(B) Ages 4-8

*The Imagination Station (Series) by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker

More than simply a "Christian version" of the popular Magic Treehouse books, the Imagination Station books are a solid chapter book time travel series. Enjoy this post from ...
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Zita the Spacegirl Series by Ben Hatke

*Zita the Spacegirl Series by Ben Hatke

Zita the Spacegirl and her intrepid friends battle the forces of evil in extra terrestrial dimensions in this lively graphic novel series. a review from ...
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40 Books for Dads to Read to Their Kids

Strong father figures, adventures, humor, and general fun await! 40 books for DADS to read to their kids: fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction. Humor, adventure, ...
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Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton

A delightful picture book biography about a boy who loved to tinker and grew up to work on rockets and invent America's favorite water gun! ...
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The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell and Catalina Echeverri

A childlike and joyful retelling of the Christmas promise we have in Christ, perfect for the young at heart. This title is part of our ...
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The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda

The Christmas story "pops" in this beautifully crafted pop-up book. This title is one of our Winter Book Fair 2016 Picks! The Christmas Story by Robert ...
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*Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan

Likeable characters and a gently-humorous style introduces early-elementary readers to the rewards of hard work and free enterprise. *Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan ...
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*Some Writer! by Melissa Sweet

A wonderfully engaging biography of E. B. White for children: full of photographs, collage-style art, and interesting details. *Some Writer! The Story of E. B. ...
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2016 Winter Book Fair: Books For Everyone!

2016 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone On Your Christmas List! We have chosen the best of the best, our personal favorites, and plenty of great ...
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Pastor, Blogger, Author, Editor: More Church History Recommendations for the Whole Family!

We've spent all month reading and learning about church history. It's been such a rich study with interviews and book reviews, but we are not ...
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*Miracle Man by John Hendrix

A new “life of Jesus” picture book presents the Son of God as compelling and dynamic in word and deed. *Miracle Man: the Story of ...
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Heroes of the Faith Series by Sinclair Ferguson

Three imaginative picture book biographies of early church heroes. Heroes of the Faith Series by Sinclair Ferguson. Banner of Truth Books. Ignatius of Antioch: The ...
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*Lily: The Girl Who Could See by Sally Oxley and Tim Ladwig.

A beautifully illustrated picture book biography about a brave woman artist-turned-missionary to the Arab world. *Lily: The Girl Who Could See by Sally Oxley and ...
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*The One O’Clock Miracle: A True Story About Trusting the Words of Jesus by Alison Mitchell

Humorous illustrations enliven this picture book that retells the story of Jesus healing a father's son. *The One O’Clock Miracle: A True Story About Trusting the ...
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Winnie-the-Pooh: Two True Stories

Two picture books about the real Winnie-the-Pooh that both make delightful reading! *Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick and ...
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*Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines by Nancy Drummond

Read the remarkable story of a man who helped smuggle millions of Bibles into restricted countries in this middle grades biography. Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy ...
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Brother Andrew: Taking Bibles to the World by Renee Taft Meloche

Brother Andrew's life comes alive for young readers through the rhyming text in this picture book. Brother Andrew: Taking Bibles to the World (Heroes for ...
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*The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton and Catalina Echeverri

This picture book beautifully brings the creation-fall-redemption story to life!  *The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross: the True Story of Why Jesus Died and ...
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Will’s Words by Jane Sutcliffe and John Shelley

A casual weaving together of Will's words with our own shows just how much we owe to the bard in this cleverly illustrated picture book. ...
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*Freedom on Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated R. Gregory Christie

Congo Square held a unique place in the slavery experience and holds a special reminder for Christians as we all look forward to Sunday! *Freedom ...
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City Atlas: Travel the world with 30 City Maps by Georgia Cherry

Cities rather than nations are the focus of this unique, colorful, and lavishly-illustrated oversize volume for elementary grades. City Atlas: Travel the World with 30 ...
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Our 9/11 Book List

If you've been with us for the last few months you doubtless saw Betsy's reviews of two recent, highly-regarded middle-grade novels about the worst foreign attack ...
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*The Ology by Marty Machowski

In The Ology, children and families can access deep Biblical truths, carefully explained and gorgeously illustrated.   The Ology by Marty Machowski, illustrations by Andy ...
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*God’s Design by Sally Michael and Gary Steward

Sally Michael's newest Making Him Known family devotional delicately handles roles of men and women, sexuality, and gender issues in a manner that invites whole ...
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Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal Allen

Mya Tibbs is the perky, enthusiastic narrator of this family- and school-based series for advanced chapter-book readers. Spirit Week Showdown (Magnificent Myra Tibbs #1) by ...
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Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson

Inspired by true events, this is the story of a St. Louis reverend who moved his school off shore to neutral waters when the law made ...
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The Kids’ Book of Simple Machines by Kelly Doudna

A perfect instruction manual for young tinkerers who want to know how things work and how to leverage the six simple machines to build cool ...
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The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments by Miller, Homer, and Harrington

There's no excuse to be bored with this book lying around: chemistry, physics, the natural world, and even the human body are just a page ...
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A Complicated Case by Ulf Nilsson

A funny, chapter book mystery for newly independent readers! A Complicated Case (Detective Gordon) by Ulf Nilsson and illustrated by Gittee Spee. Gecko Press, 2016. ...
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Emma and Julia Love Ballet by Barbara McClintock

Emma, a young ballet student, and Julia, a professional dancer, simultaneously dance their way through a typical day in this sweet picture book. Emma and ...
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*The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung

A vibrantly illustrated retelling of the story of the Bible: Jesus's redemption of God's people. *The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the ...
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*When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano

Short, free verse poems as journal entries over the course of a year capture the feel of changing seasons in this well-illustrated book for elementary ...
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This Is My Home, This Is My School by Jonathan Bean

A boy shares an honest, somewhat chaotic day (or perhaps a week!) in the life of homeschooling. This Is My Home, This Is My School ...
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School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex

The back-to-school narrative is flipped on its head in this colorful picture book as School, himself, is the main character! School’s First Day of School ...
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Science Experiments You Can Eat by Vicki Cobb

Kids will love getting to eat their science projects in this clever, well organized book all about science. Science Experiments You Can Eat, Revised and ...
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*Frank and Lucky Get Schooled by Lynn Rae Perkins

Frank and Lucky’s close friendship leads them into countless adventures in learning, where “school subjects” never see the inside of a classroom. *Frank and Lucky ...
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*Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole

Can you spot the cat with the spot in this cleverly illustrated black-and-white wordless picture book? *Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole. Little Simon, 2016. ...
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Back-to-School Backpack List (2016)

Just in time for the start of a new school year with new pencils, new protractors, new textbooks: our Back-to-School Backpack Booklist! As is our ...
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Cooking Up Fun: ‘Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes’

  Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Puffin, 1997. 32 pages. Reading Level: Ages 8-10 Recommended For: all ages ...
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The BFG by Roald Dahl

After the BFG snatches Sophie from her orphanage, she learns a lot about giants and the BFG makes a new friend in this quirky, British romp. ...
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Retro Reads: Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

In this British children's classic, the brave Swallows (four siblings) are at war with the piratical Amazons (two sisters) in one glorious summer of sailing, ...
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The Pirate Jamboree

The Pirate Jamboree by Mark Teague. Orchard Books, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Bottom Line: The neighborhood kids are ...
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Captain Jack and the Pirates by Peter Bentley and Helen Oxenbury

Captain Jack and the Pirates by Peter Bentley and Helen Oxenbury. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8Recommended ...
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Charley Harper’s Book of Colors by Zoe Burke and Charley Harper

Charley Harper’s Book of Colors by Zoe Burke, illustrated by Charley Harper. Pomegranate Kids, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Board books Recommended for: Ages 0-4 ...
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one big pair of underwear cover

3 Irresistible Picture Books for Boys

Pop quiz: What’s the funniest word in the English language? What competition is the fiercest? Do machines that are massive and gloriously noisy EVER have ...
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Three Recent Board Books to Share With Little Ones

Little ones need access to plenty of sturdy board books so they can participate in family read-aloud gatherings. Here are three titles to pick up ...
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*Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss

*Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. Random House, 1949. 56 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Bartholomew and the ...
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Have an Awesome Thanksgiving

In honor of this week's holiday, a book review post from a few years back: *Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday, by ...
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Flying Ponies and Dump Trucks

Do little kids love fantasy? NPR recently reported on a study done by three academic psychologists on the subject of children and fiction. They asked ...
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Happy 100th Birthday, Jean Fritz!

Prolific author Jean Fritz turns 100 today! During her long life, she has written numerous books--mostly biographies--for children. Before picture book biographies were so prevalent, ...
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chocolate moose for dinner, book cover

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner by Fred Gwynne

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner is a whimsical, unique classic that invites readers to play with words as it explores idioms. A Chocolate Moose for ...
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Story Tea: Picture Books of the Year (+printable)

  World magazine has just announced their Children's Books of the Year! Both the Children's Book of the Year and the Picture Book of the ...
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Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley

Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Buckley, a young ...
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Ranger in Time series by Kate Messner

Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail and Danger in Ancient Rome by Kate Messner. Scholastic, 2015. About 125 pages, plus author note. Reading ...
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*Water is Water by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin

*Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture ...
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A+ Attitude (Morgan Love Series) by Stephanie Perry Moore

A+ Attitude (Morgan Love Series) by Stephanie Perry Moore

A+ Attitude (Morgan Love Series #1) by Stephanie Perry Moore. Lift Every Voice Books (a Moody Imprint), 2011. 144 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages ...
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*The Golden Plate by Bernadette Watts

The Golden Plate is a picture book about Isobel, who struggles to hide her sin, and the relief of confession in restoring her friendship with ...
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The Founding Fathers! by Jonah Winter

The Founding Fathers! Those Horse-Ridin',Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun Totin' Gentlemen Who Started America, by Jonah Winter, Illustration by Barry Blitt. Atheneum, 2015. 40 pages Reading Level: ...
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*Gingerbread for Liberty! by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

*Gingerbread for Liberty! How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch. HMH Books, 2015. 32 ...
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*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2009. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All Ages Stunning illustrations, a vast ...
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*The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney

*The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Vibrant, colorful ...
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tortoise and hare by jerry pinkney

The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney

The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2013. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All Ages Slow and ...
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Squelch Not the Series!

If you recognize names such as Jack and Annie or Patrick and Beth, know that mysteries can be ordered A to Z, or believe in ...
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*Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith

*Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith. Groundwood Books, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 A little ...
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cover of Yard Sale

Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Candlewick, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-10 Yard sales: ...
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Pilipinto’s Happiness by Valerie Elliot Shepard

*This post is revisited from the archives in honor of Elisabeth Elliot's passing into glory. Pilipinto's Happiness: The Jungle Childhood of Valerie Elliot, by Valerie ...
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cover of If You Plant a Seed

*If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

*If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson. Blazer + Bray, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 Recommended For: Ages 0-8 If you plant a ...
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cover of mr. squirrel and the moon

*Mr. Squirrel and the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser

Mr. Squirrel and the Moon is a delight for the ears and the eyes. This picture book is highly recommended! *Mr. Squirrel and the Moon ...
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*Mikis and the Donkey by Bibi Dumon Tak

*Mikis and the Donkey by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014. 89 pages Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages ...
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ling and ting cover

Ling and Ting books by Grace Lin

A delightful early reader series about Asian American twins, Ling and Ting. Ling and Ting books by Grace Lin. LB Kids, 2011 (and to the ...
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*Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell

*Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell. Candlewick, 2014. 50 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Age 4-8 Rabbit’s friend Robot ...
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Good Night, Knight by Betsy Lewin

Good Night, Knight by Betsy Lewin. Holiday House, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Knight and his faithful ...
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A Pet for Fly Guy (Fly Guy Series) by Tedd Arnold

A Pet for Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold. Orchard Books, 2014. 32 pages.  Reading Level: Early Reader, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8, especially boys ...
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cover of The Dragon and the Garden

The Dragon and the Garden by N. D. Wilson and illustrated by Peter Bentley

The Dragon and the Garden (The Old Stories) by N. D. Wilson and illustrated by Peter Bentley. Canon Press, 2007. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture book, ...
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cover of Ballet Cat

Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea

Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea. Disney-Hyperion, 2015. 56 pages. Reading Level: Easy Reader, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Shea, creator ...
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cover of The Cowboy

The Cowboy by Hildegard Muller

The Cowboy (I Like to Read Series) by Hildegard Muller. Holiday House, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: new readers, ages ...
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Owl Boy by Brian Schatell

Owl Boy by Brian Schatell. Holiday House, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Al is an owl fanatic. ...
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One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul and Elizabeth Zunon

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Millbrook, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: ...
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cover of Time Together

Time Together: Me and Grandpa by Maria Catherine, illustrated by Pascal Campion

Time Together: Me and Grandpa by Maria Catherine, illustrated by Pascal Campion. Picture Window Books, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 0-4) Recommended ...
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Avengers: Age of Ultron Resources! (+ Printable)

  Emily reviewed Avengers: Age of Ultron at Worldmag.com.  If you'll click "Listen" at the bottom of that post, you can also hear hints from ...
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cover of Queen of the Diamond

Queen of the Diamond by Emily Arnold McCully

Queen of the Diamond: The Lizzie Murphy Story by Emily Arnold McCully. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 8-10Recommended for: ...
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Over the Hills and Far Away collected by Elizabeth Hammill, illustrated by various artists

Over the Hills and Far Away: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Elizabeth Hammill, illustrated by various artists. Candlewick, 2015. 160 pages. Reading Level: Picture ...
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cover of New Shoes

New Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer, illustrated by Eric Velasquez

New Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer, illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Holiday House, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 ...
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cover of Swing Sisters

Swing Sisters by Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm by Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Holiday House, 2015. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages ...
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Lucky Strike by Bobby Pyron

Lucky Strike by Bobby Pyron. Scholastic (Arthur Levine), 2015. 263 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Bottom Line: A “lucky” ...
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A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

A Snicker of Magic,by Natalie Lloyd. Scholastic, 2014, 311 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Bottom Line: A Snicker of ...
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Crinkle, Crackle, Crack: It’s Spring! by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by John Shelley

Crinkle, Crackle, Crack: It’s Spring! by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by John Shelley. Holiday House, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 A ...
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cover of *Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door

*Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door by Hilary McKay

*Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door by Hilary McKay, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman and Co., 2014. 91 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-8 ...
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cover of The House That's Your Home

The House That’s Your Home by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jane Dyer

The House That's Your Home by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jane Dyer. Schwartz and Wade, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 0-8) Recommended for: ages ...
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cover of The Spider

The Spider (Disgusting Creatures) by Elise Gravel

The Spider (Disgusting Creatures) by Elise Gravel. Tundra Books, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 Children are fascinated by ...
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A Castle Full of Cats by Ruth Sanderson

A Castle Full of Cats by Ruth Sanderson. Random House, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8   Once upon a time a king ...
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cover of Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever

Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile. Candlewick, 2013. 80 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-10 ...
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cover of Finding Spring

Finding Spring by Carin Berger

Finding Spring by Carin Berger. Greenwillow, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-8 Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Maurice the bear just wants to find ...
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The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee

*The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee. Beach Lane Books, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 A sour-faced farmer works in ...
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cover of This Book Just Ate My Dog

This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne

This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne. Henry Holt and Co., 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 ...
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Bible Review: The Action Bible ESV

The Action Bible Study Bible ESV, edited by Catherine deVries, illustrated by Sergio Cariello. David C. Cook, 2015. 1248 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages ...
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Bible Review: God’s Word for Boys (and Girls)

God’s Word for Boys and God’s Word for Girls. Larry Richards, general editor. Baker, 2014 (latest edition), 1713 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 ...
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*Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson

*Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2015. 32 Pages. Reading Level: ...
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cover of Jasper John Dooley

Jasper John Dooley: You’re in Trouble! by Caroline Adderson

Jasper John Dooley: You're in Trouble! by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Ben Clanton. Kids Can Press, 2015. 124 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages ...
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cover of Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind

Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind by Caroline Adderson

Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Ben Clanton. Kids Can Press, 2011. 132 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Books, ages 4-8 Recommended ...
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