Beginner Books
All children just beginning to read benefit from using several approaches. The phonics method assigns a sound to each letter; children may also memorize words (called sight words) that cannot be sounded out easily. Some children will also recognize and "read" words by using the illustrations as clues. Also, the content of the story may sometimes lead to the recognition of new words. Another helpful way to make reading easier is to look at a vocabulary list before reading so that when the word appears in the text it may be recognized. For some, this might help to make reading smoother instead of a stop/start-again routine. By using various techniques or a combination of them, most children and their parents will find learning to read a positive and rewarding adventure.
The books on the following lists have limited vocabularies and some have word lists in the back of the book. These books are appropriate for children just beginning to read independently. Many authors listed have more titles suitable for this reading level.
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New Books for Beginner Readers
Some of these books can be READ BY a beginner reader, others are good for READING ALOUD TO a beginner reader.
Reading Level: Ages 3 - 7
This one word book cleverly tells the story of a ball obsessed dog who has nobody to play with him.
Reading Level: Ages 2 - 6
A dog talks about all the things he has to do each day, like make sure people don't oversleep and clean the dishes in this funny book for dog lovers.
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Reading Level: Grades1 - 2
While taking a walk Penny finds a beautiful marble on Mrs. Goodwin's lawn and takes it home, but then her conscience begins to bother her. What if the marble belongs to Mrs. Goodwin and she wants it back?
Reading Level: Ages 2 - 7
Mama duck takes her duckings for a walk through the park and into town where they encounter an unexpected sewer grate with holes just the right size to swallow up ducklings in this book reminiscent of Make Way for Ducklings and Ducks Disappearing.
Reading Level: Ages 3 - 6
The thing that makes Percy the happiest is balloons. Unfortunately, because he is a porcupine, balloons also tend to make him the saddest as well. How can a little porcupine possibly play with a balloon without popping it?

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