Finding good books for your children to read is never a problem, except when the time comes to actually purchase or borrow them. Then, it’s all too easy to draw a blank on all of those amazing books you’ve heard of. Never fear! We have you covered with a selection of books your first grader is sure to enjoy:
Award-Winning Books:
- Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin: This Caldecott Medal winner has illiterate cows wreaking havoc on Farmer Brown’s life.
- Frog and Toad Are Friends
by Arnold Lobel: Some kinds of fun just never go out of style, and this Caldecott Honor Book continues to entertain with attractive illustrations and interesting stories of Frog and his best friend Toad.
Funny:
- I Wish That I Had Duck Feet (Beginner Books)
by Theo. LeSieg (Dr. Seuss), illustrated by B. Tobey: This funny story follows a boy as he explores what it would be like to have all sorts of animal appendages.
Spooky:
- Goosebumps Most Wanted #1: Planet of the Lawn Gnomes
by R.L. Stine. If your child can handle spooky stories, he or she is sure to love this Goosebumps book about a boy who moves to a new town in which the lawn gnomes keep residents on their toes.
History and Social Studies:
- Clifford for President (Clifford the Big Red Dog) (Big Red Reader Series)
by Acton Figueroa, illustrated by Tom LaPadula: If your child loves the Big Red Dog, he won’t even realize he’s learning about elections when he reads this book.
- The Lady in the Box
by Ann McGovern, illustrated by Marni Backer: It’s never too early to learn about the joy that comes from helping those who are less fortunate. This book’s young main characters look for ways to help a homeless woman.
Science and Nature:
- The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow
by Patricia Relf, illustrated by John Speirs: With spring here and summer on its way, there’s no better time to get in some reading about gardening. The fun starts when Ms. Frizzle’s class plants a garden and Phoebe’s plot fails to grow. The class ends up exploring the inside of a flower!
- The Tiny Seed (The World of Eric Carle)
by Eric Carle, illustrated by Eric Carle: Follow a tiny seed as it makes the often-dangerous journey around the world. This book combines educational themes with eye-catching illustrations.
Family:
- Mirette on the High Wire
by Emily Arnold McCully: Mirette is a gutsy girl who helps a high-wire artist battle his own fears.
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz: Being a kid doesn’t make you immune to bad days. This book follows Alexander as he deals with everything from gum in his hair and a water-logged sweater to cavities and lima beans.
This is just a short selection of recommended books for first graders, but there are more good books for this age group than there are kids to read them. Let us know how you like these, and share your favorite books for first graders in the Comments section.
Looking for more information on homeschooling first grade? Check out these posts!
