If your child is ready to start reading by themselves, but is still a little overwhelmed by tons of text, try one of these great books that ease the transition from picture books to chapter books!
Claude In the City by Alex T. Smith
Claude is a black and white dog in a beret. His best friend, Mr. Bobblysock, is a smelly striped sock. Won’t you join them for their first visit to the city! Claude is the perfect choice for readers who love quirky stories and retro illustrations.
Disgusting Critter Series: The Slug by Elise Gravel
Learn more about the slug’s two set of tentacles, breathing hole, and fancy slime trail! Although, kids may struggle with some of the more difficult words in these books, the humor and ick factor will have them returning to this series again and again.
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
I haven’t met a kid who can resist Dog Man. Half dog and half cop, our hero is out to save the day, except when he’s distracted by a stick. The graphic novel format and lots of potty humor are sure to grab even the most reluctant readers!
Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon
In the tradition of Ramona and Junie B. Jones, comes Dory! She’s a little sister whose older siblings ignore her so her imagination is forced to fill in the gaps. This series is great blend of laugh out loud humor and relatable situations.
Dragon Master: Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West
Drake is just your normal peasant boy, until one of the king’s men whisks him off to the Castle to become a Dragon Master! A Scholastic Branches book, this series balances ample illustrations and simple text with high interest plots.
Mercy Watson To the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
Her devoted parents believe Mercy Watson is a porcine wonder. But not all the inhabitants of Deckawoo Drive agree. With beautiful illustrations, silly situations, and loads of charm, this series is hard to resist!
Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Nate the Great has been investigating crimes with the help of Sludge (his dog) and pancakes since 1977. This long running series still wins over beginning readers with its basic vocabulary, black and white illustrations, and over-the-top characters.
Super Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
Meet Buzz and his best friend Fly Guy, who just so happens to be a real fly. Featuring short chapters and lots of repeating text the books in this series are the perfect first chapter books.
Written by Ellen, 7/31/20
