As my 1st grader gets more confident in his reading, we’re looking to turn the corner from the Level books with pictures into beginning Chapter books. But it’s a big corner and what are the best beginner/early chapter books?
Things to look for as your child gets better with their reading and ventures into chapter books:
Larger fonts. I learned this with my first son – lots of words on a page in a first time chapter book can be daunting.
Shorter chapters. My boys love the sense of accomplishment of finishing a chapter when they are new readers. I’d rather find a book with lots of short chapters than few, longer ones.
So here we go. Here’s a list of some of the ones I’ve found to be great for new readers for my kids. Let me know if you have some favorites too and I can always add them!
Junie B Jones – a favorite, especially amongst the girls! A boxed set of the first 4 books is $11.98 on Amazon
The Magic Treehouse series, here is a link to a boxed set of books #1-4 which is $11.28 on Amazon. Love these books about a brother and sister who travel time (and space!) via a magic treehouse in the woods near their house. Every book is a history lesson of some kind!
Nate the Great - my kids love this kid detective and his stories
Flat Stanley - $5.29 on Amazon
Geronimo Stilton – Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (this is also book 1 in a series)
Perfect timing! We are reading a chapter book (Winn-Dixie) with my son and needed some idea for more – thank you!!!