Selecting an Early Reader Book!
Early Readers
Early readers are meant for kids who are getting pretty good at reading on their own. The exact age range varies, because every child’s reading ability progresses at their own pace, but in general, early readers are for kids between 5 and 8 years old.
These books are more challenging and complex than picture books or concept books, but still use simpler words and more direct grammar than books meant for older children.
Early reader books are often a bit longer than other kidlit books—they may start introducing short chapters, longer paragraphs, and other features to gently ease kids into the kinds of reading they’ll do as they grow up. Some of these books teach concepts and others are just for fun.
Experience Animal Books 4 Kids!
Fibber Frog
Fibber Frog
Karna Peck
A fun frog book about two ducks and a frog who are friends. The ducks devise a plan to save their friend the frog and implement the plan but when asked the frog says he did. In doing this he destroys his own rescue. It is about not telling the truth.
We Found Brown
We Found Brown
Karna Peck
We Found Brown: Primary and secondary color mixing book for children written by a professional artist and teacher
This is about mixing colors. Starting with the primary colors, red, yellow, and blue frogs. They hop all around the pages leaving their color footprints, mixing together making new colors like orange, green, and purple. In the end, all three frogs mix their footprints together to make browns.
Karna Finds Brown
Karna Finds Brown
We Found Brown
Karna Peck
The painting demonstration for this video was done to raise money for a non-profit.
Reading the story
Karna Finds Brown
We Found Brown
Karna Peck
We Found Brown: Primary and secondary color mixing book for children written by a professional artist and teacher
This is about mixing colors.
Dreamer
A Song in Her Heart
Dreamer
Sheri Hauser
Karna Peck (Illustrator)
5+
This is a children's book written as an allegory. The pictures are taken from murals Karna did at a Mexican Restaurant. Everyone living on the island keeps looking for another distant land. A little girl spots one, but no one will believe her.
Do not be deceived, even those who declare themselves to be agnostic still secretly hope there is a God out there; there is a spiritual world outside of their selves. In the story, even the scientist secretly exposes the pictures before being willing to show them to anyone else, hoping, for himself, that there is a world other than the island he lives on. But the little girl is labeled a liar when others do not see what she proclaims to be true.
A Song in Her Heart
A Song in Her Heart
A Song in Her Heart
Kathy Dye
Over 6 million people in the United States alone are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Talking about this hard topic with children who have loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be a daunting task. A Song in Her Heart was written to help adults generate conversations about this disease with children and create more awareness for everyone.
She believed everyone has a song to share. This poignant story was written about the author’s mother and reveals how music affects the lives of not only Alzheimer’s patients but also those around them.
My Dinner with Mabel
My Dinner with Mabel
Rainer Rey
Matthew Goodall (Illustrator)
5-7
Inspired by a true story... about how Ruby, a Yorkie puppy from the city, wants to be friends with all of the creatures of the desert. The adventure begins when Ruby meets a lonely, invalid javelina called Mabel who, due to her birth defect, has been abandoned by her family. The bond between Ruby and Mabel is factually accurate and leads to an exciting adventure that lifts the spirit and touches the heart.
AJs Monster
AJ's Monster
Karna Peck
5-7
Are there Monsters in the closet? A fun story of what the monster in the closet is not a monster at all.
Kit Kat Camp No Electronics
Kit Kat Camp No Electronics
Kathy Dixon Dye
In a world filled with gadgets and gizmos, where screens glow brighter than starry nights, one extraordinary grandmother, Kit Kat, is on a mission to ignite the spark of imagination in her beloved grandchildren. Join author Kathy Dye in this heartwarming children's book as she unveils the enchanting world of Kit Kat Camp, a delightful tale of love, laughter, and the magic of childhood.
With a twinkle in her eye and a treasure trove of wisdom, Kit Kat embarks on a grand adventure to teach her grandchildren a timeless lesson: "No Electronics."
A Little Star Falls
A Little Star Falls
Terrie McKinley
S. Ann Rhinehart (Illustrator)
5-7
Kismet, the little star from the night sky falls into the deep blue sea. While sinking down Kismet encounters different sea creatures. Everyone greets the confused little star and gives words of encouragement.
This beautifully illustrated picture book reaches children’s imagination of friendly sea creatures and finds words of encouragement from unlikely sources. Let your imagination sink into the deep blue sea.
by Terrie McKinley
Illustrated by S. Ann Rhinehart
Ba Ba Verde La
Ba Ba Verde La
BaBa Verde La
English and Russian
Sheri Hauser
Karna Peck (Illustrator)
Rita Schaefer (Translator)
5-7
Ba Ba Verde La. This is the story of a lamb (kid) who was born green. His parents and friends are surprised and try to ‘wash’ the green away to make him look like the rest of the kids in the flock. The green won’t wash out, so Verde La is separated from the rest of the kids. All of the kids learn that there are special benefits to being different. This story comes with a song in the center that children can play a recorder with the shepherd as he sings with Verde La. Glorybound Kids books sneak celery into the diet by putting peanut butter on it. What we offer is sweet moral fiber.
This has Russian and English Translation.
Experience Animal Books 4 Kids!
All God's Children Got Shoes
All God's Children God Shoes
Corean Strong
Vicky Rubin (Illustrator)
5-7
Did you see yourself in any of these shoes? Well, if the shoe fits, wear it. Now that you know all about shoe types and personality traits, I hope you can make a positive change in your life if you need to. Others, like the Patent Leather Shoe and Work Shoe only need to keep doing what you are doing, but some of us need to change our attitudes and our lifestyles. Always remember that we all have issues. We are all children of God, and All God's Children Got Shoes. I got shoes, you got shoes, all God's children got shoes. When I get to heaven gonna put on my shoes, gonna walk all over God's heaven.
Honu Meets Kiyaya
Honu Meets Kiyaya
Jennifer Cyr
Jess Marony (Illustrator)
5-7
Honu Meets Kiyaya is an uplifting story about an unlikely friendship between a sea turtle and wolf. The characters learn about each other, and in doing so, forge a special bond. With lush illustrations and wonderful characters, Honu and Kiyaya is a beautiful story that young children will love to hear, and their caregivers will appreciate the thoughtful conversations that will be sparked by the timeless story.
Honu Helps Kiyaya
Honu Helpss Kiyaya
Jennifer Cyr
Jess Marony (Illustrator)
5-7
Honu and Kiyaya is an uplifting story about an unlikely friendship between a sea turtle and wolf. The characters learn about each other, and in doing so, forge a special bond. With lush illustrations and wonderful characters, Honu Meets Kiyaya is a beautiful story that young children will love to hear, and their caregivers will appreciate the thoughtful conversations that will be sparked by the timeless story.
As with all of the books in the series, the story invites the reader to enjoy the fun story, vibrant illustrations, and to use the book’s message as a way to engage in thoughtful and meaningful conversations between child and caregiver.
Honu and Kiyaya Play a Game
Honu and Kiyaya Play a Game
Jennifer Cyr
Jess Marony (Illustrator)
5-7
This third book in the Honu and Kiyaya series finds the friends enjoying a thoughtful scavenger hunt at day’s end. Children will enjoy playing “seek and find” with the book’s stunning images, and caregivers will find value in the thought-provoking “Rules for Life” that accompany each treasure. As with all of the books in the series, the story invites the reader to enjoy the fun story, vibrant illustrations, and to use the book’s message as a way to engage in thoughtful and meaningful conversations between child and caregiver.
The Irish Setter is Mailing a Letter
The Irish Setter is Mailing a Letter
Leland P. Gamson
Candice Schoonover (Illustrator)
3-7
“The Irish Setter is Mailing a Letter,” is an account of 29 dog breeds playing, working, being annoying and just doing dog activities. LELAND P. GAMSON enjoys telling animal stories to children and children’s stories to animals. After retiring from the VA and U.S. Army, he is focusing on writing stories for young people. Be sure to read all of the Rain Gardens books for children.
The Irish Setter is Mailing a Letter
3-7
“The Irish Setter is Mailing a Letter,” is an account of 29 dog breeds playing, working, being annoying and just doing dog activities. LELAND P. GAMSON enjoys telling animal stories to children and children’s stories to animals. After retiring from the VA and U.S. Army, he is focusing on writing stories for young people. Be sure to read all of the Rain Gardens books for children.
Two Talking, Barking Dog Stories
Two Talking, Barking Dog Stories
Leland P. Gamson
Alyssa L. Tanner (Illustrator)
Karen Camden Welsh (Illustrator)
3-7
Two Talking, Barking Dog Stories combines two delightful dog stories for an awesome hardbound book.
Why Can’t Dogs Talk?
Anna tells her father that her life would be better if her dog, Polly, could talk. Then her father explains how Polly’s talking would turn her life upside down.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
14 reasons why dogs bark are explained in rhyme. Find out what are they saying and asking when they bark. Large Print Book.
Why Can't Dogs Talk?
Leland P Gamson reads his book.
Why Can’t Dogs Talk?
Anna tells her father that her life would be better if her dog, Polly, could talk. Then her father explains how Polly’s talking would turn her life upside down.
Why Do Dogs bark?
Leland P Gamson reads his book.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
14 reasons why dogs bark are explained in rhyme. Find out what are they saying and asking when they bark. Large Print Book.
Two Great Easter Stories
Two Great Easter Stories
Leland P. Gamson
Alyssa L. Tanner (Illustrator)
Leigh Ann Cledgett (Illustrator)
4-7
Lokael: The Donkey Who Carried Jesus
Katen, was delighted when Jesus chose him to ride through Jerusalem. The young donkey and his mother not only experience the cheering crowds, but also witness the persecution of Christ and His resurrection.
Tamim: The Passover Lamb
Miriam is delighted when she is given a lamb to raise for Passover. As she falls in love with Tamim, how long can her parents delay telling her she is raising him to be sacrificed? How will Miriam react when they tell her?
Lokael
Lokael
4-7
Lokael: The Donkey Who Carried Jesus
Katen, was delighted when Jesus chose him to ride through Jerusalem. The young donkey and his mother not only experience the cheering crowds, but also witness the persecution of Christ and His resurrection.
By Leland P. Gamson
Illustrated by Leigh Ann Cledgett
Tamim: The Passover Lamb
Miriam is delighted when she is given a lamb to raise for Passover. As she falls in love with Tamim, how long can her parents delay telling her she is raising him to be sacrificed? How will Miriam react when they tell her?
By Leland P. Gamson
Illustrated by Alyssa L. Tanner
Tamim
Lokael
4-7
Lokael: The Donkey Who Carried Jesus
Katen, was delighted when Jesus chose him to ride through Jerusalem. The young donkey and his mother not only experience the cheering crowds, but also witness the persecution of Christ and His resurrection.
By Leland P. Gamson
Illustrated by Leigh Ann Cledgett
Tamim: The Passover Lamb
Miriam is delighted when she is given a lamb to raise for Passover. As she falls in love with Tamim, how long can her parents delay telling her she is raising him to be sacrificed? How will Miriam react when they tell her?
By Leland P. Gamson
Illustrated by Alyssa L. Tanner