First Grade: Recommended Books
 
 
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Picture Books
Perfect
by Max Amato

A fussy eraser and a mischievous pencil spar in a lighthearted picture book adventure that finds them out-performing each other before they decide to work together for the sake of fun and imagination. A debut picture book.
Rosie Revere, engineer
by Andrea Beaty

Hiding her prowess as a talented inventor by day, at night Rosie resolves to complete her great-great-aunt Rose's (aka Rosie the Riveter) unfinished flying contraption and is temporarily discouraged when the invention hovers instead of flies, a seeming failure that Aunt Rose encourages her to recognize as an amazing success. By the author of Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies.
The very impatient caterpillar : am I a butterfly yet?
by Ross Burach

A STEM-friendly, laugh-out-loud introduction to metamorphosis depicts a nervous and very impatient little caterpillar who nudges a fellow caterpillar for facts about their transformation while struggling to wait through a long stretch in his cocoon.
The epic adventures of Huggie & Stick
by Drew Daywalt

When a grumpy stuffed bunny and a happy-go-lucky stick fall out of their boy's backpack, they embark on an odyssey that takes them all around the world, experiencing one crazy adventure after another
Cece loves science
by Kimberly Derting

A STEM-themed series debut follows an inquisitive youngster who teams up with her best friend in an effort to use science to answer the pressing question about whether or not her adorable dog, Einstein, eats vegetables. 40,000 first printing.
Grace goes to Washington
by Kelly DiPucchio

Learning about the branches of the U.S. government during a field trip to Washington, D.C., Grace joins her fellow student council members to use government approaches in a debate about how best to spend fundraising money. 35,000 first printing. Illustrations.
Potato pants!
by Laurie Keller

A potato who happily goes to Lance Vance's Fancy Pants store during a one-day sale is dismayed when he runs into his pushy eggplant rival, who Potato must stand up to in order to get his new stripey potato pants. By the best-selling creator of Arnie the Doughnut
Dreamers
by Yuyi Morales

"An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story"
You're snug with me
by Chitra Sounder

Born deep in their frozen north den at the start of winter, two bear cubs ask what lies beyond their home and discover the secrets of the earth, their place in it and the snug safety they share with their mother.
Early Readers
Don't throw it to Mo!
by David A. Adler

Accepted by his football teammates despite being their youngest member, little Mo is teased by a rival team until his coach devises a plan to use his smaller size to enable a big win. Original.
What is inside THIS box?
by Drew Daywalt

Unlikely best friends Monkey and Cake get into a disagreement about what might be inside Monkey's mysterious box and explore such options as a kitty and a dinosaur, in a debut entry in an early reader series by the author of The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
Penny and her song
by Kevin Henkes

A first entry in a new series by the Caldecott Medal-winning author of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Kitten's First Full Moon introduces sweet and curious little mouse Penny, who longs to share a special song with her family without waking her baby siblings. 150,000 first printing.
My friends make me happy!
by Jan Thomas

Inviting children to guess what mysterious thing that starts with the letter F makes him really happy, Sheep exuberantly reveals that fish, fans and turnips are not the answer, and that the most important things in his life are his friends. 25,000 first printing.
Are you ready to play outside?
by Mo Willems

Elephant's friend Piggie just can't wait to go out and play in the sunshine, but the rain clouds just don't want to cooperate. By the creator of There's a Bird on Your Head! 75,000 first printing.
Early Chapter Books
King and Kayla and the case of the missing dog treats
by Dori Hillestad Butler

King's human, Kayla, has baked some treats for a friend's new puppy, Thor, but some go missing and it is up to King to find the culprit
Mercy Watson to the rescue
by Kate DiCamillo

After Mercy the pig snuggles to sleep with Mr. and Mrs. Watson, all three awaken with the bed teetering on the edge of a big hole in the floor. Jr Lib Guild.
Meet Yasmin!
by Saadia Faruqi

In this compilation of four separately published books, Pakistani American second grader Yasmin learns to cope with the small problems of school and home, while gaining confidence in her own skills and creative abilities
Charlie & Mouse
by Laurel Snyder

Two inventive young brothers share a series of wacky adventures involving conversations with lumps, a neighborhood party, a rock-selling venture and the creation of the "bedtime banana." Simultaneous eBook.
Nonfiction
Dreaming up : a celebration of building
by Christy Hale

"A collection of concrete poetry, illustrations, and photographs that shows how young children's constructions, created as they play, are reflected in notable works of architecture from around the world. Includes biographies of the architects, quotations, and sources"--Provided by publisher
Never smile at a monkey : and 17 other important things to remember
by Steve Jenkins

Offers early readers an informative, cautionary guide to wild animals, including pythons and tigers, through an overview of the unique skills many have developed to protect themselves from harm that can also render them unexpectedly hazardous to humans.
A cool drink of water
by Barbara Kerley

Poetic text and vibrant National Geographic photography bring home the point of people's common need for water by depicting folks from around the world collecting, chilling, and drinking water.
Finding treasure : a collection of collections
by Michelle Schaub

Clever poems tell the story of one inquisitive child’s quest to start just the right collection to share at school. Illustrations.
Dolphins
by Melissa Stewart

A lively introduction to dolphins describes their wild attributes and high intelligence while encouraging youngsters to become aware of the need to conserve their natural environment, in a lavishly photographed volume complemented by interactive diagrams. Simultaneous.
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
800 Chestnut St
Western Springs, Illinois 60558
(708) 246-0520
fordlibrary.org

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