By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 3, 2010
So you think your child is emerging as a reader? Summer may just be the season to nurture your child’s desire to read, by reading books with him that are engaging and predictable and have pictures that clearly relate-to and illustrate the story line. If you’re not sure whether your child is an emerging reader, you may enjoy this article: How to Tell if Your Child is Ready to Read by Lynn Maslen Kertell, Bob Books Publications.
The following recommendations have been selected because of their large text, repetitive patterns, repeated vocabulary, wide spacing, limited text on pages, and familiar concepts. They have been listed from easiest to more difficult.
Dinosaur Hunt (Max Spaniel)by David Catrow
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Orchard Books (August 1, 2009)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Spaniels, Dogs, Bones
There is so much to love about this book. Dinosaur Hunt has minimal, large, repetitive text with a touch of rhyme—perfect for emerging readers—and it still manages to pack a powerful punch of entertainment. Max Spaniel, who is not a dog but a great hunter, is off on a dinosaur hunt. He discovers many house and garden items which he mistakes for dinosaur parts—rightly so, when you see the final illustration. David Catrow is a master illustrator who also has a knack with words. Bravo!
Add this book to your collection: Dinosaur Hunt (Max Spaniel)
More “Max Spaniel” summer reading: Funny Lunch
Fly Guy Meets Fly Girlby Tedd Arnold
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (January 1, 2010)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Flies, Friendship
Fly Guy is a great series for emerging readers due to the fact that it has limited, large-sized text on each page—not to mention Tedd Arnold’s very funny illustrations. In this installment, Buzz and Fly Guy are bored and discover that new adventures can bring chance meetings with new friends. The latter makes a great topic for summer reading.
Add this book to your collection: Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl
More “Fly Guy” summer reading: I Spy Fly Guy
Gilbert, the Surfer Dude (I Can Read Book 2)
by Diane Degroat
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (May 25, 2010)
Source of book: Publisher
What to expect: Beach, Surfing, Opossums
This is a book for children that are strengthening their literacy skills but are still needing some help. It’s broken down into 3 short chapters with large text and wide spacing. The overall story of Gilbert’s family beach vacation is quite amusing—Gilbert forgets to pack his bathing suit, his mother purchases him some new “surfer dude” trunks that are a little too big, which he loses while learning to surf (he finds them, of course)! The illustrations are fun and relatable. Thumbs-up!
Add this book to your collection: Gilbert, the Surfer Dude (I Can Read Book 2)
You may also enjoy the following summer reading list: Kids’ Summer Reading Lists: Prereading / Ages 3-5
