First Grade Favorites
EASY FICTION
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Ada Twist is a very curious girl who shows perseverance by asking questions and performing experiments to find out things and understand the world.
Rules of the House by Mac Barnett
This is a hilarious tale of sibling rivalry, moral complexity and disgruntled monsters, perfect for sharing with your own favorite rule breakers.
A Library Book for Bear by Bonnie Becker
Although he sees no need for more books to read, Bear agrees to accompany Mouse to the library.
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown
Bored with city life and the proper behavior it requires, Mr. Tiger has a wild idea that leads him to discover his true nature.
Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self.
It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton
After Liam writes to his mailbox, asking for more mail, he gets his wish, but soon realizes that sending mail is even more fun than receiving it.
When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
A boy is disappointed with his grandfather's gift – until he learns he can use it to build exactly what he wanted with his own two hands, and a little help from grandpa, of course!
Maurice the Unbeastly by Amy Dixon
No ordinary beast, Maurice is neat, polite, photogenic, and his roar is delightful to the ear, which leads his parents to enroll him at the Abominable Academy for Brutish Beasts, where he realizes he has a few things he can teach his fellow beasts.
Catch That Cookie! by Hallie Durand
Marshall refuses to believe that gingerbread men can run, even after a series of clues leads his class on a riddle-filled gingerbread cookie hunt.
There’s a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
The reader is encouraged to shake, tilt and wiggle the book to remove the little monster inside, but once it is out, another problem arises.
Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
A young Chinese American boy discovers himself, his roots and his potential.
My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza
When a young pig knocks on a fox's door, the fox thinks dinner has arrived, but the pig has other plans.
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Ferdinand is the world's most peaceful – and beloved – little bull. While all of the other bulls snort, leap and butt their heads, Ferdinand is content to just sit and smell the flowers under his favorite cork tree.
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
This story about a boy who wants to be a mermaid will resonate with all kids who have secret dreams. Julián shares his dream and identity with his abuela, but when he first tries dressing as a mermaid, he does it when he's alone.
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
A boy is excluded from joining his friends' pet club because of his unusual pet.
Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Ixchel, a young Mayan girl who is not allowed to use her mother's thread to weave, exercises her ingenuity and repurposes plastic bags to create colorful weavings. Glossary and author's note are included.
Little Ducks Go by Emily Arnold McCully
Mother Duck is on the run trying to keep her ducklings safe.
The Proudest Blue: a Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Faizah relates how she feels on the first day her sister, sixth-grader Asiya, wears a hijab to school.
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
In this book with no pictures, the reader has to say every silly word, no matter what.
How to Be a Good Dog by Gail Page
Cat helps Bobo the dog show Mrs. Birdhead how good he is.
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship.
The Fort by Laura Perdew
Two children have separately discovered a fort in the woods. It becomes a castle for a boy and a pirate ship for a girl. Can a pirate and a prince learn to share?
How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan
A little girl provides instructions for properly babysitting one's grandmother, such as taking trips to the park and singing duets.
Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds
Jasper Rabbit is not a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly he finds his new big rabbit underwear a bit… creepy!
Perfectly Pegasus by Jessie Sima
Nimbus, a lonely Pegasus, searches for a fallen star to wish for a friend and meets a unicorn named Kelp along the way.
The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater
An inquisitive fox named Marco and a bored flock of pigeons join the crew of deer Captain Sylvia, setting sail in her antlered ship in search of a wonderful island and finding friendship on the way.
Carlo and the Really Nice Librarian by Jessica Spanyol
When Carlo the giraffe and Crackers the cat visit the new library, they meet Mrs. Chinca, a very friendly and helpful librarian.
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires
This is an endearing story about a little girl who doesn't think she can.
First Grade, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg
This book follows a group of children as they experience their first-grade school year, including taking a field trip, visiting the school library, and enjoying recess.
The Monster at the end of this Book by Jon Stone
Grover worries page by page about meeting the monster at the end of this book.
Hattie & Hudson by Chris Van Dusen
This is a book about acceptance, friendship and sticking up for those who are different.
EASY NON-FICTION
I Feel… Meh by D.J. Corchin
Meh tackles apathy – recognizing it as a valid emotion, while also offering practical steps to get you out of your emotional slump.
This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World by Matt Lamothe
This book follows the daily lives of seven children from around the world, including such places as Japan, India, Uganda, and Italy, and discusses how schools, meals, and play can be different or similar in different places in the world.
Who’s in My Family? All about Our Families by Robie H. Harris
Nellie and her little brother Gus discuss all kinds of families during a day at the zoo and dinner at home with their relatives afterwards.
Look Where We Live!: A First Book of Community Building by Scot Ritchie
Five young friends – Nick, Yulee, Pedro, Sally and Martin – spend the day traveling around their neighborhood and participating in activities designed to raise money for their local library. Along the way, they learn about the people and places that make up their community and what it means to be part of one.
Sun!: One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty
This picture book is about the real star – sun! Written in an autobiographical style, with kid-friendly facts and beautiful illustrations – it makes learning about the sun real fun.
We Dig Worms! by Kevin McClosky
Young children (and a hungry bluebird) follow a talkative earthworm around. They learn fun facts about worms and their important role in our environment.
EASY READER SERIES
Mo Jackson: Don’t Throw it to Mo! by David A. Adler 458345
Mo is the youngest kid on the Robins football team. The kids on the rival team tease him for being a “butterfingers” who's too tiny to catch the ball. But Mo's coach has a plan up his sleeve to turn Mo's little size into a big win for the Robins.
Fly Guy: Hi Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
When Buzz captures a fly to enter in The Amazing Pet Show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong.
Arthur: Arthur’s Reading Race by Marc Brown
Arthur doesn't believe his little sister can really read, so he challenges her to prove it.
Unicorn and Yeti: Sparkly New Friends by Heather Ayris Burnell
Unicorn and Yeti run into each other (literally) while looking for sparkly things and despite some differences – for instance, Unicorn can do magic and Yeti can’t, and Yeti likes snowball fights while Unicorn can’t throw snowballs – the two become friends over a shared love of hot chocolate with rainbow sprinkles.
Biscuit: Biscuit by Alyssa Capucilli
A little yellow dog wants one more thing before he'll go to sleep.
Pete the Cat: Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpillar by James Dean
When Pete the cat meets a super cool caterpillar, he thinks he has found a new best friend. But when one day his caterpillar goes missing, Pete has to find out what happened to his new friend. Pete is in for one wild surprise at the end!
Monkey and Cake: What is Inside this Box? by Drew Daywalt
Monkey has a big box, which he tells Cake has a cat inside, but only when the box is closed; Cake suggests that maybe it is a dinosaur instead, and the two friends puzzle over how they can solve the problem of finding out what is in the box if it is always empty when opened.
Yasmin: Yasmin the Builder by Saadia Faruqi
As their makerspace project the students in Yasmin's second-grade class are building a city: there are houses, a school, a church, even a castle, but Yasmin is not sure what to build – until inspiration strikes.
Rocket: Rocket the Brave by Tad Hills
Rocket the dog has fun chasing a butterfly up a hill and around a pond, but he does not want to follow it into the scary forest.
Marley: Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin by Susan Hill
Marley's family takes extra care in getting their blue-ribbon pumpkin to the fair, but with a dog like Marley around, being careful isn't always enough.
Pinkalicious: Pinkalicious Pinky Promise by Victoria Kann
After Pinkalicious uses all of Alison's pink paint in class, she wonders how she can repay her best friend.
Mr. Monkey: Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake by Jeff Mack
Mr. Monkey bakes a cake and enters it in a contest, but nothing goes as planned.
Katie Woo: Too Much Rain by Fran Manushkin
When heavy rain causes flooding, Katie Woo and her parents spend the night in a shelter.
Fancy Nancy: Fancy Nancy at the Museum by Jane O’Conner
Although excited at the prospect of a fancy class trip to the art museum, the bumpy bus ride to get there leaves Nancy feeling anything but fancy.
Amelia Bedelia: Amelia Bedelia on the Move by Peggy Parish
When her parents suggest moving, Amelia Bedelia turns going to open houses and exploring new neighborhoods into an adventure.
Henry and Mudge: Henry and Mudge: The First Book of their Adventure by Cynthia Rylant
Henry, feeling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge.
Monkey and Elephant: Monkey and Elephant by Carole Lexa Schaefer
In three episodes, two friends cool off on a hot day, sing songs and outsmart some riffraff wildcats.
Elephant and Piggie: Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems
While Piggie is determined to fly, Elephant is skeptical, but when Piggie gets a little help from others, amazing things happen.
Digger and Daisy: Digger and Daisy Go to the Doctor by Judy Young
Digger is not feeling well but after his sister, Daisy, convinces him to go see a doctor she must still persuade him to be brave by getting her own examination.