Once upon a time there was a bat–a little light
brown bat, the color of coffee with cream in it.
In this quiet little book, a bat-poet strives to develop and share his art and to connect with others. It is soft, beautiful, cozy, and just right for reading before bed.
Author: Randall Jarrell
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
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Posted in Chapter Books
Tagged Animals, bedtime, fable, Maurice Sendak, New York Times Best Illustrated Book, Randall Jarrell, The Bat-Poet
Abraham Lincoln was a doting, devoted, and devastated father. This work of historical fiction focuses on his relationship with two of his four sons. Willie narrates the first half of the book (this narration is partially based on a 200-word fragment by the historical Willie; all of the events in the book are historically accurate). When Willie dies at age eleven, partway through his father’s term of office, the narration is taken over by his younger brother, Tad. (The Lincolns had already lost another son, Eddie, at the age of three, while Lincoln was practicing law in Springfield, Illinois.) The book ends as the Civil War ends, before Lincoln’s assassination. (The book does not go on to note that Tad outlived his father, but died at age eighteen and the Lincolns’ only surviving son, the one Lincoln had the most distant relationship with, then arranged to have his mother committed to a psychiatric hospital.)
While this is clearly not the happiest of stories, Lincoln loved his wife and their boys very much and his (over?) indulgence of his boys and joy in their company make this a very accessible, warm book. It is memorable too; my oldest drew Lincoln (complete with this stovepipe hat and beard) and one of his sons in response to an end-of-the-school-year question, along with the following explanation: “My favorite social studies is Aedrham Lingkne. Cus he is vary nice to his cids and evry oun eles!”
Author: Rosemary Wells
Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
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Posted in Chapter Books, Non-fiction
Tagged Abraham Lincoln, Civil Rights, History, Lincoln and His Boys, P.J. Lynch, President, Rosemary Wells, USA
This classic is one of the very best books to read aloud to children. (I’ve been known to read it to babies.) Our edition has gently colorized pictures that gild the lily a bit but please the boys. It called the Signature Edition and is out of print but fairly simple to find.
We also enjoy the (much less beautiful) animated movie now and then (mostly for the songs).
Author: E.B. White
Illustrator: Garth Williams, with watercoloring by Rosemary Wells
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Posted in Chapter Books
Tagged Animals, Charlotte's Web, E.B. White, fable, farm, food, Garth Williams, I read this as a kid, Newbery Honor Book, out of print, Rosemary Wells, USA
Currently, we are completely infatuated with wombats. Diary of a Wombat was our gateway story; now we cannot get enough of those charming, stubborn marsupials. This nonfiction follow-up to Diary has lots of information (quite straightforward and unblushing information–if you are uncomfortable reading about bums and scat, this will not be the book for you), lists (e.g., “How to Find a Wombat in the Bush”), a glossary of Australian terms (e.g., “bush” means “a wilderness area”), quizzes (e.g., “Are You a Wombat?”), real-life stories (the author has actively lived among wombats for more than 30 years), and charming illustrations. In case it isn’t already clear, this book is very educational and very, very funny.
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
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Posted in Chapter Books, Non-fiction
Tagged Animals, Australia, Bruce Whatley, Diary of a Wombat, How to Scratch a Wombat, Jackie French, science
I’m not going to pretend this book needs an introduction. I read it on my honeymoon and now I’ve read it to my six year old. I loved it then. He loves it now.
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary Grandpre
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Posted in Chapter Books
Tagged Animals, birthday, England, food, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling, knitting, Mary Grandpre, school, series
A perfect tall tale of daring and dairy. This book may (almost literally) have everything. Among other things, there are aliens, dads, dinosaurs, flying saucers, hot air balloons, pirates, ponies, piranhas, space time paradoxes, time machines, vampires, volcanoes, and (fortunately) the milk. An effortless read aloud and an absolute hoot.
Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Skottie Young
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Posted in Chapter Books
Tagged aliens, Animals, Fortunately the Milk, Machines, Neil Gaiman, pirates, science fiction, Skottie Young, space time paradoxes, Tall Tale, vampires, volcanoes
This may be the perfect read-aloud chapter book. It is terribly funny. There are lots of pictures and they are great (nothing against Quentin Blake, but I suggest sticking with the original illustrator). The characters are a hoot. The candy creativity is off the charts. The author is beautifully off his rocker.
But the best part of all is simply reading it aloud. I had never realized how the language sings.
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Joseph Schindelman
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Posted in Chapter Books
Tagged Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, food, I read this as a kid, If I Built a Car, Joseph Schindelman, Machines, Quentin Blake, Roald Dahl