Topic: SPRING! books for Kindergarten level readers

SPRING has always been a popular topic on the GoodKids websites.  Here, finally, is a list of books just for children reading at the Kindergarten level.

• A couple of the books are about all 4 seasons.
• One book earned a Starred Review from Publisher's Weekly
• Two of the books are available in Spanish! 

**all ratings from GoodReads


Spring Is Here!: A Story About Seeds
(Ant Hill)
by Joan Holub
Will Terry (Illustrator) 

3.44 avg rating — 16 ratings

The little guys from Ant Hill find and plant some seeds, then patiently wait until spring to enjoy the plants that appear.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 97
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 0.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 159250
Lexile: 190L


Spring
(Watching the Seasons)
by Emily C. Dawson
Common Core Suggested

This one might not be available unless your library has it.

The book uses photos to show how spring weather affects animals, plants, and people.

Word Count: 106
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 154043


Here Comes Spring, And Summer And Fall And Winter
(DK CHILDREN)
by Mary Elizabeth Murphy

This book follows all 4 seasons. Crunching leaves, cold snow, pretty blossoms... it's very cute, with colorful drawings of a momma dog and her puppy.

This is momma.

This is the facing-page with her darling.

Word Count: 171

Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reader: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 54330
Lexile: BR


It's Spring, Dear Dragon
(Dear Dragon)
by Margaret Hillert

3.71 avg rating — 7 ratings

The boy and his dragon enjoy spending a spring day playing outside.

Common Core Suggested

Word Count: 240
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reader: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 132595
Lexile: BR
--Espanole!
Es Primavera, Querido Dragon = It's Spring, Dear Dragon


Silly Lilly And The Four Seasons
(Toon Books)
by Agnes Rosenstiehl



**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
3.14 avg rating — 116 ratings

Agnes Rosenstiehl is a popular children's author in France, and in this little book her Lilly changes clothes and activities as the seasons flow, one to another.

This is another book that takes a look at the 4 seasons.

 You can find a more in-depth review with more sample pages here:  Review: SILLY LILLY AND THE FOUR SEASONS

Word Count: 223
Page Count:  36
Accelerated Reader: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 121606
Lexile: BR
--sample pages available


What Happens In Spring?
(Four Super Seasons)
by Alex Appleby

Spring is pretty exciting after a cold winter, and in this book the focus is said to be on the "growth of new plants, animals coming out of hibernation".

Word Count: 51
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 164158


  Apple Tree
(Neighborhood Readers)
by Autumn Leigh

I'm sorry but I couldn't find a description for the contents of this book.

Word Count: 123
Page Count: 16
Accelerated Reader:  0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 121790
--Espanole!
El Manzano

For Non-Fiction books with a focus on seeds and plant growth see, SEEDS! Good Books about Plant Life Cycles for Kindergarten Level Readers

compiled by Pam
updated March 2014

BIRDIE'S BIG-GIRL / Sujean Rim series reading information

Sujean Rim uses playful watercolors and clever textured cut-paper designs to create a series for fashion forward children.

**all ratings from GoodReads 


BIRDIE'S BIG-GIRL SHOES

3.79 avg rating — 114 ratings

Birdie loves glitter and glam, and she can't help but admire her mom's closet full of big girl high heel shoes.  The peep toes and even crocodile pumps seem so cool. 

She fantasizes about wearing mommy's shoes until she spends the day in them.  Then she discovers that playing is easier and more fun in bare feet.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 393
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader: 2.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 133993

BIRDIE'S BIG-GIRL DRESS

3.31 avg rating — 90 ratings

It's Birdie's birthday and what she wants is a new fancy dress. Mom takes her to a glamorous boutique where she tries on all kinds of wondrous gowns. But it isn't long before she realizes that these kind of dresses will make it hard to run and jump and have fun.

It appears she's out of luck until she goes to her thinking place in the attic.  It's there she realizes that it's easy to find the perfect dress.  If she uses her imagination.

Word Count: 478
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reader:  2.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 146575


BIRDIE'S BIG-GIRL HAIR

3.50 avg rating — 12 ratings

In this book mom announces that it's time for Birdie's first hair cut.  Birdie is excited and asks if she can go through some of mommy's magazines so she can pick the perfect look.

Birdie then fantasizes about all sorts of fancy looks, including looking like a movie star with a sleek chignon.

Going to the playground though, makes her realize that her fancy hair isn't as rough and rugged as she is.  Mom tells her though that she and her flat hair is just perfect... because it's all Birdie.

Page Count: 40
no reading information currently available
--for sample pages and review follow the link. Follow it!

Your young reader might also be interested in the FANCY NANCY books. (First, Second, Third and Fourth Grade levels)

compiled by Pam
updated February 2014 

LOOSING TEETH / LOOSE TOOTH books for Kindergarten level readers

Oh my. Thinking back, one of my children's favorite childhood interests was teeth.  In particular, loose teeth and losing teeth.

With this in mind, here's a list of books at the K-level for children who have that same curiosity.

**all ratings from GoodReads

GUS LOOSES A TOOTH
(Scholastic)
by Frank Remkiewicz

Loose tooth. Tooth Fairy.  This book has it all.  

It's a little obscure, but available at amazon.com and as an ebook at Scholastic. Probably best borrowed from the library because it's so simple and children will outgrow it quickly.

Reading Information:
Word Count:  69
Accelerated Reader:  0.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 162990

I LOST MY TOOTH!
(Scholastic)
(Hello Reader!, Level 1) 
by Hans Wilhelm

3.65 avg rating — 40 ratings

Oh no!  Puppy looses a tooth and can't find it.  But don't worry, he's figured out a clever way to get treats from the Tooth Fairy.

Word Count: 96
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader:  0.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 42157
Lexile: BR


THE MISSING TOOTH
(Read-It! Readers)
by Susan Blackaby

4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings

I'm not sure I understand this one, but Kim has a bad morning when she wakes up late and somehow losing a tooth is part of this.

Available in Spanish too.

Word Count: 109
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 104466
-- SE ME CAYO UN DIENTE - Spanish


LOOSE TOOTH
(My First I Can Read!)
by Lola M. Schaefer

3.50 avg rating — 58 ratings
Very High Ratings @Amazon

This boy wakes up one morning to find that he has his first loose tooth!  But pull and push as he might, it won't come out. 

Word Count: 132
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 77846
Lexile: 10L

For books about loosing teeth at the First Grade level check out this list.

compiled by Pam
updated July 2014

MISS PEREGRINE / RANSOM RIGGS reading information

Not a book for Kindle, Ransom Riggs books include strange photos that are part of the fun. The MISS PEREGRINE books are well written and deliciously mysterious and spooky.  Middle-grade and up.  Mild profanity, sexual references, and violence.

**all ratings from GoodReads

MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN

(Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, #1) 
by Ransom Riggs

ALA Teens' Top Ten Nominee (2012)
3.77 avg rating — 223,171 ratings

Jacob grew up with stories his grandfather told about an orphanage which housed peculiar children with amazing abilities. As he grew older Jacob assumed these were just great stories. But when his grandfather is murdered, Jacob receives a cryptic message that sends him on a journey to find that orphanage.

What he finds on the Welsh island is amazing. The house is decrepit but the children are just as described. No older than when his grandfather knew them.

As Jacob begins to unravel more about his grandfather’s childhood, he becomes aware of a monster that is hunting him.

Word Count: 84,898
Page Count: 352
Accelerated Reading level: 5.7 / points: 13.0
AR quiz: 145802
Lexile: 890L
--sample pages available
--audio version available

HOLLOW CITY
(Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, # 2)
by Ransom Riggs

4.04 avg rating — 18,826 ratings

At the end of book #1, the children's island home was destroyed, and Miss Peregrine was left in her bird state.  In this book, Jacob and the others flee to London (remember this is during the war) and they seek help for Ms. Peregrine.

Word Count: 95,667
Page Count: 400
Accelerated Reader: 5.7 / points: 15.0
AR quiz: 163783
Lexile: 850L
--sample pages available
--audio version available

MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN : The Graphic Novel
(Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children)
by Ransom Riggs
illustrated by Cassandra Jean

4.11 avg rating — 1,320 ratings 

See the description for the first book. 
Profanity and violence.

Word Count: 10,135

Page Count:272
Accelerated Reading level: 3.4 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 162295


compiled by Pam
updated July 2014 

UNDER THE NEVER SKY reading information

Mediocre writing doesn't keep this formulaic book from being very popular.  I would suggest it for readers who enjoyed I AM NUMBER FOUR.

**all ratings from GoodReads 
*one short sex scene. Alcohol. Violence

ROAR AND LIV
(Under the Never Sky 0.5)

4.11 avg rating — 4,275 ratings

The dynamics between Vale, Roar, and Liv are explored.  It results in Vale making decisions that change the fate of the Tides forever.

Page Count:  68
no reading information available



UNDER THE NEVER SKY
by Veronica Rossi

4.07 avg rating — 42,911 ratings

This story begins with some teens breaking into a damaged Agricultural dome. The backstory is that some of the survivors on this broken-earth are living a high tech existence where they are holed up in a complex of domes where their food is grown and where they are kept safe from the 'outside'.

'Things happen' though and Aria finds herself outside, where thankfully a boy shows up to save her.

Check out a sample yourself.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 87,078
Page Count: 400
Accelerated Reader: 4.1 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 148732
-- Spanish  BAJO EL CIELO ETERNO


THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT 
(bk#2 Under the Ever Sky)
by Veronica Rossi

4.30 avg rating — 18,096 ratings 

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

Word Count: 76,049
Page Count: 352
Accelerated Reading level: 4.3 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 159991
-- Spanish  BAJO LA NOCHE ETERNA


BROOKE
(Under the Never Sky #2.5)

3.87 avg rating — 830 ratings 

In THE EVER NIGHT the Tides sought selter from the Aether storms.  But the cave they find has memories for Brooke, and events --like her losing Perry-- forces her to consider who she is now.

Page Count:  82
no reading information available

INTO THE STILL BLUE
(bk#3 Under the Ever Sky)

4.35 avg rating — 2,615 ratings

Can Perry and Aria save Cinder?  Can they reach the Still Blue before Sable and Hess?

It's up to Perry and Aria to unit the Outsiders and Dweller to bring order and balance to the world.

Page Count: 400
no reading information currently available 


compiled by Pam
updated February 2014

LITTLE RED HEN books at the First Grade reading level

I've always loved the Little Red Hen. It's probably the gardening and imagining the warm bread fresh from the oven.  But even as a child I enjoyed reading and having this story read to me regardless of which version it was, and whether the hen shared her goodies or not.

Here are the Little Red Hen books at the First Grade Reading Level.  Books at the Kindergarten reading level can be found here.

The Little Red Hen
by Amy Algie

The easiest first grade level book. It might be difficult to track down.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 264
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader: 1.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 22111


Little Red Hen
by Harriet Ziefert

Cute little book with simple sentences.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 344
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 42170
Lexile: 200L

The Little Red Hen
by Alan Trussell-Cullen

This book might be available through Pearson Learning. Here's a link to a teaching plan for this book: http://www.pearsonlearning.com/microsites/goodhabits/secure/assets/files/teachingplans/grade-k/GHGR07_GR_g1_TLRH.pdf

Reading Information:
Word Count: 346
Page Count: 16
Accelerated Reading level: 1.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 44390

• Little Red Hen books at the Kindergarten level can be found here 

compiled by Pam
updated February 2014 

LITTLE RED HEN books for Kindergarteners

THE LITTLE RED HEN is one of the classic tales of childhood.  Here are two versions for young readers to practice with.

**note: the plot in these super simple books isn't always crystal clear, so it's best I've found to discuss and read a more advanced version of the story first. 

THE LITTLE RED HEN
by Michèle Dufresne

Your local library might have this book. It's the easiest one available.









Reading Information:
Word Count:  96
Page Count: 16
Accelerated Reader: 0.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 158499

NOT I, NOT I
(Beginning to Read-Fairy Tales and Folklore)

by Margaret Hillert
illustrated by Diana Magnuson 

Love, love, love Margaret Hillert. Her little primers manage to tell a story with very few words, and this pre-primer will build confidence and delight small children with it's bright colors.

Word Count: 250
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 9386
Lexile: BR

• Little Red Hen books at the 1st Grade level can be found here 

compiled by Pam
updated February 2014 

VALENTINE DAY books for Kindergarten level readers

Valentine's Day is a fun day to share.  Here are some sweet little books at the Kindergarten reading level.

**all ratings from GoodReads

CLIFFORD'S VALENTINES
by Norman Bridwell

3.62 avg rating — 81 ratings

It's Clifford. And it's Valentines. And it's from Scholastic. What more do you need to know :)

Simple short sentences will be good practice for young Clifford lovers. Here's a sample of text from the first two pages:

It is Valentine's Day.

Clifford gets a card.
It is from a boy.

The story is essentially about the cards that Clifford receives. And what Clifford will do in return to show his friends how he feels about them. The most difficult words are Valentine's, Clifford, carrier, and everyone.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 96
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59502
Lexile: BR
--sample pages available


I LOVE YOU, DEAR DRAGON
by Margaret Hillert

3.86 avg rating — 21 ratings

Margaret Hillert is the author of many children's books that moms and teachers have relied on to engage and teach beginning readers. Her series about a boy and his pet dragon covers many topics. In this book it's all about Valentine's Day and noticing all things red... and more.


For example, there's a red fire engine, cardinal, stop light, school, and apples. Valentines come into the story when Boy and Dragon make mother a special homemade card. Mother gives them a heart-shaped cake, and father reads the pair Valentine stories. Sample text follows:

Here is one for you to eat.And here is one for you.It is good for you and pretty, too.

Word Count: 277
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 9372
Lexile: BR
--not readily available for sale 

VALENTINES DAY
by Josie Keogh

Large font and bright pictures are featured in this practice reader. 

Word Count: 43
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader:  0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 156117
-- Spanish!   Dia De San Valentin

I LOVE VALENTINES DAY
by Hans Wilhelm

Noodles was expecting lots of Valentine's Day cards, but it seems like he didn't get any. Soon enough, he realizes that love is in the air.

Word Count:  81
Accelerated Reader:  0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz:  154279
--not readily available for sale

BIG HEART! A VALENTINES DAY TALE
by Joan Holub

3.42 avg rating — 12 ratings

The ants are busy making a big Valentine's Day card! They are adding lace and other pretties to it. But who will they send it to?  Could it be their teacher?

Told in rhymes!

Word Count: 104
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader:  0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 159245 
Lexile: 40L
--and this link too

compiled by Pam
updated February 2014