Guided Reading Book List (K-3)

 Nelson & Sexton 1 Guided Reading Book List Primary Grades (K-­3) (Organized by Fountas and Pinnell Levels) Kelsey Nelson and Jane Sexton _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Approximate Grade Levels: Kindergarten-­ Levels A through C Grade 1-­ Level B through Level I Grade 2-­ Level H through Level M Grade 3-­ Level L through Level P _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level A: Good Morning, Good Night by Michael Grejniec • A boy and girl encounter various antonyms as they go about their day. Do You Want To Be My Friend by Eric Carle • A mouse searches for a friend. A book about friendship. Nelson & Sexton 2 Have You Seen My Duckling by Nancy Tafuri • A mother duck loses one of her ducklings. She asks the other animals in the pond to help her find him, but her duckling isn’t really missing at all. Growing Colors by Bruc e McMillan • Vegetables and fruits are illustrated on the pages with accompanied color words What Do Insects Do? By Pamela Chanko and Susan Canizares • Description of the various things insects do. Sea Shapes by Suse MacDonald • Basic shapes are introduced through different sea creatures. Nelson & Sexton 3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level B: The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom • It’s the first day of school and characters are curious what the school bus will be like. I Can Ski by Melanie Davis Jones • A boy learns how to ski at a special ski school. Have You Seen My Cat by Eric Carle • A little boy loses his cat. He travels around the world to find him and along the way he meets various animals in the cat family. Nelson & Sexton 4 Silly Sally by Betsy Franco • A little boy tries out many different ways to make his sister smile. On Market Street By Arnold Lobel • Alphabet books about the shopkeepers on Market Street. What Do You Like? By Michael Grejniec • A story about how a boy and girl like similar things. Wake Up, Big Barn! By Suzanne Tanner Chitwood • A story about what one sees and hears on a farm. Nelson & Sexton 5 Water by Susan Canizares and Pamela Chanko • Various descriptions of water written for students to understand. Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert • How do you grow a vegetable garden to make the best tomato soup? Spring is Here/Llego La Primavera by Taro Gomi • A bilingual book about the changing seasons. Let’s Go Visiting by Sue Williams • A young child and a sweet golden retriever go visiting many baby animals. Nelson & Sexton 6 Where’s the Cat? By Stella Blackstone • A young cat loves to explore. Written with simple rhyme and repetition. Hide and Seek by Brenda Shannon Yee • A mouse and a housekeeper play hide-­‐and-­‐seek. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level C: Sheila Rae’s Peppermint Stick by Kevin Henkes • A story about Sheila, her younger sister, and a peppermint stick. Nelson & Sexton 7 The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll • Clayton and Desmond work together to build the biggest snowman ever for the town contest. Rain by Robert Kalan • Explores concepts about landscape, weather, and colors. Dog’s Day by Jane Cabrera • Dog has a busy day with his friends. Old Mo by Stacey W. Hsu • A story about a boy with descriptions about the cat he loves. Nelson & Sexton 8 Yo! Yes? By Chris Raschka • A story about a friendship between two young boys. A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman • What would it be like to have your own rainbow? I Went Walking by Sue Williams • A boy takes a walk and meets many different animals. Includes repetitive rhyme. Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin • A story about endangered animals. Nelson & Sexton 9 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin • Meet many new animals in this colorful book. Spots, Feathers, and Curly Tails by Nancy Tafuri • Readers identify various animals based on their characteristics. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level D: Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann • A gorilla unlocks all the animal cages at the zoo after the watchman says good night to them. I Love Animals by Flora McDonnell • A story about a small child’s love for her farm animals. Nelson & Sexton 10 Sit, Truman! By Dan Harper • A story about a dog named Truman. Truman isn’t an ordinary pup and reader’s quickly learn he is a handful. I Love Fishing by Bonnie Dobkin • A story about a child’s fishing adventure and other outdoor activities. Uses simple rhymes. Fiesta! By Ginger Foglesong Guy • A story about three young children going to a fiesta. Incorporates math basics, like simple addition. One Happy Classroom by Charnan Simon • A story about a day in kindergarten. Nelson & Sexton 11 From Head to Toe by Eric Carle • Animals and children demonstrate different body movements throughout the book. Color Dance by Ann Jonas • A story about mixing primary colors. Lunch by Denise Fleming • A story about a hungry mouse nibbling its way through the food in the book. My Five Senses by Margaret Miller • A story that teaches children about their five senses. Nelson & Sexton 12 Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert • A story about twelve birds pursued by a cat. Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell • A counting book about a family preparing for dinner. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level E: Moo Moo, Brown Cow by Jakki Wood • A cat asks many different animals if they have babies. Children learn about the names of baby animals. Nelson & Sexton 13 A Box Can Be Many Things by Dana Meachen Rau • Children discover the fun a simple box can bring by pretending it is all sorts of things. Cat’s Colors by Jane Cabrera • The story of a kitten on a search for its favorite color. Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse by Lindsay Barrett George • The story of two different mice and their lives inside and outside of the house. Listen to the Desert/ Oye al desierto by Pat Mora and Francisco X. Mora • A bilingual rhythmic chant. Nelson & Sexton 14 Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile by Won-­‐Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert • Mrs. Chicken having been caught by the Hungry Crocodile must outsmart her predator for her freedom. On My Way to Buy Eggs by Chih-­‐Yuan Chen • A simple errand transforms into an adventure for a young girl in Taiwan. Apples to Applesauce by Inez Snyder • Readers discover how applesauce is made in this informative book. Walking Through the Jungle by Debbie Harter • Readers meet different animals as they go on an adventure through the jungle. Nelson & Sexton 15 Sand Castle by Brenda Shannon Yee • Children work together to build a sand castle. It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw • Children guess what each white shape is until the end of the book when they read the surprise ending! The Sun is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch • Describes the sun from day to night. Today is Monday by Eric Carle • Various animals eat their favorite foods. Nelson & Sexton 16 Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton • The story of six young paleontologists; how bones are uncovered and displayed. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level F: Cookie’s Week by Cindy Ward • How much trouble will Cookie get into this week? In The Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming • Take a look at this freshwater pond throughout the seasons. Nelson & Sexton 17 My River by Shari Halpern • A great book to begin learning about environmental issues. A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom • A book about the friendship between a bear and a goose. Bear is calm, always working on a quiet activity. Goose constantly interrupts him. Here Are My Hands by Bill Martin • A book that explains parts of the body through rhymes. Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? By Philemon Sturges and Bonnie Lass • Help Skunk solve the mystery of who took the cookies! Was it his friend Rabbit? Or maybe it was Squirrel? Nelson & Sexton 18 The Dandelion Seed by Joseph A. Anthony • The story of a dandelion seed afraid to let go. Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh • A group of mice learn how to count and mix paint colors. Raindrop, Plop! By Wendy Cheyette Lewison • Explore the many ways to have fun in the rain. Includes a focus on counting. David Goes to School by David Shannon • David is a handful. What trouble will he get into at school? Nelson & Sexton 19 Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins • Rosie, the hen, goes out for a walk. She is closely followed by a fox who is trying to navigate the obstacles Rosie unknowingly leaves behind her. Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? By Eric Carle • A book filled with repetition. Does a kangaroo/dolphin/monkey have a mother? David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon • David is back! What trouble is he getting into now? My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck • A rhyming love poem about the unconditional love a mother has for their child. Nelson & Sexton 20 Five Ugly Monsters by Tedd Arnold • In this story five ugly monsters jump on a bed. Story line similar to “Five Little Monkeys.” Hooray for Fish! By Lucy Cousins • Go on an adventure to the bottom of the ocean and meet many ocean creatures. In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming • Explore the tall grass through the eyes of a caterpillar. Planting a Rainbow Lois Eh lert • Take part in the planting of a family garden, and view their colorful flower garden. Nelson & Sexton 21 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level G: Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins • Farm animals eat apples from a tree. Incorporates counting to 10. Tiptoe Into Kindergarten by Jacqueline Rogers • A preschooler peeks in on her brother’s kindergarten class. She spends time in the classroom without being noticed by anyone. The Painter by Peter Catalanotto • A story about family love. Nelson & Sexton 22 The Fairytale Cake by Mark Sperring • Characters from popular nursery rhymes and fairy tales work together to deliver a cake. Do Pigs Have Stripes by Melanie Walsh • Answer entertaining questions about different animals. Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle • A young boy is asked to draw many shapes in this meaningful story by Eric Carle. The Little Red Hen by Byron Barton • The Little Red Hen and her three chicks work together to make bread. Nelson & Sexton 23 Wax to Crayon by Inez Snyder • A look at how crayons are made. My Friends/Mis Amigos by Taro Gomi • A young girl travels along the countryside giving praise to all of her friends. Mouse Went Out to Get a Snack by Lyn Rossiter McFarland • A colorful, entertaining, and exciting play on the age-­‐old battle of cats and mice. Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty • The different lives of dogs and cats portrayed through this simple narrative portrayed with pencil sketches. Nelson & Sexton 24 Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? By Bill Marin • Following a similar story line to Brown Bear Brown Bear, this book takes place at the zoo. A Day in the Life of Murphy by Alice Provensen • An early opportunity for young readers to experience the personification of animals in a fun view of dogs lives. The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss • The demonstration of determination and standing on your own providing great rewards. Titch by Pat Hutchins • Patience leads all to their day of glory. Nelson & Sexton 25 Off to Bed, Little Monster!/A la cama monstruito! By Mario Ramos • Find out what little monster does before bed. Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler • A fun a quirky story about hiccups and remedies for treatment. No, David! By David Shannon • David is always in trouble. All he ever hears are the words “No, David!” Freight Train by Donald Crews • Colorful illustrations compliment rhyming verse for a simple and fun read. Nelson & Sexton 26 Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood • Bright and exciting pictures link text and numbers in a learning countdown. Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes • Mishaps and mistakes make this comedy funny, and a delicious reward makes it happy. Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw • Five sheep race down a hill uncontrollably in this fun, rhyming adventure. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level H: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown • A short poem from a young rabbit getting ready for bed. Nelson & Sexton 27 If I Were a Lion by Sarah Weeks • A little girl is sent to time-­‐out for being “wild”. She then explains that she isn’t wild, and proceeds to explain what wild means. I Know a Lady by Charlotte Zolotow • A young girl muses about a sweet older woman. Bob by Tracey Campbell Pearson • A story about Bob, the rooster, who can make the noise of almost every farm animal, but cannot crow. Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert • A book introducing butterfly metamorphosis. Nelson & Sexton 28 Top Cat by Lois Ehlert • A cat must learn how to make the best of a difficult situation when a new kitten is added it its household. What Game Shall We Play? by Pat Hutchins Frog and Duck want to play a game. What should they play? Maybe Owl will know! Time To Sleep by Denise Fleming • Winter is here and it is time for bear to hibernate. Dinosaur Roar! by Paul Stickland and Henrietta Stickland • Introduces many different types of dinosaurs. Focus on opposites. Nelson & Sexton 29 Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang • A father and daughter turn bedtime into a fun rhyming game. What if the Zebras Lost Their Stripes? by John Reitano • Considers the possibilities of what might happen if the zebras actually lost their stripes. My Crayons Talk by Patricia Hubbard • Crayons talk to a young girl as she colors and draws pictures. Busy, Busy Mouse by Virginia Kroll • A book about what a mouse is up to when the people go to sleep. Nelson & Sexton 30 The Enormous Potato by Aubrey Davis • A family must work together to uproot a giant potato to share with their town. Duck on a Bike by David Shannon • Animals on a farm have a fun day cycling about when a group of kids leave their bikes lying around. Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by S. Weeks • What strange objects will Mrs. McNosh hang on her clothesline? Glad Monster, Sad Monster: A Book About Feelings by Anne Miranda • A book of monsters acting out emotions. Nelson & Sexton 31 Cows Can’t Fly by David Milgrim • Find out what happens when a young boy’s picture of flying cows makes its way to a cow pasture. Where Are You Going, Little Mouse? by Robert Kraus • A young mouse runs away, but discovers in the end that home is where he wants to be. What Will the Weather Be Like Today? by Paul Rogers • Humans and animals discuss the weather. Nelson & Sexton 32 Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes • Wemberly worries about everything. Many children will empathize with her big and little concerns. Good Boy, Fergus! by David Shannon • A book all about Fergus, the West Highland Terrier. The Monster Who Loved Books by Keith Faulkner • Will the monster learn that books aren’t meant to feed the belly, but are meant to feed the mind? Nelson & Sexton 33 ______________________________________________________________________________ Level I: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by Lorinda Bryan Cauley • The contrast of two different worlds and the mice that live in them. There’s a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer • All children with monster fears will know they are not alone. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael J. Rosen • A tail of a family out and about on an outrageous adventure. Nelson & Sexton 34 Five Little Kittens by Nancy Jewell • Gentle and welcoming, a tale of family cooperation is sure to inspire the goodwill of all children. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems • The demonstration of a child’s will and attachment, along with a parents need to nurture. A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester • Fluffy is a porcupine on a mission to resemble his name. The Napping House by Audrey Wood • “There is a house, a napping house, where everyone is sleeping.” Nelson & Sexton 35 The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle • Have you ever wondered what a spider does during the day? Read this book to find out! The Quilt by Ann Jonas • The fictitious coming to life of a little girls quilt within a colorful and vibrant storyline. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood, Audrey Wood • The struggle of little versus big. Mole’s Hill by Lois Ehlert • A lesson in nature coupled with ways in which to compromise so everyone gets what they want. Nelson & Sexton 36 The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown • A great conformation of a mothers love for her child. How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen • Modeling how to go to sleep with the children’s favorite dinosaur, T-­‐rex. My Best Friend by Pat Hutchins • A story about the joy of friendship. Good-­Night, Owl! by Pat Hutchins • Day or night? A story full of troubled sleep patterns, capped with a captivating ending. Nelson & Sexton 37 Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus • Acknowledges the fact that no one is the same, and that each of us follows our own time line. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn • A story to give all children courage for their first days of school. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level J: The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins • A lesson in sharing and in fractions. The cookie to person ratio dwindles and dwindles, until grandma saves the day. Nelson & Sexton 38 The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle • A masterpiece linking one of natures beautiful cycles with simple counting and beautiful art. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak • Wild imagination comes to life as a little boy’s world is transformed to suit is desires. There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer • A story about the ingenuity and problem solving children posses to over come their fears and problems in life. Nelson & Sexton 39 The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle • Everyone and everything grows and develops on their own schedule; a simple reassurance it is ok to do so. Meet Wild Boars by Meg Rosoff • Being friends with wild boars can be catastrophic. The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey • A story about a bond between a boy and his pet, and a life that is equally challenging and enjoyable for both. Bear Shadow by Frank Asch • Fun and energetic, this book follows a bear and his relentless shadow. Nelson & Sexton 40 King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood • The simplification of a royal court in a bathtub with silly and quirky artwork. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level K: Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina • A peddler works hard to sell the pile of caps stacked on his head. One day he cannot sell even one hat, he sits down and falls asleep under a tree. When he wakes up his hats are gone. They are in the tree, but who is wearing them? Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson • Harold creates an adventure with his purple crayon! Where will this young boy’s imagination take him? Nelson & Sexton 41 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Numeroff • If you give a mouse a cookie you better be prepared for what will follow! Scritch Scratch by Miriam Moss • Ms. Calypso and her students have lice! Be careful, lice can affect anyone. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox • A small boy with a large name sets out to discover the meaning of memory. This book is a favorite among people of all ages. It speaks to the importance of relationships and wisdom of the young and the old. The Colors of Us by Karen Katz •
Nelson & Sexton 42 There are many different shades of brown. Lena and her mom take a walk to explore all of the different shades of brown. Each person she sees has their own beautiful color and they are all different in a wonderful way. The Barn Owls by Tony Johnston • This poetry book illustrates the lives of many generations of owls. The Giant Cabbage by Cherie B. Stihler • A group of animal friends work together to get Moose’s giant cabbage to the fair. Piggybook by Anthony Browne • Mrs. Piggott is underappreciated by her family, she does everything for them, and she begins to realize they are acting as pigs. Mrs. Piggott decides to leave for awhile. What will happen to her family? Will they actually turn into pigs? Nelson & Sexton 43 The Baby Sister by Tomie dePaola • Little Tommy awaits a new sibling, and while his mother is in the hospital he must stay with his strict nana. A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle • Hermit Crab has outgrown his shell. He searches for a new home. In the beginning it seems very plain, but many different sea creatures help him make his new shell his home. Night in the Country by Cynthia Rylant • What does the country look like and sound like at night? Nelson & Sexton 44 Tom by Tomie dePaola • An autobiographical picture book, which illustrates dePaola’s relationship with his grandfather. Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle • A story about undersea fathers who are responsible for the traditional maternal role of protecting the eggs. The Sleepy Owl by Marcus Pfister • Little Owl oversleeps. When she awakes everyone is gone! She meets a young boy and with him she finds many more friends. Nelson & Sexton 45 Owen by Kevin Henkes • Owen loves his baby blanket, Fuzzy. However, is he getting too old to carry his blanket around, with kindergarten just right around the corner? Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin • The cows go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them electric blankets for the cold nights. Alice the Fairy by David Shannon • Alice, a young and outgoing girl, thinks she is a fairy. Watch her imagination come to life in this fun loving picture book by David Shannon. Nelson & Sexton 46 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level L: Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Weinman M. Sharmat • Gregory is a very picky eater. He doesn’t like the normal food that goat’s typically eat, like tincans. Instead he loves to eat fruits and vegetables. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey • Mr. and Mrs. Mallard search for a safe place to raise their ducklings. Miss Nelson is Missing By Harry Allard • The students in Miss Nelson’s class treat her with disrespect, then one day she disappears and they meet their substitute. Nelson & Sexton 47 Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean it!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst • Alexander’s family is moving 1000 miles away. He refuses to go, but after his parents reassure him, he decides to go. A Birthday Basket for Tia by Pat Mora • Cecilla plans and prepares for a surprise party for her great-­‐aunt’s birthday. This Year’s Garden by Cynthia Rylant • A little girl explains what her and her family do in the garden for each season of the year. Nelson & Sexton 48 June 29, 1999 by David Wiesner • Vegetable seedlings fly into the sky, and a month later peculiar things begin happening across the United States from giant turnips to looming lima beans. Sitti’s Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye • Mona travels to her grandmother’s Palestinian village with her father, where she learns much from her grandmother. Swimmy by Leo Lionni • Swimmy and his friends work together to protect themselves from danger in the ocean. Nelson & Sexton 49 ______________________________________________________________________________ Level M: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett • The town of ChewandSwallow has peculiar weather. Instead of rain and snow, soup and hamburgers fall from the sky. What other food will this town’s curious weather bring? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level N: Pioneer Cat by William H. Hooks • A fun, fictitious story about the perils of traveling the Oregon Trail. Livened up by a new cat friend, a child can experience the Oregon Trail. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level O: Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary • A book all older and younger sisters will appreciate. A story that demonstrates the love and relationships between sisters. Nelson & Sexton 50 The BFG by Roald Dahl • A story about a misfit friendship between a child and a giant. Henry and the Paper Route by Beverly Cleary • Dedication and hard work are the ingredients for achieving goals, and this is exactly how Henry reaches his. Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary • Henry finds his true self with his new friend. Nelson & Sexton 51 Matilda by Roald Dahl • The triumph of child (good) over parents and principal (evil), in the most hilarious of ways. Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary • A representation of the real life struggles a family experiences and how they get through them together. Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary • A continuation of sisterhood shows how even with experience and maturation trouble can still be found with the right recipe. Nelson & Sexton 52 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary • Trials and tribulations never get young Ramona down. Struggles at school and home make the person Ramona is shine through. Ribsy by Beverly Cleary • A dog loves his family and will do anything to be reunited with them. Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary • The pursuance of an exciting life reminds Ralph of how much he loved the life he left behind. Sideways Stories from Wayside School • Outrageous stories that pack a moral punch. Nelson & Sexton 53 Socks by Beverly Cleary • A story about how both a pet and young child take the arrival of a new baby. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Level P: Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl • A tale of farmer versus vermin. The Twits by Roald Dahl • The Mugglewumo monkeys have had enough. Mr. and Mrs. Twit better watch out! Nelson & Sexton 54 George’s Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl • George gives his grandmother a medicine he made, which consists of shampoo, floor polish, and shaving cream. The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl • A story about some animals that open a window-­‐cleaning company.