Begining Chapterbooks for New Readers

Seldom does an I Can Read book have such appeal as this fresh and funny, nuanced story of friendship told in easy and enticing rhyme. You not only want to read it, you want to read it again. For kindergarten to second grade. A few older, classic suggestions for brand-new readers: Hi Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold; Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel; Hot Dog by Molly Coxe; Duck and Goose by Jean Craighead George; and My Brother, Ant by Betsy Byars (with Caldecott winner Marc Simont’s illustrations). And for a perfect collection of stories for beginning readers, don’t miss Ready…Set…Read by Joanna Cole. —GA

An Early Reader Series Debut

Why is the book Bink & Gollie so startling? We can readily accept Arnold Lobel’s genius. In his Frog & Toad books, each animal lives alone, independent yet buoyed by friendship. In children’s books we are comforted by anthropomorphism. Stripped of their animal selves, Frog and Toad are you and me. Bink and Gollie. Yet it is startling. Tall, cool Gollie lives alone in retro ’60s modernity. Short, ruffled Bink lives in a small cottage. Each child is independent, smart, funny, stubborn, and extremely likeable.
“Hello, Gollie,” said Bink.
“Do I smell pancakes?”
“You do not,” said Gollie.
“Will I smell pancakes?” said Bink.
It’s been a very long time since someone has written an easy reader about friendship as charming and profound as Frog & Toad. This is it. —GA