Books, resources, and literacy support for reading levels that grow with your child
What Do the Colors Mean? - Yellow!
 
Last month, we discussed the red stickers of our newly leveled Beginning Reader collection and Phonics. This month, we'll cover the yellow stickers - Emergent Readers. These books contain simple text, rhyming lines, and repeated phrases alongside lots of pictures. Basic concepts are used to continue developing print awareness and practice blending words.
 
Blending might include blending syllables, or individual sounds. This Reading Rockets video has a great exercise on blending to try with your little! The beginning gives some background on how kids learn to read, and the exercise starts around the 17:30 minute mark. Give it a try!
 
Now that we've learned more about blending, let's explore some fantasy stories at all our reading levels!
 
 
Books about Fantasy
 
Phonics Readers
For brand-new readers making connections between letter sounds.
Little bit : the sound of short I by Peg Ballard
Little Bit: The Sound of Short I
by Peg Ballard

Simple text and repetition of the letter "i" help readers learn how to use this sound.
 
Ready to keep working with the sound of "i?" Try Smiles: The Sound of Long I by Robert Noyed next!
The smell spell by Taryn Painter
The Smell Spell
by Taryn Painter

Jill has a spell cast on her. Now she can't smell! This book focuses on the double consonants ff, ll, and ss.
 
Keep practicing double consonants with Beach Day by Taryn Painter.
My map : the sound of m by Lisa Bernier
My Map: The Sound of M
by Lisa Bernier

Simple text and repetition of the letter 'm' help readers learn how to use this sound. Additional features to aid comprehension include a word list for review, a note to parents and educators, and an introduction to the author.
 
Check out more "m" sounds with My "M" Sound Box by Jane Moncure.
Emergent Readers
For readers working on recognizing and blending words to make simple sentences.
A magical parade by April Showers
A Magical Parade
by April Showers

When a last-minute problem puts the big parade celebrating the Festival of Crowns in jeopardy, Afro Unicorns and best friends Magical, Unique and Divine must work together to find a solution.
 
Want more unicorns? Check out our Uni the Unicorn books.
Bigfoots at the beach by Rebecca Colby
Bigfoots at the Beach
by Rebecca Colby

A beach day story about two bigfoots who compare everything, like who can build the taller sandcastle. Come along with Bud and Bab as they teach readers about comparison words.
 
Read more by author Rebecca Colby here.
Wait a minotaur by Jeffrey Ebbeler
Wait a Minotaur
by Jeffrey Ebbeler

It's the first day of school for Nick, a human, and Gus, a minotaur, as they dance with band practice, bounce in the gym and get lost, they must retrace their steps to find their classroom.
 
 Read more by author Jeffrey Ebbeler here.
Early Readers
For readers starting to read on their own with longer sentences and more advanced storylines.

Treasure map by Brandon Todd
Treasure Map
by Brandon Todd

Moving to a new town, Clarke meets Miguel and the two soon become fast friends, and with their walkie-talkies and compass in hand, they map out their neighborhood and search for hidden treasure.
 
Want more treasure maps? Check out The Berenstain Bears' Seashore Treasure next. Or prefer an e-book? Check one out on Hoopla!
Magic runs wild by Alexandra West
Magic Runs Wild
by Alexandra West

Join Izzy as she explores magical portals that lead to hidden worlds!
 
Read the next book in the series: Misty's Tale. Or prefer an e-book? Check one out on Hoopla!
Meet Tinker Bell / :  Meet Tinker Bell by Apple Jordan
Meet Tinker Bell
by Apple Jordan

Not so sure that she wants to be a tinker fairy, Tinker Bell asks her friends to help her find a new talent--with disastrous results.
 
Read more from Tinker Bell and friends here.
Transitional Readers
For newly independent readers with basic chapters and genres as they build reading confidence.
Emily's big discovery by Liz Kessler
Emily's Big Discovery
by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap doesn't know how to swim. So when swimming lessons start at school, Emily is excited to finally have the chance to learn. Standing beside the pool, she feels the water calling her, but when she jumps in, she gets a strange, kind of scary sensation ... like her legs are stuck together. She looks down to see that her legs are gone--replaced by a shiny, beautiful tail!
 
Catch up with the rest of Emily Windsnap's friends here. Get more Emily Windsnap on Libby too, available as e-books and audiobooks!
Cave of the Crystal dragon / :  A Branches Book by Tracey West
Cave of the Crystal Dragon
by Tracey West
    
While trying to rescue their friend Griffith, Drake and Rori team up with a boy named Llew and try to gain the trust of a Crystal Dragon.
 
Catch up with the rest of the Dragon Masters series here. Prefer an e-book or audiobook? Check out both on Libby and Hoopla!
The ember stone by Katrina Charman
The Ember Stone
by Katrina Charman

When a powerful vulture uses dark magic and an army of spies to attack the magical land of Perodia, a tiny owl, his squirrel best friend and a lone surviving firehawk become their home's unlikely defenders.
 
Read the rest of the series here. Prefer an e-book? Check this one out on Hoopla!
Just for Caregivers
Books to help with at-home learning to read support.
Literacy unlocked : how to implement the science of reading with young learners by Amie Burkholder
Literacy Unlocked: How to Implement the Science of Reading with Young Learners
by Amie Burkholder

Unlocking Literacy explores the pivotal role of early literacy instruction in shaping a child's reading development and overall academic success. The book will equip educators and parents with research-backed insights and practical, accessible strategies to implement the science of reading to ensure future generations excel. Burkholder shifts the focus from reactive intervention to a proactive approach to literacy instruction that addresses problems before they arise.
 
 Prefer an e-reader? Check out the ebook on Hoopla instead.
Shifting the balance : 6 ways to bring the science of reading into the balanced literacy classroom by Jan Miller Burkins
Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom
by Jan Miller Burkins

The writers introduce a handful of instructional shifts offered from an invitational stance. Helping readers consider research beyond a one size fits all mentality and confronting their own biases and misunderstandings. Explore ways Balanced Literacy practitioners can reimagine early literacy instruction by incorporating some powerful tenants from the Science of Reading.
 
 Want more literacy acitivties for your littles? Check out More Than Letters next.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Handley Regional Library System
100 W Piccadilly St
Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 662-9041

https://www.handleyregional.org/
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