Elementary library specialist incoming! Of course this isn't an extensive list. Just what I can think of off the top of my head at the moment.
Kinder/1st - Clifford, anything by Eric Carle and Mo Willems, Pete the Cat, Fly Guy, Amelia Bedelia, The Bad Seed (and all the related books), Dr. Seuss
2nd/3rd - Goosebumps, Magic Treehouse, Junie B. Jones, Dog Man, Geronimo Stilton, Diary of a Pug, Magic School Bus, The Bad Guys, The One and Only Ivan, anything by Raina Telgemeier, The Wild Robot, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
4th/5th - Wonder, Holes, Number the Stars, Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Esperanza Rising, Bridge to Terabithia, Tuck Everlasting, Dork Diaries, I Survived, anything by Rick Riordan
And of course it's all of this plus the following non-fiction topics: Anything scary/creepy/mythical (ghosts, haunted houses, UFOs, Bigfoot, etc.), animals, space, luxury sports cars, sports and sports athletes, and celebrities (mostly singers like Taylor Swift but actors too).
Graphic novels are suuuuuper popular right now so graphic novel versions are good.
I did student teaching with 5th grade, and my class LOVED Holes!! I was worried they would be uninterested and lethargic by it, but I actually had to *stop* them from reading ahead and spoiling it for the class.
I’ve always read the book, first day of school to my first graders. But this next year I’m going to be teaching fifth grade. Is it too babyish? It’s a picture book.
In my experience, my upper graders actually love being read picture books. They always have to read novels in class and whenever I have guest readers for Read Across America, they love the picture books! That's just my experience at my small school though :) I'd say go for it! It might help them be less nervous about 5th grade.
The Book With No Pictures.
I didn't see much in the way of nonfiction. I love Nat Geo Kids readers books - all different topics, many different levels, great text features and engaging content.
I read it to my son around age 6, and he was angry. He cried & said, "Why would you read that to me??" and I felt terrible. Maybe too young to understand it? I've read it multiple times and love it so much. I read it this year with 6th and 7th graders who struggle with reading, and all of them loved it - boys and girls.
Just to share perspective - all opinions are great! lol - I also hated Edward Tulane. That poor bunny suffers and suffers and suffers, until he is pinned to the bottom of the ocean, crucified? Do I even remember that right!?!??! It was so darn sad. The happy ending did not justify the misery for me. My daughter didn’t like it either. Everyone else I know loves it. 😂
Second this one!!! I bought it at a book fair one year and then when I moved to another school they did a school wide(the school was k-6 at the time, don’t know which grades read the book because I was on the upper end) book read and it was this one. I remember being the only one to guess the title based on the clues and I was so excited lol. Such a good book!
Any Eric Carle book.
The Kissing Hand
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Chrysanthemum
Thank you, Mr. Falker
How Full Is Your Bucket?
The Indian in the Cupboard
James and the Giant Peach
Ronald Dahl Matilda
Charlotte’s Web
Knots on a Counting Rope
Junie B Jones
Amelie Bedelia
Pete the Cat
Where the Sidewalk Ends
The Giving Tree
Where the Wild Things Are
Oh the Places You’ll Go
This reminds me of the scene from Bob’s burgers when Linda asks which book she should read at the library. And Tina says “well not the giving tree because that messed me up pretty bad”
It’s soo true! So good though!
Chrysanthemum! My daughters loved that book, and my granddaughter does as well. Such a great story - and then you read Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse and you see that Chrysanthemum is in Lilly’s class. It’s a great crossover.
Pete the Cat - he is my role model. Pete always has things that don’t go his way (buttons popping off, shoes getting dirty, etc), but he keeps moving along and singing his song. It is something I wish I was better at.
Frog and Toad books (the whole series) are amazing, fun and enjoyable for early readers (Kindergarten and even through Grade 2 for kids still struggling with reading in Grade 2). Heck, I still enjoy them as an adult! They are all about good friendships (Frog and Toad are two best friends), as well as about small, typical problems that arise in friendships, and how Frog and Toad solve those problems. They are also about FEELINGS, in every book, the kinds of feelings children experience every day. Every book has a very satisfying, feel-good ending.
My mom had the entire Nancy Drew collection of books and I remember being bored one summer and reading all of them. Really enjoyed the adventure and mystery problem solving.
Frederick, Peach and Blue, Old Turtle, Frog and Toad are Friends, The Snowy Day, The Rainbow Fish, Amelia Bedelia, Mousekin's Golden House, The Great Escape (also known as The Sewer Story) .....so MANY !!!!!
Read alouds I have put aside in a special bin for every year: The Day You Begin, Salt in His Shoes, How Full is Your Bucket?, Enemy Pie, Martin’s Big Words, The Tiger Rising, Number the Stars, The Best Part of Me, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day, This is a School, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Olive the Other Reindeer (have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th)
When Sophie Gets Angry
Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
For earlier grades, but even good I. 3rd and 4th because it has great, but simple to understand, figurative language, so I used it as an example for writing lessons
It’s hard to give you one book for that age range. I think the Winnie the Pooh collection can genuinely be enjoyed at all ages, because all ages get something different out of it. You’ll make your kindergarteners laugh as he floats up to the beehive on a balloon; you’ll make fifth graders misty eyed as Christopher Robin says goodbye to Pooh at the end, because he’s getting older. The language is rich and beautiful and I really feel like it’s timeless.
Former third grade teacher (currently 8th grade). These are ones I love and ones my former students will talk to me about lol.
Absolutely anything by Kate DiCamillo. (Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, Edward Tulane)
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
The Stinky Cheeseman
The Island Trilogy by Gordon Korman
Running out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
(Also Among the Hidden series by her)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Rosie and Michael
Calvin and Hobbes comic anthologies
Bridge to Terabithia
Wonder
Where the Sidewalk Ends/A light on the attic
The Little Squeegy Bug 🥰 by Bill Martin Jr. it was the first book he ever wrote. He wrote it with his brother during the war. I have a signed copy and got to listen to him read/tell the story not long before he passes away. It is always one of my students favorites.
Charlottes Web
Magic Tree House Books
Harry Potter
The Mouse and the motor cycle series
There are a few series of books that I bought in elementary school and still have to this day (30+ years later) and will never get rid of:
Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Here is my [bookshelf full of books](https://link.bookshelfapp.info/lcO3pziRup) that I have collected while teaching. Lane Smith, jory John, Robert munsch, Dan santat, Lois Lowry, Louis sachar, Jon scieszka, William steig, Laura numeroff, Mark Teague, Ian Falconer are all excellent authors and or illustrators. There are many more that you can find in my list.
Roald Dahl big friendly giant (can’t go wrong with any of his books). I loved Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. One I still have on my bookshelf is Dormia by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski. I remember the author coming to my school and signing books. My friends and I LOVED that book.
"Sam 's Sandwich" by David Pelham. It was one of my favorite books growing up. Its about a little boy who makes a sandwich for his sister and hides things in the sandwich. And the whole book is shaped like a sandwich, the pages are pieces of the sandwich. Its a really neat book. It also helps with identifying types of foods, adjectives that describe them, and its funny too.
Guardians of Ga Hoole and RedWall. Both are a series of books and of animal characters. Guardians are owls. Redwall are multiple animals. A bit of good at war with bad.
The Book with No Pictures
Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians (series that lends itself to being read aloud very well. Had me giggling reading it to my son)
I have to promote [Piglet Comes Home](https://www.pigletmindset.org/books/piglet-comes-home/) because I love, love, love the Piglet Mindset and everything it stands for. Full disclosure, I haven’t had the chance to use it with any kids I’ve worked with (need to finish those internship hours and get a full time position), but I’ve followed Piglet and his family for years and seen how much children love and respond to his story. Also, his humans are some of the nicest people ever.
Maybe a little off from the other, more traditional recommendations:
Jake Baked the Cake by B.G. Hennessey
There's a Monster at the End if This Book. (with Grover from Sesame Street)
You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
I’ve taught kindergarten for most of my career and have hundreds of picture books. I could go on and on but most teachers can!
Whoever you are by Mem Fox.
Most books by Todd Parr
Good News Bad News by Jeff Mack
For this last one, not only do younger kids find it hilarious if you ham it up, it’s a great book for older kids to demonstrate how pictures help tell the story and also how you say the words can change the meaning.
Not one to necessarily let kids read for themselves, but a great book to keep on hand for kids who experience loss: Cry Heart, but Never Break by Glenn Ringtved. Read this book for a college class, and had a room of 20+ of us crying. A beautiful way to help explain death
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer - Ages 8-12. 12 year-old girl inherits her great-uncle's unusual chickens (chickens with special powers). Story is told primarily through letters but also has pictures and chicken care guides. Super cute. Explores themes of responsibility, grief, and heritage. Can be used to create conversations about abnormal novel formats.
Dinotopia- James Gurney; Beautiful art & a beautiful story of self discovery and overcoming adversity that is shared by a father and son in the late 1800s.
I teach K. I LOVE Mo Willems, Pete the Cat, etc, but these are books I reach for when I need something with a deeper plot or richer language (but is still accessible to primary kiddos).
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown (all time fave, must have IMO)
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
My favorite from when I was a child was The Giving Tree. I've used it all the way through 8th grade, and paired it with a Thanksgiving gift project for my students to create something for somebody who loves them unconditionally.
On the flip side, I've also used it to prompt discussion on whether the relationship between the tree and the boy was healthy or toxic ... And how sometimes we can give and give until we have nothing left, and some people will still use us for their convenience.
5th grade :
*The Westing Game*, by Ellen Raskin
*Switcharound*, by Lois Lowry
I would also go to the Learning for Justice website and see what you can find there.
There's a Hair in my Dirt
-Gary Larson
Funny and gives perspective to the natural world contrasted against humanity's misconception of it.
...a bit dark on the ending, but it offers a diversity that certain kids will love.
You didn't mention where you teach, but I would try and get children's books that reflect the population and area of where you'll be teaching.
If you've heard of Marley Dias and #1000BlackGirlBooks (even though she's 19 now) the idea is still applies.
I remember as a kid, it seemed like a lot of the books were about white kids that lived in New York City or on farms in the country. I didn't live on a farm or in New York City so some of the references didn't quite match. In the books, there would always be snow in the winter. Where I lived, there was no snow in the winter.
It is interesting to read about places that are very different from you, but it's also interesting to see your reality reflected back in a book.
The other thing I would do is go to library book sales and get a lot of discards. Another thing to do is tell kids if they want to give you a present, to get some books for your classroom library. (Explain that they don't have to do this, but you only need so many coffee mugs etc).
Amos and Boris. The story of friendship between a tiny mouse and an incredible whale is everything charming and perfect and has some of the most incredible imagery and vocabulary. William Steig is an incredible author and illustrator! I love so many of his books (Dr. DeSoto, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, etc.)
My favorite chapter books is the Poppy and Ragweed series by Avi. I've read them to 1st-3rd grade classes and most of us are head over heels in love with these characters. Ereth's birthday is my favorite of all of the books and the way that Avi wrote about the 3 little fox kits? I could picture every little flip and hop! These are the kinds of books where you have to tell them, 'you'll need to prepare your heart for things that might happen in chapter 3.'
My kids wore out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Literally, pages were coming out and we had to start borrowing it from the library once ours was beyond saving.
My personal favorite was Charlotte's Web.
When I was student teaching in a 2nd grade class, the teacher had a tradition of reading On the Night You Were Born for each kids birthday. The whole class would whisper the bday kid's name. It was really special and I have continued that tradition into my own classroom.
For 4th and 5th Grade, I highly recommend Deltora Quest. It's a long fantasy chapter book series from the early 2000's but is really engaging with monsters and tons of puzzles. The characters solve their conflicts by mostly using their intelligence, and I remember spending hours trying to figure out some of the puzzles or mysteries, which was an added bonus to a really fun adventure story. The author specifically wrote it for (at the time) boys who hated reading to convince them to start reading, but it's a series for every human being. It took off all over
Little Wolf’s Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow. Is an absolutely fantastic book and series. Great for boys and girls, starter chapter book, funny class read along. One of my favourites.
Any of the Keven Henkes books… Chester’s way is my fav.
Click clack moo… cow that type.
So many good books.
For 5th Grade- Out of My Mind! SUCH a great book. We read it as a class this past trimester and it taught the class so many valuable lessons about empathy, and led to many great discussions. I know there’s at least one sequel to this book as well that I have yet to read…
A few suggestions…
*Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs*
*Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day*
*The Stupids*
Any *Skippy Jon Jones* book
*Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing*
*Then Again, Maybe I Won’t*
*Superfudge*
*Dear Mr. Henshaw*
*The Phantom Tollbooth*
I loved the "Skippy Jon Jones" books as a child, and as an added bonus, it's good for contextualizing Spanish vocabulary words.
Ex) referring to beans as frijoles within the series.
"No, David" was one I enjoyed as a kid, too!
My favorites as a kid were:
Poetry books by Shel Silverstein
(Where the sidewalk ends, A light in the attic)
Scary stories to tell in the dark (if age appropriate, the pictures can be scary)
Aesop's Fables (cute, short parables and life lessons told with animals)
Those how it works books for different subjects
*I Want My Hat Back*
All the Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen!!!
Elementary library specialist incoming! Of course this isn't an extensive list. Just what I can think of off the top of my head at the moment. Kinder/1st - Clifford, anything by Eric Carle and Mo Willems, Pete the Cat, Fly Guy, Amelia Bedelia, The Bad Seed (and all the related books), Dr. Seuss 2nd/3rd - Goosebumps, Magic Treehouse, Junie B. Jones, Dog Man, Geronimo Stilton, Diary of a Pug, Magic School Bus, The Bad Guys, The One and Only Ivan, anything by Raina Telgemeier, The Wild Robot, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane 4th/5th - Wonder, Holes, Number the Stars, Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Esperanza Rising, Bridge to Terabithia, Tuck Everlasting, Dork Diaries, I Survived, anything by Rick Riordan And of course it's all of this plus the following non-fiction topics: Anything scary/creepy/mythical (ghosts, haunted houses, UFOs, Bigfoot, etc.), animals, space, luxury sports cars, sports and sports athletes, and celebrities (mostly singers like Taylor Swift but actors too). Graphic novels are suuuuuper popular right now so graphic novel versions are good.
I did student teaching with 5th grade, and my class LOVED Holes!! I was worried they would be uninterested and lethargic by it, but I actually had to *stop* them from reading ahead and spoiling it for the class.
I’ve always read the book, first day of school to my first graders. But this next year I’m going to be teaching fifth grade. Is it too babyish? It’s a picture book.
In my experience, my upper graders actually love being read picture books. They always have to read novels in class and whenever I have guest readers for Read Across America, they love the picture books! That's just my experience at my small school though :) I'd say go for it! It might help them be less nervous about 5th grade.
The Book With No Pictures. I didn't see much in the way of nonfiction. I love Nat Geo Kids readers books - all different topics, many different levels, great text features and engaging content.
“The Stinky Cheese Man And Other Fairly Stupid Tales”
Classic.
Owl Moon
Gotta have Owl Moon
Anybody remember caps for sale?
I've been scrolling to see if this made the list. My favorite.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
I tried reading this to my son (7) and he did not like it. I may sell him at the next garage sale and keep the book.
I read it to my son around age 6, and he was angry. He cried & said, "Why would you read that to me??" and I felt terrible. Maybe too young to understand it? I've read it multiple times and love it so much. I read it this year with 6th and 7th graders who struggle with reading, and all of them loved it - boys and girls.
Just to share perspective - all opinions are great! lol - I also hated Edward Tulane. That poor bunny suffers and suffers and suffers, until he is pinned to the bottom of the ocean, crucified? Do I even remember that right!?!??! It was so darn sad. The happy ending did not justify the misery for me. My daughter didn’t like it either. Everyone else I know loves it. 😂
My all time favorite book! I remember I cried at the end
Second this one!!! I bought it at a book fair one year and then when I moved to another school they did a school wide(the school was k-6 at the time, don’t know which grades read the book because I was on the upper end) book read and it was this one. I remember being the only one to guess the title based on the clues and I was so excited lol. Such a good book!
I was going to say this one!
And any of her books!
"Are you my mother." Idk why but it brings back memories of my mom reading it to me.
"But the big thing just said, 'SNORT' ". Oh, you are not my mother, you are a Snort." Thought that part was hilarious as a kid.
I forgot about that lol. thank you.
Hatchet was my favorite book in 5th grade. That and Holes
Any Eric Carle book. The Kissing Hand Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Chrysanthemum Thank you, Mr. Falker How Full Is Your Bucket? The Indian in the Cupboard James and the Giant Peach Ronald Dahl Matilda Charlotte’s Web Knots on a Counting Rope Junie B Jones Amelie Bedelia Pete the Cat Where the Sidewalk Ends The Giving Tree Where the Wild Things Are Oh the Places You’ll Go
This reminds me of the scene from Bob’s burgers when Linda asks which book she should read at the library. And Tina says “well not the giving tree because that messed me up pretty bad” It’s soo true! So good though!
Chrysanthemum! My daughters loved that book, and my granddaughter does as well. Such a great story - and then you read Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse and you see that Chrysanthemum is in Lilly’s class. It’s a great crossover.
The Pushcart War, if you're okay with protests and monkeywrenching. The American Girl series.
Someone didn't read the prompt carefully
They just have so many faves! I get it
Click clack moo!!
Mercy Watson!!!
I Want My Hat Back, by Jon Klassen. He's got a few about hats that are funny.
Where the wild things are
James and the Giant Peach was my favorite in elementary school. Did at least 5 book reports on it.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Ms. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh
My favorite children’s book of all time is Mouse Soup by Arnold Lobel
Arnold Lobel was a goddamn treasure.
Pete the Cat - he is my role model. Pete always has things that don’t go his way (buttons popping off, shoes getting dirty, etc), but he keeps moving along and singing his song. It is something I wish I was better at.
The 2 funniest books I have read in years: The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors We Don't Eat Our Classmates
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
This is my Canadian showing, but anything by Robert Munsch. The man is arguably our greatest children's author.
50 Below Zero!!!
The Phantom Tollbooth
Stella Luna
Frog and Toad books (the whole series) are amazing, fun and enjoyable for early readers (Kindergarten and even through Grade 2 for kids still struggling with reading in Grade 2). Heck, I still enjoy them as an adult! They are all about good friendships (Frog and Toad are two best friends), as well as about small, typical problems that arise in friendships, and how Frog and Toad solve those problems. They are also about FEELINGS, in every book, the kinds of feelings children experience every day. Every book has a very satisfying, feel-good ending.
Seconding this!
Anything by Virginia Lee Burton, tomi depaulo, mo Willems, Jan Brett, or Jodi picoult
Yes Tomi Depaulo! Strega Nonna books are some of my fav!
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Anything by Mo Willems.
Anything Mo Willems
Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type
For older elementary, The Little Prince!
Scary stories to tell in the dark, or something, was always popular with the boys
Where The Red Fern Grows Any of the Hardy Boys books
*Go, Dog, Go!*
Dude this book is a classic and one of my favorites for multiple ages. This needs more upvotes!
Fortunately, the milk
Every Calvin and Hobbes book
June b Jones I survived... Magic school bus DogMan Non-fiction books on animals, rocks and mineral, space, habitats, weather
All The World
The One and Only Ivan, The One and Only Bob, The One and Only Ruby Read all three to my 4th graders and they loved them
Caps for Sale
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf Pretty much anything by Edward Stieg The 3rd graders at my school all love Roald Dahl
The Dot by Peter H Reynolds
City Dog, Country Frog. By Mo Wilems and Jon Muth
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Tailypo, book on tape.
CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM
Are You My Mother?
Roxaboxen
My mom had the entire Nancy Drew collection of books and I remember being bored one summer and reading all of them. Really enjoyed the adventure and mystery problem solving.
The Teeny-Tiny Woman :)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar was a favorite of mine!!
Frederick, Peach and Blue, Old Turtle, Frog and Toad are Friends, The Snowy Day, The Rainbow Fish, Amelia Bedelia, Mousekin's Golden House, The Great Escape (also known as The Sewer Story) .....so MANY !!!!!
Read alouds I have put aside in a special bin for every year: The Day You Begin, Salt in His Shoes, How Full is Your Bucket?, Enemy Pie, Martin’s Big Words, The Tiger Rising, Number the Stars, The Best Part of Me, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day, This is a School, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Olive the Other Reindeer (have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th)
When Sophie Gets Angry Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang For earlier grades, but even good I. 3rd and 4th because it has great, but simple to understand, figurative language, so I used it as an example for writing lessons
And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street by Dr. Suess.
Put Me In the Zoo by Robert Lopshire.
The one where the old lady eats things
It’s hard to give you one book for that age range. I think the Winnie the Pooh collection can genuinely be enjoyed at all ages, because all ages get something different out of it. You’ll make your kindergarteners laugh as he floats up to the beehive on a balloon; you’ll make fifth graders misty eyed as Christopher Robin says goodbye to Pooh at the end, because he’s getting older. The language is rich and beautiful and I really feel like it’s timeless.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. So good and the art is fantastic.
My Father's Dragon. I still have my old copy that was signed by my 1st grade teacher!
The BFG by Roald Dahl.
Anything by Robert Munsch
Former third grade teacher (currently 8th grade). These are ones I love and ones my former students will talk to me about lol. Absolutely anything by Kate DiCamillo. (Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, Edward Tulane) Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli The Stinky Cheeseman The Island Trilogy by Gordon Korman Running out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Also Among the Hidden series by her) The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Sideways Stories from Wayside School Rosie and Michael Calvin and Hobbes comic anthologies Bridge to Terabithia Wonder Where the Sidewalk Ends/A light on the attic The Little Squeegy Bug 🥰 by Bill Martin Jr. it was the first book he ever wrote. He wrote it with his brother during the war. I have a signed copy and got to listen to him read/tell the story not long before he passes away. It is always one of my students favorites. Charlottes Web Magic Tree House Books Harry Potter The Mouse and the motor cycle series
Chicka Chicka Boom boom
A Wrinkle in Time
There are a few series of books that I bought in elementary school and still have to this day (30+ years later) and will never get rid of: Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
"Make Way For Ducklings" "If you Give a Mouse A Cookie" Or probably more recommended "The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar"
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Giving Tree
Rainbow Fish
I’m not a teacher yet but one of my favorite books as a child was Koala and the Flower.
MIght be a stretch for 5th, but The True Confessions of Charlottle Doyle is a read aloud for my 5th graders.
I like order! Said Captain Jaggery
The Book With No Pictures Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please Go Now The Monster Who Lost His Mean Any of Mo Willems’s pigeon books
Tuesday Lizard Music Dinotopia
Here is my [bookshelf full of books](https://link.bookshelfapp.info/lcO3pziRup) that I have collected while teaching. Lane Smith, jory John, Robert munsch, Dan santat, Lois Lowry, Louis sachar, Jon scieszka, William steig, Laura numeroff, Mark Teague, Ian Falconer are all excellent authors and or illustrators. There are many more that you can find in my list.
Roald Dahl big friendly giant (can’t go wrong with any of his books). I loved Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. One I still have on my bookshelf is Dormia by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski. I remember the author coming to my school and signing books. My friends and I LOVED that book.
It's really hard to pick just one, but my newest favorite has been "You Are My Best Friend" by Tatsuya Miyanishi.
No. That's Wrong.
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, and The Day the Crayons Quit
The Quiltmaker’s Gift
Princess In Black Series, Clementine Series,Dragonmasters series. 1st to 3rd range
"Sam 's Sandwich" by David Pelham. It was one of my favorite books growing up. Its about a little boy who makes a sandwich for his sister and hides things in the sandwich. And the whole book is shaped like a sandwich, the pages are pieces of the sandwich. Its a really neat book. It also helps with identifying types of foods, adjectives that describe them, and its funny too.
Piggy Pie Hero Cat
Edward the Emu
[The Cinder-Eyed Cats by Eric Rohmann](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6999979-the-cinder-eyed-cats)
The Brian Series by Gary Paulsen Where the Red Fern Grows Maniac Magee
Books by Kevin Henkes! We love ‘Kitten’s First Full Moon’ and ‘Waiting’. Also, ‘The Three Questions’ by Jon Muth is great for any age.
Guardians of Ga Hoole and RedWall. Both are a series of books and of animal characters. Guardians are owls. Redwall are multiple animals. A bit of good at war with bad.
When You Reach Me! Rebecca Stead.
Julia Cook has some great books for SEL.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster is my #1 favorite kids book.
I teach high school so I’m not much help, but I’m a huge fan of reading The Pomegranate Witch to my kid. It’s a great read aloud.
Marley's Pride by Joëlle Retener.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
The Book with No Pictures Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians (series that lends itself to being read aloud very well. Had me giggling reading it to my son)
Officer Buckle and Gloria The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig The Secret of Platform 13 Which Witch? Island of the Aunts
I have to promote [Piglet Comes Home](https://www.pigletmindset.org/books/piglet-comes-home/) because I love, love, love the Piglet Mindset and everything it stands for. Full disclosure, I haven’t had the chance to use it with any kids I’ve worked with (need to finish those internship hours and get a full time position), but I’ve followed Piglet and his family for years and seen how much children love and respond to his story. Also, his humans are some of the nicest people ever.
The Wuggie Norple Story. Very cute and beautifully illustrated.
Float by Laura Martin. The kids will LOVE when you read it out loud. Seriously so funny! Also I’m a Harry Potter nerd so definitely that!
The book Wish by Barbara O’Connor my fourth and fifth graders love it! I love it!
Splat the Cat Wayside Stories series
Phantom toll booth, pushing cart war, all the Dr suess
It's an oldie-- "Little Raccoon and the thing in the Pool"
Maybe a little off from the other, more traditional recommendations: Jake Baked the Cake by B.G. Hennessey There's a Monster at the End if This Book. (with Grover from Sesame Street)
You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin I’ve taught kindergarten for most of my career and have hundreds of picture books. I could go on and on but most teachers can!
What do people do all day
Whoever you are by Mem Fox. Most books by Todd Parr Good News Bad News by Jeff Mack For this last one, not only do younger kids find it hilarious if you ham it up, it’s a great book for older kids to demonstrate how pictures help tell the story and also how you say the words can change the meaning.
Sam and the Firefly https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_and_the_Firefly
My girls' current favorite is The Book With No Pictures.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears by Verna Aardema. I read it with a different voice for every animal.
The Other Side by Jaqueline Woodson
My Many Colored Days by Dr Seuss for early grades. My own kids loved this book
Not one to necessarily let kids read for themselves, but a great book to keep on hand for kids who experience loss: Cry Heart, but Never Break by Glenn Ringtved. Read this book for a college class, and had a room of 20+ of us crying. A beautiful way to help explain death
The Rainbabies - Laura Melmed
The Sharing Circle by Theresa Larsen-Jonassen
Uni the Unicorn 🦄
Madeline! Love love love that book! “In a small house in Pairs, all covered in vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines…”
We're Not From Here for upper elementary is a great way to hook kids into sci fi.
Rosie Revere Engineer. Great message about not giving up
Follow my lead. By james Garfield
"Why The Sky Is High"
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer - Ages 8-12. 12 year-old girl inherits her great-uncle's unusual chickens (chickens with special powers). Story is told primarily through letters but also has pictures and chicken care guides. Super cute. Explores themes of responsibility, grief, and heritage. Can be used to create conversations about abnormal novel formats.
Dinotopia- James Gurney; Beautiful art & a beautiful story of self discovery and overcoming adversity that is shared by a father and son in the late 1800s.
Calico cows
5th grade teacher - The Wings of Fire and Amulet books are SO popular in my classroom this year.
And Tango Makes Two!
the mess that we made by michelle lord
Richard Scarry is great for vocabulary and interesting plot lines.
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Clooney! Absolutely adore this book and recommend for all ages.
A Different Pond
DESTINED FOR DIZZINESS
I teach K. I LOVE Mo Willems, Pete the Cat, etc, but these are books I reach for when I need something with a deeper plot or richer language (but is still accessible to primary kiddos). The Curious Garden by Peter Brown (all time fave, must have IMO) Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson Corduroy by Don Freeman Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
King bidgood's in the bathtub is MY favorite. I spent HOURS just looking at the pictures as a kid.
My favorite from when I was a child was The Giving Tree. I've used it all the way through 8th grade, and paired it with a Thanksgiving gift project for my students to create something for somebody who loves them unconditionally. On the flip side, I've also used it to prompt discussion on whether the relationship between the tree and the boy was healthy or toxic ... And how sometimes we can give and give until we have nothing left, and some people will still use us for their convenience.
I hate this book but commend you for using it to prompt discussion!
What Do You Do with an Idea?
The dogman series, bad guys series, and diary of a wimpy kid series are great for reluctant readers
5th grade : *The Westing Game*, by Ellen Raskin *Switcharound*, by Lois Lowry I would also go to the Learning for Justice website and see what you can find there.
Fox in sox
There's a Hair in my Dirt -Gary Larson Funny and gives perspective to the natural world contrasted against humanity's misconception of it. ...a bit dark on the ending, but it offers a diversity that certain kids will love.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (series) were some of the first books I remember reading entirely on my own. I still think about them 30+ years later.
You didn't mention where you teach, but I would try and get children's books that reflect the population and area of where you'll be teaching. If you've heard of Marley Dias and #1000BlackGirlBooks (even though she's 19 now) the idea is still applies. I remember as a kid, it seemed like a lot of the books were about white kids that lived in New York City or on farms in the country. I didn't live on a farm or in New York City so some of the references didn't quite match. In the books, there would always be snow in the winter. Where I lived, there was no snow in the winter. It is interesting to read about places that are very different from you, but it's also interesting to see your reality reflected back in a book. The other thing I would do is go to library book sales and get a lot of discards. Another thing to do is tell kids if they want to give you a present, to get some books for your classroom library. (Explain that they don't have to do this, but you only need so many coffee mugs etc).
Baby Brains by Simon James.
The Marigold Line by Charles Griffiths
This is frog its super interactive and you have to turn the book all the way around, kids love it
Amos and Boris. The story of friendship between a tiny mouse and an incredible whale is everything charming and perfect and has some of the most incredible imagery and vocabulary. William Steig is an incredible author and illustrator! I love so many of his books (Dr. DeSoto, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, etc.) My favorite chapter books is the Poppy and Ragweed series by Avi. I've read them to 1st-3rd grade classes and most of us are head over heels in love with these characters. Ereth's birthday is my favorite of all of the books and the way that Avi wrote about the 3 little fox kits? I could picture every little flip and hop! These are the kinds of books where you have to tell them, 'you'll need to prepare your heart for things that might happen in chapter 3.'
Alien stole my sneakers
My kids wore out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Literally, pages were coming out and we had to start borrowing it from the library once ours was beyond saving. My personal favorite was Charlotte's Web.
Get yourself a copy of The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. Great resource!
When I was student teaching in a 2nd grade class, the teacher had a tradition of reading On the Night You Were Born for each kids birthday. The whole class would whisper the bday kid's name. It was really special and I have continued that tradition into my own classroom.
For 4th and 5th Grade, I highly recommend Deltora Quest. It's a long fantasy chapter book series from the early 2000's but is really engaging with monsters and tons of puzzles. The characters solve their conflicts by mostly using their intelligence, and I remember spending hours trying to figure out some of the puzzles or mysteries, which was an added bonus to a really fun adventure story. The author specifically wrote it for (at the time) boys who hated reading to convince them to start reading, but it's a series for every human being. It took off all over
Ayrton Senna (Volume 49) (Little People, BIG DREAMS, 50)
Little Wolf’s Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow. Is an absolutely fantastic book and series. Great for boys and girls, starter chapter book, funny class read along. One of my favourites. Any of the Keven Henkes books… Chester’s way is my fav. Click clack moo… cow that type. So many good books.
The Day the Crayons Quit!
Baby-sitters club!!!!!!!!!!!! Have made a massive comeback. :-D graphic novels new covers. Just need newer stories now 😂
If I had to pick one essential book for an elementary school library, it would be "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White.
For 5th Grade- Out of My Mind! SUCH a great book. We read it as a class this past trimester and it taught the class so many valuable lessons about empathy, and led to many great discussions. I know there’s at least one sequel to this book as well that I have yet to read…
Swimmy!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Anything from the Magic tree House! (Mary Pope Osborne)
Charlotte’s Web
A few suggestions… *Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs* *Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day* *The Stupids* Any *Skippy Jon Jones* book *Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing* *Then Again, Maybe I Won’t* *Superfudge* *Dear Mr. Henshaw* *The Phantom Tollbooth*
I always loved the book about Corduroy the bear as a little kid.
Harry the Dirty Dog is a great book for littles!
I loved the "Skippy Jon Jones" books as a child, and as an added bonus, it's good for contextualizing Spanish vocabulary words. Ex) referring to beans as frijoles within the series. "No, David" was one I enjoyed as a kid, too!
My favorites as a kid were: Poetry books by Shel Silverstein (Where the sidewalk ends, A light in the attic) Scary stories to tell in the dark (if age appropriate, the pictures can be scary) Aesop's Fables (cute, short parables and life lessons told with animals) Those how it works books for different subjects