easy readers
Batter Up! Books About Baseball (a Librarian’s List)
By Betsy Farquhar |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on May 27, 2013; updated July, 2023) Aside from the beach, nothing says "summertime" and "American" more than a game ...
Read More Beach Books! (Librarians’ List)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Originally published at Redeemed Reader on June 6, 2014. Of course a professional book reviewer and librarian takes books with her to the beach—for herself ...
Read More 2023 Geisel Award Winner: I Did It! by Michael Emberley
By Janie Cheaney |
I Did It!, winner of this year’s Geisel Award for early readers, charmingly illustrates a common childhood experience: trying and failing. I Did It! by ...
Read More Geisel Roundup: A Seed Grows, Fish and Wave, Gigi and Ojiji, Owl and Penguin
By Janie Cheaney |
The 2023 Theodore Seuss Geisel honors books for beginning readers focus on friendship, family, and nature. A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portia. Neal Porter Books ...
Read More New Chapter Book series: Starla Jean and Cornbread & Poppy
By Janie Cheaney |
In these two enjoyable chapter-book series, Cornbread & Poppy are mismatched but loving friends and Starla Jean is a plucky protagonist. Cornbread & Poppy by ...
Read More Favorite Gardening Books for Kids
By Betsy Farquhar |
Spring has officially begun, and the garden beckons. Do you garden with your kids? If they're not interested, try a gardening book just for kids: ...
Read More Franklin Endicott and the Third Key by Kate DiCamillo
By Betsy Farquhar |
Franklin Endicott learns to appreciate mystery and story instead of worrying in this delightful chapter book from Kate DiCamillo. Franklin Endicott and the Third Key: ...
Read More John Klassen and Proverbs: A Guest Post from Sarah Hartman*
By Janie Cheaney |
John Klassen's Hat trilogy beautifully illustrates timeless truths from the book of Proverbs. I Want My Hat Back (2011), This is Not My Hat (2012), ...
Read More Multicultural Chapter Books: Yasmin, Kayla, and Mindy Kim
By Betsy Farquhar |
Yasmin, King and Kayla, and Mindy Kim are great multicultural early chapter books for young readers. Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi and illustrated by Hatem ...
Read More New Early Readers: Squirrels, Monsters, and Hedgehogs
By Betsy Farquhar |
Donut Feed the Squirrels, Monster and Boy, and Our Friend Hedgehog offer interesting new reading for new/early readers. Please note that the first two are ...
Read More The Geisels: A Beginning-Reader Roundup
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Theodor S. Geisel Honor Books: The Bear in My Family, Ty's Travels, What about Worms!?, and Where's Baby? The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award ...
Read More *See the Cat: Three stories about a dog
By Megan Saben |
A dog on a rug is quite understandably aggravated by the narrative narrator through three very short stories for beginning readers. Brilliant, clever, and hilarious. ...
Read More Mighty Reader and the Big Freeze by Will Hillenbrand
By Janie Cheaney |
Mighty Reader saves the day in this loveable picture book about learning to love books. Mighty Reader and the Big Freeze by Will Hillenbrand. Holiday ...
Read More Slugs and Bugs Easy Readers
By Megan Saben |
Who Will Play With Me? by Randall Goodman. Broadman & Holman, 2019. 57 pages. Are We Still Friends? by Randall Goodman. Broadman & Holman, 2019. ...
Read More *We are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant
By Betsy Farquhar |
The latest in the You are Not Small series, We Are (Not) Friends is a perfect read for new readers heading back to school. *We ...
Read More The Invention Hunters Series by Korwin Briggs
By Janie Cheaney |
By their wacky misunderstandings, the "Invention Hunters" help kids understand basic principles of applied science. The Invention Hunters Discover How Machines Work by Korwin Briggs. ...
Read More Look! I Wrote a Book! by Sally Lloyd Jones
By Janie Cheaney |
Sally Lloyd Jones shares the basics of book-writing with simple advice that works for any age. Look! I Wrote a Book (and You Can Too) ...
Read More Don’t Blame the Mud by Marty Machowski
By Janie Cheaney |
Don't Blame the Mud introduces children to the concept of indwelling sin in a way that they can relate to and grasp. Don’t Blame the ...
Read More Mercy Watson, the Porcine Wonder (books by Kate DiCamillo)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Meet Mercy Watson, the Porcine Wonder My kids and I first met Mercy Watson, the porcine wonder, in the pages of her first book: Mercy ...
Read More Special God by Julie Mililli
By Janie Cheaney |
Special God sets out to explain biblical theological concepts to young children and those with special needs. Special God by Julie Mililli, design by Matt ...
Read More Rabbit & Robot and Ribbit by CeCe Bell
By Betsy Farquhar |
Rabbit and Robot's friendship is tested when a new friend, Ribbit, enters the scene in this funny easy reader. Rabbit & Robot and Ribbit by ...
Read More A Colorful Past by William Boekestein
By Janie Cheaney |
A coloring book for elementary through middle grades offers a sweeping view of church history, from the first century to the twentieth. A Colorful Past: ...
Read More Back to School with Babymouse and Og the Frog
By Janie Cheaney |
Two back-to-school series for different ages tickle the funny bone, satirize social conventions, and even stimulate sympathy for others. Ages 6-12 Life According to Og ...
Read More Power Forward by Hena Khan
By Janie Cheaney |
Zayd's dream of playing basketball on his school's A-team clashes with his Muslim family's goals for him. Ages 6-10 Power Forward (Zayd Saleem, Chasing the ...
Read More *New Shoes by Sara Varon
By Janie Cheaney |
A delightful journey into the jungle awaits Francis the Donkey on his quest to make new shoes for his favorite Calypso singer. *New Shoes by ...
Read More Bible Review: NIrV Seek and Explore Holy Bible
By Janie Cheaney |
The NIrV Seek & Explore Bible takes a learning-styles approach that will be helpful for some kids but distracting for others. Ages 6-10 NIrV Seek ...
Read More *The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible by Jared Kennedy
By Janie Cheaney |
The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible strikes the right balance between scriptural faithfulness and a preschooler’s comprehension. *The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible by Jared Kennedy, illustrated ...
Read More *Cody and the Fountain of Happiness by Tricia Springstubb
By Janie Cheaney |
Eight-year-old Cody's enthusiasm for life is contagious in this sunny chapter-book series. Cody and the Fountain of Happiness (Cody series #1) by Tricia Springstubb, illustrated ...
Read More Kentucky Derby Book List: A Bakers Dozen
By Betsy Farquhar |
Calling all horse lovers! The Kentucky Derby runs this Saturday like it does every first Saturday of May. Will there be another Triple Crown winner ...
Read More The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
By Janie Cheaney |
This light, quick series-opener will keep reluctant readers reading between the laughs. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey. Scholastic, 2015, 137 pages Reading Level: Picture ...
Read More The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau
By Janie Cheaney |
This fun, award-winning early reader series features two tough siblings who can't help being nice. The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers. ...
Read More Middle Grade Fiction with Fibonacci, Tesla, and More!
By Betsy Farquhar |
a post from the archives! (originally published March 26, 2014) When I was a child I read large numbers of mysteries and was always somewhat irritated ...
Read More A Complicated Case by Ulf Nilsson
By Betsy Farquhar |
A funny, chapter book mystery for newly independent readers! A Complicated Case (Detective Gordon) by Ulf Nilsson and illustrated by Gittee Spee. Gecko Press, 2016. ...
Read More *When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano
By Betsy Farquhar |
Short, free verse poems as journal entries over the course of a year capture the feel of changing seasons in this well-illustrated book for elementary ...
Read More *Frank and Lucky Get Schooled by Lynn Rae Perkins
By Janie Cheaney |
Frank and Lucky’s close friendship leads them into countless adventures in learning, where “school subjects” never see the inside of a classroom. *Frank and Lucky ...
Read More The Revolutionary War by Mort Kunstler
By Janie Cheaney |
Key events of the American Revolution are celebrated by one of our nation’s preeminent historical painters. The Revolutionary War 1775-1783 (See American History Series) by ...
Read More Bible Review NIrV Faith Builders/ NIrV Under the Sea
By Janie Cheaney |
We're back!! Thanks again for your patience while we cleared up our site hack problems. You'll notice a rather stripped-down version of RedeemedReader, but be ...
Read More Bible Review: NIrV Study Bible for Kids
By Janie Cheaney |
NIrV Study Bible for Kids. Zonderkidz, 2015, 1789 pages. Available in hardcover, soft cover and ebook editions Hardcover edition Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 ...
Read More Flying Ponies and Dump Trucks
By Janie Cheaney |
Do little kids love fantasy? NPR recently reported on a study done by three academic psychologists on the subject of children and fiction. They asked ...
Read More Squelch Not the Series!
By Betsy Farquhar |
If you recognize names such as Jack and Annie or Patrick and Beth, know that mysteries can be ordered A to Z, or believe in ...
Read More Ling and Ting books by Grace Lin
By Betsy Farquhar |
A delightful early reader series about Asian American twins, Ling and Ting. Ling and Ting books by Grace Lin. LB Kids, 2011 (and to the ...
Read More *Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell
By Megan Saben |
*Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell. Candlewick, 2014. 50 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Age 4-8 Rabbit’s friend Robot ...
Read More Good Night, Knight by Betsy Lewin
By Megan Saben |
Good Night, Knight by Betsy Lewin. Holiday House, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Knight and his faithful ...
Read More A Pet for Fly Guy (Fly Guy Series) by Tedd Arnold
By Betsy Farquhar |
A Pet for Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold. Orchard Books, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Early Reader, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8, especially boys ...
Read More Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea
By Betsy Farquhar |
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea. Disney-Hyperion, 2015. 56 pages. Reading Level: Easy Reader, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Shea, creator ...
Read More The Cowboy by Hildegard Muller
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Cowboy (I Like to Read Series) by Hildegard Muller. Holiday House, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: new readers, ages ...
Read More Finding Good Chapter Book Friends: Junie B. Jones v. Jasper John Dooley
By Betsy Farquhar |
A Childlike Attitude My friends, there is an enormous difference between the childish and the childlike. George MacDonald famously commented that he didn't write for children but for ...
Read More Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
By Betsy Farquhar |
Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile. Candlewick, 2013. 80 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-10 ...
Read More *You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang
By Janie Cheaney |
*You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Two Lions (Amazon), 2014. 30 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: ...
Read More Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood
By Betsy Farquhar |
Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jonathan Bean. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-8Recommended ...
Read More The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Kevin Cornell
By Betsy Farquhar |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by ...
Read More The Miniature World of Marvin and James by Elise Broach and illustrated by Kelly Murphy
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Miniature World of Marvin and James (Masterpiece Adventures, Book 1) by Elise Broach and illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Henry Holt and Co., 2014. 112 ...
Read More *Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems
By Betsy Farquhar |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems. ...
Read More Fix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold
By Betsy Farquhar |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Fix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold. I ...
Read More Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli
By Betsy Farquhar |
This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli. Disney-Hyperion, ...
Read More The Big Fib by Tim Hamilton
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Big Fib by Tim Hamilton. I LIKE TO READ series. Holiday House, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Easy/Leveled Readers, ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 0-8 New ...
Read More National Geographic Kids Biographies: George Washington
By Betsy Farquhar |
George Washington by Caroline Crosson Gilpin. National Geographic Society, 2014. 128 pgs. Reading Level: Early reader, leveled reader (ages 4-8) Recommended for: Ages 4-8 National ...
Read More Eye: How it Works by David Macaulay
By Megan Saben |
Eye: How it Works by David Macaulay. David Macaulay Studio, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: Easy/Leveled Reader, ages 4-8Maturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8) and up ...
Read More Gravity by Jason Chin
By Betsy Farquhar |
Gravity by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, 0-8Recommended for: All ages Gravity is a complex concept to explain ...
Read More National Geographic Kids Biographies: Thomas Edison
By Megan Saben |
Thomas Edison by Barbara Kramer. National Geographic Kids, 2014, 32 pages. Reading Level: Early reader, leveled readerMaturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8) and up National Geographic ...
Read More National Geographic Kids: Robots
By Megan Saben |
Robots by Melissa Stewart. National Geographic Kids, 2014, 48 pages. Reading Level: Early reader, leveled readerMaturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8) and up It can be hard ...
Read More I Can Read / Made By God
By Megan Saben |
I Can Read! Made by God series, edited by Mary Hassinger. Zonderkidz, 2010-2011, 32 pages. Reading Level: Easy/Leveled Readers, Ages 4-8 Maturity Level: ...
Read More Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway
By Betsy Farquhar |
Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway. Candlewick, 2014. Reading Level: Early Chapter Book, Ages 4-8Recommended for: All ages Charmingly illustrated with ...
Read More Librarians’ List: Easy/Leveled Readers, part 2
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lovable/Quirky Main Character Frances books by Lillian Hoban Arthur books by Lillian Hoban Little Bear books by Else Holmelund Minarik Penny books by Kevin Henkes ...
Read More Ukraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Pt. 2
By Hayley Morell |
Last week, we began our Ukrainian series with a personal reflection from our executive assistant, Hayley. Having recently visited orphans in Ukraine, Hayley gave us insight ...
Read More Librarians’ List: Easy/Leveled Readers, part 1
By Betsy Farquhar |
Oh, those early (slow) reading sessions when your son or daughter labors to sound out each and every phoneme…. It seems to take forever to ...
Read More Second-Grade Perils: The Year of Billy Miller
By Janie Cheaney |
The Year of Billy Miller, by Keven Henkes. Greenwillow, 2013, 229 pages. Age/interest level: 6-8. Kevin Henkes’ name on a book jacket automatically gets attention. ...
Read More Nurturing a young reader’s literary tastes
By Megan Saben |
Parents with avid readers often find themselves with a dilemma: after my child has read all the age-appropriate books, where do we go from here? ...
Read More Truth in the Tinsel: A Family Advent Tradition
By emily |
Truth in the Tinsel Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I suppose the Christmas race has officially begun now, and with that in mind, ...
Read More More Favorite Science Books
By emily |
Welcome back to Science September at Redeemedreader! Last week, we heard from Janie on Science Biographies, as well as Betsy on some of her favorite ...
Read More Solving Mysteries with Science (and a disappointing collective biography)
By Megan Saben |
One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! by Eric Yoder and Natalie Yoder. Science Naturally, 2013. When I was growing up, ...
Read More Space Odyssey for Little Ones: An Interview with Kevin Luthardt
By emily |
THE BOOK REVIEW When Edgar Met Cecil. Peachtree Publishers, 2013. 32 pgs. Ages 4-8. Kevin Luthardt is an author-illustrator who has had a pretty big ...
Read More American Lives
By Janie Cheaney |
“There is properly no history, only biography,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson—an exaggeration with a lot of truth in it. When I was growing up, I ...
Read More Mission Work for Kids: Sewing School and Crafts for Hope
By emily |
In our Summer Reading Challenge, we've just read the story of Nate Saint, one of the men who entered glory alongside Jim Elliot trying to ...
Read More Summer Reading Challenge, Week 3: Mr. Popper’s Penguins
By emily |
Introduction We've added a Summer Reading Challenge tab at the top of our website, to help you keep up with the posts as the summer ...
Read More Poetry Anthologies
By Megan Saben |
A good poetry anthology is like going to a friend's house with a basket, and being told, "Oh, you must read this one, and this one, and ...
Read More Bible Review: NLT Hands-on Bible
By Janie Cheaney |
NLT Hands-on Bible, Tyndale for Kids, 2010, 1440 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-10 Bottom Line: Though it leads off ...
Read More Bible Review: The Kids’ Devotional Bible NIrV
By Janie Cheaney |
Kids' Devotional Bible, NIrV. Zonderkidz, 2006, 1664 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 6-10 Bottom Line: The Kids' Devotional Bible is ...
Read More Sorting Out the Children’s Bible Market
By Janie Cheaney |
Yesterday’s post addressed the general subject of children’s Bibles and how to evaluate them for the particular needs of each child and family. But all ...
Read More Choosing Your Child’s First REAL Bible: Some Considerations
By Janie Cheaney |
Last Tuesday we looked at a range of new Bible storybooks and early reader “Bibles.” On Friday, we picked our way through the field of ...
Read More Toddling into the Word: First Bible Storybooks and Early-Reader Bibles
By Janie Cheaney |
What could be more appropriate for Holy Week than a survey of children’s Bibles and Bible storybooks? That’s what I foolishly thought, treatment but this ...
Read More The Real George Washington
By Janie Cheaney |
When did history get so complicated? Not too long ago, “The father of his country” was a monumental figure deserving nothing but praise. Now, depending ...
Read More For Beginners: ALA Geisel Award Winners
By Janie Cheaney |
The Theodore Seuss Geisel Medal (featuring a bas-relief of Dr. Seuss himself) is given by the American Library Association every year for outstanding books for ...
Read More A Very LOGOS & Parnassus Christmas, Part One
By emily |
One Hip Town. Two Bookstores. And Lots of Great Books for Kids! Here in Nashville, we have at least two exceptional bookstores: Logos Bookstore and ...
Read More Quiet Time For Kids – Part Two
By Janie Cheaney |
Last week’s post ran so long I had to cut it short in order to attend to other business. But close readers may remember a ...
Read More Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing: Savoring Sally Lloyd Jones’ New Book
By emily |
This October, the team that brought you The Jesus Storybook Bible released a unique new book, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing. At 224 pages, ...
Read More Quiet Time for Kids
By Janie Cheaney |
“Thy word have I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin . . .” (Ps. 119:11) More than anything, Christian parents want ...
Read More Before the Boxcar
By Janie Cheaney |
The Boxcar Children Beginning: the Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm, by Patricia MacLachlan. Whitman, 2012, 121 pages. Age/interest level: 7-10 The Boxcar Children have had ...
Read More Legends in their Own Minds
By Janie Cheaney |
Captain Awesome (series), by Stan Kirby, Illustrated by George O’Connor. Little Simon, 2012, approx. 110 pages. Age/interest level: 5-7 According to many K-3 teachers I’ve ...
Read More We Hold These Truths
By Janie Cheaney |
“If men were angels,” wrote James Madison in The Federalist #51, “government would not be necessary.” While understanding what Madison meant, he wasn’t quite accurate. ...
Read More Summer Vacation Audiobooks
By emily |
Last year about this time, I did a vacation audiobook post. I'm actually on vacation myself right now, so I can't do as thorough a ...
Read More Thinking Different(ly)
By Janie Cheaney |
I'm way behind on my Saturday reviews, so it's time to catch up—with a Tuesday review tagging off of last Friday's Steve Jobs post. Jobs ...
Read More Podcast 14: American Girls, Dangers and Delights
By emily |
What are the dangers and delights of the American Girls series of books? I gave you guys an intro to this subject in an American ...
Read More Detectives: Hard Boiled and Four-Legged
By Janie Cheaney |
Ever since Edgar Allen Poe, one of the most reliable publishing genres has been the mystery or detective novel. I'm not a huge fan myself, ...
Read More American Girls
By emily |
The American Girls books are in some ways the premier girls' reading series for girls who are emerging readers. Among conservative families, at least, they ...
Read More Saturday Review: Books for Beginning Readers
By Janie Cheaney |
I read a lot of books for this blog. All the ladies at the circulation desk at the Greene County Library (bless their hearts!) know ...
Read More Africa: A Literary Adventure and Podcast!
By emily |
This month my local public library is offering a marionette show of African folktales starring Anansi the spider. It's a unique way to celebrate Black ...
Read More Thanks Anyway . . .
By Janie Cheaney |
Any bookstore manager can tell you that one of the most reliable customer types is the older woman with no children in the household (either ...
Read More Thanksgiving! Books For Kids 10 and Under
By emily |
Books To Consider Buying We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below earn us ...
Read More Those Who Served–And Serve
By Janie Cheaney |
Veterans’ Day is one of those holidays that sneak up on me. I intend to write a note to a veteran, wear red, pray a ...
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