A photograph shows two children sharing a microscope. The title reads, Homeschool.
HOMESCHOOL BOOKLIST
Irresistible Picture Books (J-Easy)
The cover for Short Dog, Long Dog shows two dogs knitted from yarn.
Short Dog, Long Dog: A Book of Opposites
by Anna Hrachovec
 
Amusing rhyming verses combine with funny artwork to introduce a cast of canines along with the concept of opposites: "Short dog, long dog, huge or tiny. Itchy on the head, or scratchy on the hiney." Each phrase is accompanied with an absolutely adorable knitted dog whose body shape and face bring the text to life. The book brims with bright colors and comical touches, and the pooches are amazingly expressive. Fun to read aloud, this book could also be used to introduce the concept of opposites. Check out Catside Up, Catside Down for a similarly appealing treatment of prepositions. 
 
Ages 4 - 9
Opposites; Humor; Creative Illustrations; Dogs
Available as eBook
The cover for The Book that Can Read Your Mind shows a cartoon bunny rabbit standing in front of a stage.
The Book that Can Read Your Mind
by Marianna Coppo
 
Don’t be fooled by this innocent looking picture book. The action is set against pages made to look like a stage. Lady Rabbit, a magician, offers to read the minds of readers by asking them to pick out a member from the illustrated audience and then telling them to turn to a specific page, and then turn to another. And, voilà, it actually works! An author's note explains that this book is based on historical works, similar to this one, from the 17th century. Ambitious kids can make their own version.
 
Ages 5 - 9 
Curiosities; Interactive Books; Puzzles; Mathematical Models
Available as eBook
The cover for Don't Trust Fish shows the image of a fish.
Don't Trust Fish
by Neil Sharpson; illustrated by Dan Santat
 
This may seem like a simple picture book, but it is perfectly aimed at older kids who can listen to a story and hear what is REALLY happening. An unseen narrator describes the five different kingdoms of animals with facts and realistic artwork. However, the book goes humorously off the rails when the narrator gets to the fish kingdom (this is accomplished with illogical asides, witty humor, and fantastical artwork). The final page reveals who is really narrating this book, and kids will want to read it again once they realize what was happening. A laugh-out-loud funny book that will have kids thinking about who may or may not be telling the truth.
 
Ages 5 - 8 
Determining Authorship of Stories; Humor 
Available as eBook
The cover for Mousetronaut Saves the World shows three mouse astronauts posed in front of a rocket.
Mousetronaut Saves the World: Based on a (Partially) True Story
by Mark E. Kelly; illustrated by C.F. Payne
 
When NASA scientists discover that an asteroid may collide with Earth, they decide that it would take too long to build a manned spaceship. Instead, they send Meteor (star of Mousetronaut Goes to Mars) and his mouse crew to redirect the asteroid. The brave space travelers encounter challenges along the way but work hard to save the day. An author's note form Kelly, an experienced astronaut, helps explain the facts behind this entertaining adventure.
 
Ages 5 - 10 
Space Travel; Asteroids; Planets; Science Fiction 
Available as eBook
Beginning Readers (J-Reader)
The titles included in the section below feature short sentences, large type, controlled vocabulary, and abundant artwork that supports the text with visual clues. They are perfect for children learning to read and fun to share as family read-alouds. They are found in the J-Reader section of your favorite Library location.
 
The cover for The Best Beasts shows a group of smiling monsters.
The Best Beasts
by Kim Thompson; illustrated by Brett Curzon
 
This series has features that are helpful when looking for books for kids learning to read, including a list of high frequency words and very brief explanations of the how and why of some elements of phonics. There is a kid friendly story that is heavy on particular letter sounds, and those sounds are front and center – on the cover, even. This volume focuses on the long e sound and stars a cast of lovable creatures. Use the search phrase "My Decodable Readers" in the catalog to find more titles in this series.
 
Ages 4 - 7 
Learning to Read; Reading Practice; Monsters
The cover for I See a Rat shows a dog and a rat balancing on a ball.
I See a Rat
by Paul Meisel
 
Simple text in a large font, expressive illustrations, and a dynamic story make this a fun book to practice beginning reading skills. Something moving outside catches Dog's eye, but he can't quite figure out what he is seeing. Then he is awakened from nap by a surprising visitor — will the two become friends? Seek out Paul Meisel’s other books in the "I Like to Read" series — they are all similarly presented and equally appealing.
 
Ages 4 - 7
Learning to Read; Reading Practice; Friendship; Animals
The cover for We Dig Fossils shows a girl running through a fossil bed with other characters behind her.
We Dig Fossils
by Alliah L. Agostini; illustrated by Joelle Murray
 
Ava loves rocks of all shapes and sizes but she really wants to find a fossil. When her family takes a trip to a Fossil Park, she can't wait to see what she might discover. This book features a basic vocabulary, very short sentences, and a simple, easy-to-follow story, making it a great choice for a child just reading with help, or just starting to read on their own. 
 
Ages 4 - 6
Learning to Read; Reading Practice; Fossils; Family Stories 
The cover for The Bad Idea and Other Stories shows cartoon images of a bird and a worm, smiling and sitting together on a rock.
The Bad Idea and Other Stories
by Greg Pizzoli
 
At first, Earl, an outgoing bird, and Worm, who is a bit shy, do not seem to have much in common. However, after a simple neighborly encounter reveals something that they can agree upon (neither likes to be alone), the two become fast friends. Three brief stories are filled with gentle humor and warmly illustrated with cartoons that support the text. The simple and repetitive language and short sentences support early readers, and the book's heartfelt charm and appealing characters also make it a great choice for family sharing. 
 
Ages 4 - 8
Learning to Read; Reading Practice; Friendship; Humor
The cover for A Day in the Life of a Firefighter shows two firefighters standing in front of a truck.
A Day in the Life of a Firefighter
by Paige Towler
 
This book features large text and a complete and interesting non-fiction presentation about one of our many community helpers. Full color photographs are informative and support the text. A short glossary and brief index with a five question "quiz" at the end of the book make this helpful for introducing those parts of books.
 
Ages 5 - 8 
Learning to Read; Reading Practice; Community Helpers; Firefighters; Parts of a Book   
Easy Chapter Books for Newly Confident Readers (J-Fiction)
The titles in the section below feature short chapters, large and easy-to-read fonts, simpler vocabulary, and plentiful illustrations. They are perfect for readers who are breezing through beginning reader books with confidence and ready to start delving into longer chapter books. They are also fantastic choices for sharing as lengthier family read-alouds. Look for them in the J-Fiction section of your favorite Library location. 
 
The cover for Sweet and Silly shows a dragon and a T. Rex sharing a bowl of spaghetti.
Sweet and Silly
by Susan Lubner; illustrated by Blythe Russo
 
The two characters from the first book in the "Drag and Rex" series, Forever Friends, return for another tale of friendship. Drag, an impulsive and imaginative dragon, and Rex, an ever-practical and patient T. Rex, share Valentine's Day gifts, decide what to cook for dinner, and try to come up with the best way to remember something that is easy to forget. Brief chapters and endearing illustrations convey the action, and the adventures unfold with gentle affection and smile-inducing humor. This book sweetly conveys what it means to be a good friend. 
 
Ages 6 - 9
Easy Chapter Books; Friendship; Dinosaurs; Dragons; Humor
The cover for The Case of the Missing Tadpoles shows a duck and a tadpole.
The Case of the Missing Tadpole
by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver; illustrated by Dan Santat
 
When Taddy the Tadpole goes missing, his frantic mother enlists the help of Willow, otherwise known as Detective Duck, and her friends in the Pond Squad. During their investigation, they also discover a pipe leaking a strange liquid and blue-green plants that are making it hard for the animals to breath. Both mysteries are solved in this action-packed who-done-it, which is illustrated with bright, cartoon-style artwork. Check out the companion volume, The Case of the Strange Splash, and keep an eye out for future books in the series.  
 
Ages 6 - 9
Easy Chapter Books; Mysteries; Animal Stories; Pond Habitat; Environmental Science 
Available as eBook and eAudiobook
The cover for Bunny and Clyde shows a rabbit and chipmunk running away with rolls of toilet paper.
Bunny and Clyde
by Megan McDonald; illustrated by Scott Nash
 
Bunny, a young rabbit, and her best buddy Clyde, a chipmunk, are tired of being good and always following the rules. They want to know what it's like to be rotten to the core — but pulling this off is not as easy as it would seem (even though they start off by researching at the library with books like Interrupting Chicken and Bad Kitty) — as their evil misdeeds always seem to turn out to be good deeds. Filled with humor and puns galore, and illustrated with lively pencil drawings, this fast-paced tale is engaging and entertaining.
 
Ages 6 - 9
Easy Chapter Books; Friendship; Animal Stories; Behavior; Humor
Available as eBook
The cover for Stella & Marigold shows a big sister with her little sister riding piggyback.
Stella & Marigold
by Annie Barrows; illustrated by Sophie Blackall
 
This sweet series starter introduces two delightful characters: seven-year-old Stella and her younger sister, Marigold. The siblings' close relationship is established with a flashback, as Stella remembers the very first day Marigold came home, promising her, "I am going to tell you all the secret things I know." Illustrated with warm-hued artwork, their adventures, flavored with entertaining shenanigans and lots of imagination, are simply delightful. Readers should also check out Barrows and Blackall's irresistible Ivy + Bean series.
  
Ages 6 - 9
Easy Chapter Books; Sisters; Family Stories; Day-to-day Life, Imagination 
Available as eBook and eAudiobook
The cover for Beti and the Little Round House shows a girl in the woods.
Beti and the Little Round House
by Atinuke; illustrated by Emily Hughes
 
Beti and her parents and baby brother share a "little round house in the green woods under the mountains," living close to nature without phones, electricity, or running water. From receiving a baby goat as a birthday present in spring to corralling escaped farm animals on a wintery night, four chapters follow the seasons to describe adventures that glow with themes of friendship and family love, self-reliance, and finding magic in the ordinary. Colorful artwork depicts the idyllic setting. 
 
Ages 6 - 9
Easy Chapter Books; Family Stories; Farm Animals; Living Close to Nature 
Pikes Peak Library District
P.O. Box 1579, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901
(719) 531-6333

https://ppld.org/