Squirrel is a fun series of picture books written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt. In Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween, Scaredy has put together eight short chapters featuring panels with maps, lists, illustrations and diagrams intended to keep trick or treaters safe and happy. Best suited to independent readers or a one-on-one read aloud, this is a fun book with rich vocabulary and detailed, engaging illustrations. Not great for a large group setting, this will be a very satisfying “chapter book” for a child in grade one or two and will produce lots of giggles when read by a parent to a child.
Scare Factor = 1
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scaredies at Amazon.com
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scaredies at Amazon.ca
Ten Timid Ghosts written and illustrated by Jennifer O’Connell
Halloween theme counting book published by Cartwheel Books, an imprint of Scholastic
When a moving truck pulls up to a haunted house, the ten resident ghosts watch nervously. Before too long, a green-skinned witch is scaring the ghosts with a skeleton
, a bat
and various costumes. Ms. O’Connell provides fun clues for readers to notice including buttons that look like eyes
, white face powder
and a roll of toilet paper.
Repetitive, rhmying text adds to the fun in this counting book. Young children will love finding the ghosts in each of the illustrations.
Scare Factor = 1
Tags: Canadian author, Canadian illustrator, counting book, Halloween, humor, phonemic awareness, picture books, Picture books that feature alliteration, video clip, watercolour illustrations
Posted in Fall Children's Books, Learning Games and Printables | Comments Off on Halloween-Theme Picture Books and Free Printables for Kids!
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
The Watermelon Seed written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
Picture book for beginning readers published by Disney Hyperion Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group
When a charming and exuberant crocodile explains that he loves watermelon, we are utterly convinced,
Ever since I was a teeny, tiny baby cocodile, it’s been my favorite.
CHOMP! SLURP! CHOMP!
While enthusiastically devouring his favorite fruit, the crocodile accidentally ingests a seed, his imagination runs wild and he assumes a variety of terrible outcomes.
Repetitive text, limited use of long vowel words and very good supporting illustrations make this a great choice for beginning readers.
The Watermelon Seed at Amazon.com
The Watermelon Seed at Amazon.ca
Ball written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan
Picture book for beginning readers published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
There is little doubt that this dog loves his small, red ball. From the moment he wakes up, he is focused on only one thing: playing with the ball. He especially loves when the ball is thrown by a young girl but when she leaves for school there is no one available to throw it.
This is a terrific picture book that relies heavily on the illustrations for the narrative. Apart from one repeated word (ball) it could be classified as a wordless picture book.
It will be thoroughly enjoyed by dog lovers and young children – especially those who are eager for an opportunity to read independently.
Tags: award winners, dogs, friendship, generously illustrated, humor, learning to read, mice, onomatopoeia, picture books, print awareness, repetitive text, video clip
Posted in Outstanding Picture Books to Enjoy at Home or at School | Comments Off on A Look at the 2014 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal Award Winner and Honor Books
Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
Read our interview with Catherine Egan
The lengthy title of Catherine Egan’s third book, The Last Days of Tian Di: Bone, Fog, Ash, and Star, alludes to the depth and complexity that is wrapped up within the story. Like the characters of this book, I felt myself immersed in unfamiliar, amazing worlds, pulled back and forth between them by the common thread: Eliza. A story of friendship, loyalty, strength, and finding the truth, Egan isn’t afraid to make her characters suffer to reach reward. In fact, it is understood and stated that “there is loss and gain with every act”. I think what was most powerful, for me, was the way this book echos life. There are consequences to every action and we do the very best we can at the time, but then we must go from there, from the result of our decisions. It is a heavy burden on the main character’s shoulders, knowing that the choices she makes will lead to her own heavy heart. But I think it is an important message for readers, particularly the young adult ones who are, in some ways, facing a similar journey. At the age of sixteen, they are making choices that feel right at the time, but have long term consequences that need to be weighed and judged. Sometimes, life really is choosing the lesser of two evils and this is a lesson that Eliza faces constantly.
In this third book of her series, Catherine Egan pulls the reader in with intense action right from the start. When Eliza’s friend, Charlie, becomes the victim of an assassination attempt, just as she’s trying to tell him she has feelings for him that go beyond friendship, the reader is immediately hooked. Aside from the action, the magical realism, the vivid imagery that drops you right inside of the book, the characters are connectable.
I realized within the first chapter that I was drawn in because when the first major event happens, I literally gasped out loud. At that point I thought, wow, I already care about the characters and I can totally see the scene. As a writer and a reader, I know that this is not an easy combination to present on the page. From there, Egan takes us on a journey to save her friend that is met with seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Like the title, the story seemed to always have one more tangent. Whether you’re thinking that they cannot possibly escape the next vicious attack or they are finally safe, the reader is constantly surprised. The term magical realism is an interesting one to me: if done poorly, you can distance yourself from the book because it’s fantasy and you know that everything is okay. If done properly, as Egan has done, you can forget that transforming, shape-shifting, and spell-binding aren’t a possibility. I saw the characters as regular teenagers– Eliza with too much responsibility on her young shoulders, Nell with the exam she desperately wanted to ace, and Charlie with the youthful irritation of someone stuck in a situation they cannot control.
Even in the magical, there is a sense of the real: the faeries’ overall disdain of humans, the faery mother who can’t abide by her son, Jalo helping a human because he’s in love with her, the oracle grandmother, saved by the ancients, who shares her knowledge in riddles, the fight for power between the Mancers, and each character trying to choose between good and evil, trying to find their way out of a situation that is bigger than themselves.Through it all, we are reminded, as are the characters, that best laid plans often go astray and the things we truly believe we want and need in life are not necessarily what we end up getting. Accepting that and moving forward anyway is not easy, but it can be done, as Eliza shows us.
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Tags: Canadian author, Contributed by Jody, fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Posted in Discover Young Adult Fiction Books for Teen (and Adult!) Readers | Comments Off on Bone, Fog, Ash & Star: The Last Days of Tian Di, Book 3
Monday, June 24th, 2013
The Great Dog Disaster will appeal to both boys and girls (aged 8-12), especially those with a fondness for dogs. At times, poignent, this generously illustrated chapter book will encourage readers to consider the relationship between Great-Aunt Deidra and Beatrice, how neighbours and community can be important and how the girls’ determination to make a difference has far-reaching implications. Ms. Shaw’s charming illustrations and amply-spaced text will appeal to reluctant readers.
Tags: dogs, family life, friendship, generously illustrated, humor, middle grade readers, reluctant readers, series
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on Generously illustrated chapter book: The Great Dog Disaster
Monday, April 22nd, 2013
Andrew thinks that if he had freckles his life would be a lot easier. A classmate offers him a solution to this problem for fifty cents. This evoked some conversation with my girls, as Andrew tells us that fifty cents is FIVE weeks of allowance. Little details like this made the girls connect to the story and talk about things like: Would you give up your allowance for someone to share a secret with you? Do you think the classmate really knows a secret? Why do you think fifty cents was a lot of money then but isn’t now? Pretty interesting and driven forward by the girls. I love book talk so I enjoyed listening to them and talking to them very much.
Tags: chapter books, Contributed by Jody, humor, individuality, middle grade readers, school life
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | 1 Comment »
Monday, November 26th, 2012
Recommended anti-bullying chapter books, graphic novels and novels for children, preteens and teens We spend quite a lot of time reading books about bullying. We hope that parents and teachers will find our reviews helpful when working to help (or avoid) toxic social situations in classrooms and on youth teams. Please be sure to check […]
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Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
Not only is a storm brewing outside, there is one developing inside Miss Mackle’s classroom. Mary is upset with Song Lee and leaves two notes on her desk. Harry and Doug see Song Lee open the notes. They quietly retrieve the notes from a garbage can and read them. They are reluctant to “tattle” but they can see that Song Lee is upset. Harry speaks quietly to Miss Mackle and she is grateful for the information he provides.
Tags: Anti Bullying Books for Children, early chapter books, friendship, middle grade readers, picture books, school life, series, social responsibility
Posted in Anti-Bullying Children's Books | Comments Off on Anti Bullying Chapter Book – Song Lee and the “I Hate You Notes”
Sunday, November 4th, 2012
Fans of the Fancy Nancy series are sure to enjoy this anti bullying book for beginning readers. The story is engaging. Both Nancy’s problem and the outcome are realistic. Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl could lead to discussions of teasing and bullying as well as sportsmanship and doing one’s best in a difficult situtation.
Tags: Anti Bullying Books for Children, friendship, learning to read, picture books, picture books for older readers, school life, watercolour illustrations
Posted in Anti-Bullying Children's Books | Comments Off on Anti bullying book for beginning readers: Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Jake Drake offers readers ways to deal with bullying Jake Drake Bully Buster written by Andrew Clements Anti bullying chapter book published by Aladdin Paperbacks, Simon and Schuster Be sure to check out our page about anti-bullying picture books for children, our page about anti bullying chapter books, graphic novels and novels for children , […]
Tags: Anti Bullying Books for Children, books for boys, chapter books, early chapter books, Grade Two, pink shirt day, school life, series
Posted in Anti-Bullying Children's Books | Comments Off on Anti Bullying Chapter Book – Jake Drake Bully Buster
Friday, October 21st, 2011
The Wave Runners by Kai Meyer Teen fiction published by Egmont UK Ltd. The Wave Runner is the first book in an exciting, fantasy-adventure trilogy for middle grade readers. Mr. Meyer meshes an exotic Caribbean setting, dangerous, swash-buckling pirates and intriguing fantastical creatures to create an exciting tale. We follow the story of Jolly, a […]
Tags: chapter books, fantasy, middle grade readers, pirates, series, series for girls
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on The Wave Walkers Series Will Draw Readers Like Pirates to Treasure
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
The exciting Canadian Flyer Adventures time travel series for grade two has all the elements needed for success – action, adventure and fun. Generously illustrated, readers will be captivated while learning history Canadian Flyer Adventures series written by Frieda Wishinsky and illustrated by Dean Griffiths Time Travel Series published by Owlkids Books When young friends […]
Tags: Canadian author, Canadian setting, chapter books, emergent readers, Grade Two, historical fiction, series, time travel
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Friday, September 9th, 2011
The long weekend meant travel for our family. It was a perfect opportunity for me to check out a number of new titles for young readers. I chose to read six books intended for children who are between the ages of six and nine and are reading grade two chapter books. At this reading level, […]
Tags: chapter books, fantasy, Grade Two, series, series for girls, undersea
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on Grade Two Chapter Books – Mermaids Everywhere
Friday, September 9th, 2011
Need to find a new series for middle grade readers? Michelle Paver’s books: Wolf Brother, Spirit Walker and Soul Eater sat unread on my bookshelf for far too long. These days, they are rarely in my office. These are the first three titles in a terrific series for middle grade readers. I have loaned each […]
Tags: adventure, chapter books, fantasy, middle grade readers, reluctant readers, series, suspense, wolves
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on Chronicles of Ancient Darkness – Terrific Series For Middle Grade Readers
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
ABC Canada Literacy Foundation has identified ‘three potential reading slump times that can hinder a child’s reading development. ‘ Grade four is one of those times. Grade four is just about the time that readers encounter longer chapters, smaller print and more complex vocabulary. We lose some readers in the transition. My two boys are nine and twelve – one loves to read and one loves to “do” so I know that finding engaging books is critical for this age group. As well, I probably read more kids’ books than most moms so I’m often asked for book recommendations for grade four boys. Many of the best series for this age group are funny (occasionally rude), action-packed, irreverent and very generously illustrated. The books often feature boys who find themselves in trouble – at school, at home, sometimes even in the library.
Tags: books for boys, chapter books, fantasy, Grade Four reading slump, humor, middle grade readers, reluctant readers, school life, series, video clip
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on Super Series Books for Middle Graders
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
When my boys first ventured into reading grade one chapter books, they were delighted to discover Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. Featuring a wonderful friendship and many happy adventures, the Frog and Toad series has been a favorite with young readers for decades. James Howe’s latest book, Houndlsey and Catina is very reminiscent of […]
Tags: Canadian illustrator, cats, dogs, early chapter books, emergent readers, friendship, frogs, Grade One, Grade Two, series, toads
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on Grade One Chapter Book: Being friends is better than being famous
Sunday, August 28th, 2011
When looking for a special grade two chapter book, you can’t go wrong with Nate the Great Nate the Great written by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and illustrated by Marc Simont Published by Yearling Nate likes pancakes and syrup almost as much as he enjoys solving a perplexing mystery. Nate and his canine sidekick, Sludge, are […]
Tags: detectives, dogs, early chapter books, emergent readers, Grade One, Grade Two, mysteries, series
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Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Darkness Becomes Her – written by Kelly Keaton Gods and Monsters Young Adult Series published by Simon and Schuster Ari feels lost and alone. With strange teal eyes and silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, she has always stood out. And, after growing up in foster care, she longs to have a sense […]
Tags: chapter books, fantasy, mythology, video clip, Young Adult Fiction
Posted in Discover Young Adult Fiction Books for Teen (and Adult!) Readers, Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton – This was one creepy book
Saturday, February 19th, 2011
The Tale of Sir Dragon: Dealing with Bullies for Kids (and Dragons) – written by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Martine Gourbault Be sure to check out our page about anti-bullying picture books for children, our page about anti bullying chapter books, graphic novels and novels for children , and our Pinterest anti bullying […]
Tags: Anti Bullying Books for Children, colored pencil illustrations, getting along, imagination, knights, picture books for older readers, pink shirt day, rhyming couplets, social responsibility, summertime
Posted in Anti-Bullying Children's Books | Comments Off on Sir Dragon Offers a thoughtful, thorough anti-bullying picture book
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Measle and the Wrathmonk is one of my new favourite chapter book series for middle grade readers. Ten year old Measle lives a deplorable life. He is hungry most of the time, he is fifthy and lives in a wretched house with a menacing guardian.
Tags: books for boys, chapter books, fantasy, middle grade readers, reluctant readers, suspense, video clip
Posted in Terrific Chapter Books for Middle Grades and Teens | Comments Off on Twists in Measle and the Wrathmonk Will Engage Reluctant Readers
, a 
and various costumes. Ms. O’Connell provides fun clues for readers to notice including 
, 
and a roll of toilet paper.
