Dear Gaila,
My daughter has just started first grade. Last year she learned the basics of reading in Kindergarten. You've told us that for our daughter to be a better reader she must READ, READ and READ! The problem is that she barely knows how to read! What books can I give her to read?!
Bookless Mother
Dear Bookless Mother,
I will give you a list of my top books and series for emergent readers. These emergent readers usually have only two to five large print words on a page. The words, phrases or even full sentences repeat themselves. The pictures convey a lot of the meaning. Despite the limitations, the language flows and the plot is fun or interesting. Despite readers' obvious limitations in reading they will feel like they are reading books. And they truly are!
So here are a few of my favorites:
First of all, very often you can find series of them such as Bob Books.
There are social science or science books (many boys find them fascinating!) from Scholastic.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault is a classic to enjoy.
Of course, Dr. Suess is a master of this! Ten Apples Up On Top, and Hop on Pop come to mind right away.
Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggie series is also very good. The action and plot all appeal to the emergent reader.
Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle have the magic touch too with Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
Have fun introducing your daughter to the excitement and pleasure of reading!
Gaila
Gaila has almost 40 year of experience teaching and runs A.H.A.V.A., a non-profit to promote English literacy. Would you like to ask Gaila a question? Email us at ahava.org@gmail.com or send us a message. Look out for more Dear Gaila columns