Entering 1st Grade
Baker, AlanBenjamin’s Portrait
Benjamin, the hamster, tries to paint his portrait with some unexpected results.
Brett, Jan Hedgie’s Surprise
Hedgie the hedgehog helps Henry the speckled hen trick the tomten, who has been eating all of Henry’s eggs for breakfast!
Capucilli, AlyssaBiscuit
Biscuit, a small puppy, makes his needs known by barking.
This is an early reader series as well.
Feiffer, JulesBark George
The puppy’s mother is in for a big surprise when she takes him to the veterinarian to find out why he does not bark.
Fox, MemMagic Hat
A wizard's hat blows into town, changing people into different animals when it lands on their heads
French, JackieDiary of a Wombat
A wombat from Australia tells a humorous story in diary form about his interactions with a human family as they try to keep him for destroying their home!
Henkes, KevinLily’s Big Day
When her teacher announces that he is getting married, Lilly the mouse sets her heart on being the flower girl at his wedding. New this year – kids will enjoy adding another episode to Lily’s life!
Rylant, CynthiaHenry & Mudge
Henry shares experiences and makes new friends along with his dog Mudge (a great early chapter book series to introduce your 1st graders to.)
Shannon, DavidAlice the Fairy
What type of tricks can Alice, a temporary fiary, perform with her magic wand.
Sierra, JudyWild About Books
A librarian introduces the animals in the zoo to the joy of reading when she drives her bookmobile to the zoo by mistake.
Yolen, JaneHow Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
Even dinosaurs make a fuss before bedtime. Can parents ever get them into bed?
If you Love me Read Me a Story!
What can I do to help my child be ready for 1st grade?
Read, READ, READ!! The books on the back of this sheet will bring laughs and wonderful warm memories of reading together for both you and your child. Reading together is the perfect time to create loving associations. One of my fondest memories is reading Sarah Plain and Tall with my gangly 4th grade daughter who was nearly as tall as me. I still held her on my lap as we read each night!
You will find that most of the authors on the list have written many other books which will be equally wonderful to share. These are just a starting point. All books on the list are available at Nashville Public Library.
Take your child to the Public Library -Summer Reading Program, June 2 – July 15! SEE ATTACHED BOOK MARK. The program is FREE!
Book Adventure (on the website) is like AR but students can take tests from home and earn points. You will need to sign them up for this. The site is sponsored by Sylvan Learning!
For more lists of books, suggestions on fun summer activities here in Nashville, and sites that will help your child prepare for next year check out our website and click on PARENTS. The Links for Learning website will be maintained with lots of fun learning activities and games over the summer!
MOST IMPORTANTLY – Here’s what your kids want you to know about helping them learn to love reading!
- Let me pick my own books!
- Reward me when I reach a goal that we set!
- If reading is so cool – let me see you enjoy reading!
- Make reading together fun. Summer reading shouldn’t be like doing homework!
Questions? Contact me via email at