Great Starts for Young Readers

You and your child have been going through picture books like crazy, and maybe you’ve even been reading chapter books to them. But when you want to pick a great book for your budding reader, you’re faced with a new section: Early Readers.

Early Readers are written to help the youngest readers get basic - and important - reading skills. These books are short, with simple words and stories to let children get a handle on reading for themselves. For me, and many other adults, books like Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss or the Dick and Jane series were our first books. Checking out these titles can be a great chance to share your own early reading experiences with your child.

If you’re looking for something a little more updated, however, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of our picks for fun early readers for you and your child to share!

The Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems

You may know author/illustrator Mo Willems from his picture books, which include the Pigeon books and the Knuffle Bunny trilogy. He writes fun, engaging books for kids, and that certainly shines through in this series. Gerald the elephant is a bit of a worrier, while his best friend Piggie isn’t. Check out “We Are In a Book!” and enjoy as the characters sneakily teach your child about print awareness - they literally beg to be read again and again!

The Fancy Nancy series by Jane O’Connor

Fancy Nancy is a girl with big ideas about her life, and a big personality to match. This series follows Nancy on the same kind of bold adventures that she takes in the original picture book series. She’s a little over the top, but in the best possible way, as easy repetition and a habit of defining words in the text help early readers with comprehension.

The Fly Guy series by Ted Arnold

Fly Guy is unlike any fly you’ve ever met - he’s smart and even charming. He’s also hunting for something slimy to eat. Buzz is looking for a pet unlike any he’s ever met. It’s a great match as the boy and his fly have adventures ranging from superheroes to old ladies to escaping a flyswatter! With lots of wordplay, this series is a great way to introduce children to the joy of written jokes. Broken down into small, simple chapters, these books are still short enough to be enjoyed by early readers, but with the added accomplishment of reading a chapter book!

Finding a book your young reader will love is a great step in training up a lifelong reader. Repetition gives children the ability really sharpen their skills as a reader, and these high-interest, entertaining series will encourage children to read them over and over. As always, feel free to ask a librarian for help finding just the right book for your child!