Literature grows the young reader’s vocabulary and provides a model for oral and written language. Young readers in kindergarten and the early elementary grades enjoy the same books as older preschoolers; however, now they can point out words and extend the language and plots. illustrated “I can read” books join picture books that now may be longer and have more complicated plots and mature themes. Chapter books extend the child’s interest over time. As children get older, books can help them cope with and understand the not always kind and pleasant realities of life, and of course, the silliness that lurks everywhere.

Ages 6 - 8

	A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet, Written and Illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson

	The Chicken Chasing Queen of Lamar County, written by Janice N. Harrington, Illustrated by Shelley Jackson

	*Captain Abdul's Little Treasure, written by Colin McNaughton*

	*The BFG, written by Roald Dahl*

	*Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship, written by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff*, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu, Illustrated by Peter Greste

	Diary of a Worm, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss

	Frida, written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Ana Juan

	Schoolyard Rhymes, written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

	Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq, written and illustrated Mark Alan Stamaty

	When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson, written by Pam Muñoz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznick

	Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart, written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams

	Li'L Dan the Drummer Boy, written and illustrated by Romare Bearden

	Clever Beatrice written by Margaret Willey and illustrated by Heather Solomon

	The Quiltmaker's Gift, written by Jeff Brumbeau and illustrated by Gail De Marcken

	Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions, Written by Margaret Musgrove and Illustrated by Diane Dillon

	Alphabet City, Written and Illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson

	The Graphic Alphabet, Written and Illustrated by David Pelletier

	What Do Wheels Do All Day? , written by April Jones Prince and illustrated by Giles Laroche

	Brother Juniper , written by Diane Gibfriend and illustrated by Meilo So

	The Ramona Collection, written by Beverly Cleary

	An Egg is Quiet, written by Dianna Hutts Aston and Illustrated by Sylvia Long

	That's What Friends Do, written by Catherine Cave

	Iris and Walter and the Field Trip, written by Elissa Haden

	Aesop's Fables, written by Jerry Pinkney

	Oxford First Book of Art, written by Gillian Wolfe

	Sheila Rae, The Brave, written by Kevin Henkes

	*Nate the Great and the Stolen Base, written by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and illustrated by Marc Simont*

	The Little Stone Lion, written and illustrated by Mark Teague

	*Picasso and Mineau, written by P.I. Maltbie and illustrated Pau Estrada*

	*The Sun is So Quiet (audio cassette)* by Nikki Giovanni

	Flossie the Fox, written by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by Rachel Isadora

	*Stephanie's Ponytail, written by and illustrated by Robert N. Munsch*

	The Wishing Bone and Other Poems, written by Cynthia Rylant

	Martin Bridge, Ready for Take Off , written by Jessica Scott Kerrin

	A Hatful of Seuss by Dr. Seuss

	The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, written by Jon Scieszka

	The Paper Bag Princess, written by Robert Munsch

	Science Verse, written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith

	When We Were Very Young, written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

	Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child's Book of Poems, written by M. White

	*Talking Like the Rain: A Read-To-Me Book of Poems, written by X.J. Kennedy* and illustrated by Jane Dyer

	Oh, No! Where are My Pants and Other Disasters: Poems, written by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Wolf Erlbruch

	Silly and Sillier: Read-Aloud Tales from Around the World, written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev

	I Saw Your Face, written by Kwame Dawes and illustrated by Tom Feelings

	Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Suçie Stevenson

	Amelia Bedelia, written by Peggy Parish and illustrated by Fritz Siebel

	Many Moons, written and illustrated by James Thurber

Ages 9-12

	An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming, written by Al Gore

	Ah, Music, written by Aliki

	Goha the Wise Fool, written by Denys Johnson-Davies and illustrated by Fatou and Ahmed

	The Pepins and their Problems, written and illustrated by Polly Horvath

	The Wolves in the Walls, written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean

	Pio Peep! Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes, written and illustrated by Ellen Sensi

	Oxford First Book of Art, written by Gilian Wolfe

	Clyde Monster, written by Robert L. Crowe and illustrated by Kay Chorao

	The Wind in the Willows, written by Kenneth Grahame

	Alice in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll

	Fables, written by Bill Willingham

	Dirty Laundry Pile: Poems written in Different Voices, written by Paul Janeczko and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

	Bunnicula, written by Deborah and James Howe