Books, resources, and literacy support for reading levels that grow with your child
 
January 2026
 
    January is the start of a new year and a new series! Over the next five months, we will cover the five practices of early literacy: singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing. We’ll dive deeper into how to continue using each of these practices as your child builds their literacy skills and starts reading on their own. If this is your first time hearing of the five practices, take a moment to read a little more about them from the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL) here.
 
    Our first practice is singing. Music can introduce new words, develop listening skills, and provide the opportunity to practice rhyming. Read more on that from Reading Rockets. Music also supports phonological awareness by isolating syllables in words and connecting them to a note so that children can hear each part of a word.
 
    Now let's explore more musical books at each of our Beginning Reader levels!
 
 
Books about Music and Rhyming
 
Phonics Readers
For brand-new readers making connections between letter sounds.
Dax, Max, and the Box: Book 8 by Robert Sutro
Dax, Max, and the Box
by Robert Sutro

It's Hal's birthday. Dax and Max need to find the perfect box for Hal's birthday hat. This book focuses on the phonemes l and x.
 
Check out this read alike, Who is this?, focusing on S and T blends next!
#2 Stop, Drop, and Flop in the Slop: A Short Vowel Sounds Book with Consonant Blends by Brian P. Cleary
Stop, Drop, and Flop in the Slop
by Brian P. Cleary

Come along with me and learn all about reading! Brian P. Clearys wacky sentences and Jason Miskiminss colorful art will make phonics fun!
 
Check out this read alike, The Bug in the Jug Wants a Hug, to practive short vowel sounds next.
Joe and the Globe: Book 10 by Taryn Painter
Joe and the Globe
by Taryn Painter

Joe needs to find something to share for Show and Tell. What will he bring? This book focuses on the vowel teams oa, ow, and oe.
 
Check out more by Taryn Painter here.
Emergent Readers
For readers working on recognizing and blending words to make simple sentences.
The Mambo Rescue!: Ready-To-Read Level 1 by Patricia Lakin
The Mambo Rescue!
by Patricia Lakin

Mo the lovable tow truck likes to mambo while he works. When ten cars get stuck in a snowstorm, Mo has to mambo faster than ever before to get them out!
 
Check out more Patricia Lakin books here.
MIA and the Dance for Two by Robin Farley
Mia and the Dance for Two
by Robin Farley

Mia and her friends are excited to learn a new dance, but on class day Mia finds herself without a partner.
 
Check out the audiobook on Libby or the ebook on Hoopla
The King Who Loved to Sing by Spencer Brinker
The King Who Loved to Sing
by Spencer Brinker

There once was a king who loved to sing. It was his very favorite thing. But could a bee sting prevent his ability to sing? Find out in this fun and quirky story that teaches early readers lots of ing words! The expertly crafted text uses this rhyming pattern along with strong picture cues to help early readers get the reading practice they need.
 
Check out more books by Spencer Brinker here.
Early Readers
For readers starting to read on their own with longer sentences and more advanced storylines.

Really Bird, Really Good Beach Party (Really Bird Stories #8) by Harriet Ziefert
Really Bird, Really Good Beach Party
by Harriet Ziefert

In Really Bird, Really Great Beach Party, Really Bird and his friends decide to have a beach party, but organization will be the key to pulling off this fun event.
 
Check out more Really Bird books here.
This Makes Me Anxious: First Day of School by Courtney Carbone
This Makes Me Anxious: First Day of School
by Courtney Carbone

A six-year-old girl prepares for the first day of school and all the feelings that come with it.
 
Check out more books by Courtney Carbone here.
Berenstain Bears Around the World by Mike Berenstain
Berenstain Bears Around the World
by Mike Berenstain

Climb aboard the Anywhere-Anyplace Machine with the Berenstain Bears. From the plains of Africa to the Great Wall of China, there are more sights to see than points on a map!
 
Check out more of the Berenstain Bears' adventures here.
Transitional Readers
For newly independent readers with basic chapters and genres as they build reading confidence.
The Magnificent Makers #3: Riding Sound Waves by Theanne Griffith
Riding Sound Waves
by Theanne Griffith

In the Maker Maze--a magical makerspace--Violet and Pablo, along with their classmate Henry, learn all about the senses and how different people might experience them.
 
Catch up with the rest of the series here.
Eva in the Band: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries #17) by Rebecca Elliott
Eva in the Band
by Rebecca Elliott

When a band drops out of Battle of the Bands Eva and her friends decide to form a band of their own. A secret singer joins the chorus and it really sounds good, but she flies away before anyone can identify her.
 
Catch up with the rest of the Owl Diaries series here.
The World of Emily Windsnap: Shona Finds Her Voice by Liz Kessler
Shona Finds Her Voice
by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap's best friend, Shona Silkfin, is a mermaid who loves to sing ... but only when she is by herself. So when Shiprock School announces a talent show whose winner will have the honor of meeting King Neptune, everyone is excited to perform--except Shona, who is too nervous to sign up. But when Emily overhears her friend singing, she's amazed by Shona's beautiful voice. With Emily's encouragement, Shona decides to enter the talent show.
 
Catch up with Emily and Shona in the rest of the series here.
Just for Caregivers
Books to help with at-home learning to read support.
Rock Your Literacy Block: Mighty Moves to Organize Your Day and Optimize Student Learning by Lindsay Kemeny
Rock Your Literacy Block: Mighty Moves to Organize Your Day and Optimize Student Learning
by Lindsay Kemeny

As teachers learn about the science of reading, they're gaining knowledge about the what, but not so much the how. In other words, they don't have a clear picture of how to implement research-backed daily reading instruction... until now! Expert primary-level teacher, Lindsay Kemeny, guides readers through her literacy block, step-by-step - from morning arrival to whole-class and small-group instruction to literacy centers, writing time, and read-aloud. Loaded with teaching, planning, and management tips, sample schedules and routines, and connections to her bestselling 7 Mighty Moves, this book is a valuable resource for any K-3 teacher.
 
Also available as an audiobook on Hoopla.
Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards: Nurturing Children′s Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning by Gera Jacobs
Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards: Nurturing Children′s Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning
by Gera Jacobs

The authors help readers create well-planned projects and activities that capture childrens interest and develop the critical social and pre-academic skills identified in state standards.
 
Check out Literacy for All Young Learners next!
 
Handley Behind the Scenes Tour: Kid Edition
 
Join us for a special kid edition of the Handley Library branch tour that will take you behind the scenes to all floors of the building. Can you find Judge John Handley? Come learn about the architecture and history as you complete a library scavenger hunt. Walk on the famous glass floors and peer down the well built into the stage. *Ages 5+ with caregivers.
 
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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