Oakleigh Library Kindergarten
Reading Lists
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Children who are read to become better readers; when you read aloud to your Kindergartner, you help him or her develop the skills necessary to become a successful reader. Practice oral language skills as you talk about the books you have read together.
Emergent Kindergarten
_ Moo Ba LaLaLa by Sandra Boynton
_ Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr.
_ Lunch by Denis Fleming
_ Mouse Paint by Ellen S. Walsh
_ Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Intermediate KINDERGARTEN
_ Lily Brown’s Paintings by Angela Johnson
_ Seven Little Monsters by Maurice Sendak
_ Tumble Bumble by Felicia Bond
_ One Stuck Duck by Phyllis Root
_ Little Quack’s Hide and Seek by Lauren
Thompson
_ Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan
Ahlberg
Authors Audrey and Bruce Wood:
_ Alphabet Rescue by
_ Alphabet Adventure
_ Alphabet Mystery
Author Eric Carle:
_ The Tiny Seed
_ The Very Hungry Caterpillar
_ The Very Quiet Cricket
_ Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me
_ A House for Hermit Crab
_ From Head to Toe
_ The Very Busy Spider
_ “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” said the Sloth
_ Little Cloud
_ 10 Little Ducks
_ The Grouchy Ladybug
_ Pancakes, Pancakes
_ Count! by Denise Fleming
Advanced KINDERGARTEN
_ I Like Me! by N. Carlson
_ How to be a Friend by L. K. Brown
_ Shiver Me Letters~ A Pirate ABC by June
Sobel
_ Kindergarten Rocks by K. Davis
_ You’re a God Dog, Carl! by Alexandra Day
_ Harry, the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
_ Shades of Black by Sandra L. Pickney
_ Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
_ If you Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura
Numeroff
_ Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlen Mosel
_ Alligator Baby by Robert Munch
_ Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by
Verna Aarderna
_ Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann
_ Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
_ Dr. Seuss books
_ Nursery Rhymes, Folktales, and Fairy Tales
KINDERGARTENERS’ QUOTES ABOUT BOOKS
“I like to read books at bedtime.”
“I feel happy when I look at the pictures.”
“I like superhero books, they’re cool!”
“The pictures help me with the words.”
“When I read books I feel happy!”
“I put books back when I am finished so that they don’t get ruined.”
“Sometimes books make you feel sad but sometimes they make you feel happy.”
“I have a hard time reading books but the pictures help me figure out the words.”
“Books are exciting and make me want to read more and more and more!”
“Books make me feel great because I love to read and the pictures are beautiful.”
“I like to learn from books.”
“I like books because you feel you’re in them.”
“When you read a bunch you learn.”
“I like to read books because my mom is proud of me.”
“I like books that are funny and I don’t like books that don’t have a happy ending.”
“Reading is relaxing.”
“I don’t like when a book gives me a paper cut.”
Why is reading so important for children?
Research shows that reading aloud to young children assists with building phonemic awareness and in developing early literacy skills. Daily reading helps students maintain and further reading fluency and comprehension skills during the months school is not in session. Frequent reading exposes children to new concepts and ideas, increases background knowledge, and builds vocabulary; leading to greater reading comprehension.
In this digital era, what can parents do to encourage more reading?
Although formats for enjoying great literature change--great books whether bound or downloaded—open minds, inspire the imagination, allow diversion, and perpetuate a lifelong thirst for knowledge. What’s more—for a child’s active and developing brain-- research shows summer reading reduces skill loss and increases readiness for the entering school year. A greatly paired and interest-based book read in a quiet spot will balance out a young learner’s time with technology.
What goals are appropriate to set for my child’s dedicated summer reading?
Your child’s individual reading goals should be developmentally appropriate. However, it is recommended for students of all grade levels to read or be read to at least 15 minutes each day.
What are Lexiles and grade equivalencies? How do I select a book matched to my child’s individual needs?
A Lexile is a measure of the readability and/or the difficulty of a book. For example, 4.0 would indicate a book’s grade level of readability and/or difficulty is that of beginning 4th grade year. 4.5 would indicate 4th grade midyear, and so forth. Grade level equivalencies are noted next to the books listed below so that you can select books that are a close match to your child’s reading ability and skills. Selecting books that are just right assist in promoting a reader’s success and overall reading enjoyment.