1st Grade Reads
Our Recommendations
![Book cover for I Have A Question, showing a child looking nervous with one hand raised while other children look on.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/I-Have-a-Question.jpeg)
I Have a Question
For Stevie, speaking up in class can be scary. So, when Ms. Gail asks, 'Are there any questions?' Stevie looks around the classroom, hoping someone will raise their hand. But no one does. No one has a single question. Except Stevie. 'I can’t ask, can I? If I do, I know just what will happen,' Stevie thinks, beginning a journey of worried imagination. Everyone will certainly laugh, they'll think the question is silly, they'll think Stevie is silly. But Stevie has to know. Stevie has to ask.
Author: Andrew Arnold
Call Number: E ARN
![Book cover for This Book Is Not For You, showing a cat, two children, and a robot - each holding a book.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/this-book-is-not-for-you.jpeg)
This Book is Not for You!
When the bookmobile librarian refuses to lend Stanley the story he wants, he learns the importance of advocating for the book of his choosing, and in doing so teaches the librarian the virtue in allowing everyone to select the stories they enjoy.
Author: Shannon Hale
Call Number: E HAL
![Book cover for Wake Me Up In 20 Coconuts! showing colorful cartoon characters, flowers, trees, and a house.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wake-me-up-in-20-coconuts.jpeg)
Wake Me Up in 20 Coconuts!
Two quirky characters living in an apartment building come together in this picture book that reinforces the importance of asking questions in order to better understand each other and the world around them.
Author: Laurie Keller
Call Number: E KEL
![Book cover for Blacket, showing two animals huddled underneath a blanket, heads together.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/blanket.jpeg)
Blanket
A quiet, heartfelt story about those times when you just want to hide under a blanket -- and how much it can mean to have a friend who will be there to keep you company
Author: Ruth Ohi
Call Number: E OHI
![Book cover for Sometimes, showing two children happily jumping in puddles, one holding an umbrella.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Sometimes.jpeg)
Sometimes: A Full Day of Feelings
Your body’s full of feelings—like the tide, they ebb and flow. Sometimes they lift you high, and sometimes they bring you low. This heartwarming introduction to feelings follows a brother and sister as they navigate the highs and lows of being a kid. Lush illustrations alongside spare text depict everyday scenes kids will identify with. This gentle story in pictures offers a simple guide to life and the big feelings we can have in just one day, from fear to bravery, anger to peace.
Author: Stephanie Stansbie
Call Number: E STA (Concept Collection)
![Book cover for Tofu Takes Time, showing an older person and a younger person sitting at a table with chopsticks.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/tofu-takes-time.jpeg)
Tofu Takes Time
Lin makes tofu with her grandma and discovers that patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family.
Author: Helen H. Wu
Call Number: E WU
![Book cover for Get A Hit, Mo! showing a child holding a baseball bat, watching as a baseball passes over home plate.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/get-a-hit-mo.jpeg)
Mo Jackson Series
For "Get A Hit, Mo": Mo Jackson is excited for his baseball game, but Coach Marie tells him he is batting last and playing right field, again. Will Mo ever get a hit?
Author: David A. Adler
Call Number: BEGINNING TO READ ADL
![Book cover for I Am Kind, showing a child standing outside in the rain, holding an umbrella over an orange cat.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/I-am-Kind.jpeg)
I Am Kind: A Positive Power Story
Looking to follow in her mother's footsteps, a young girl shares all the ways her thoughtfulness and kindness help her friends, family, and community.
Author: Suzy Capozzi
Call Number: BEGINNING TO READ CAP
![Book cover for I Did It! A creature happily rides a bike while other creatures hang from above and behind.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/I-did-it.jpeg)
I Did It!
A girl tries and tries again to learn to ride a bicycle and all her friends provide words of encouragement.
Author: Michael Emberley
Call Number: BEGINNING TO READ EMB
![Book cover for Dog Can Hide, showing a dog hiding in an empty log, while a cat searches for it and a frog looks on.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Dog-can-Hide.jpeg)
Dog Can Hide
Illustrations and simple text relate how Dog and Frog and Cat play hide and seek.
Author: Laura Gehl
Call Number: BEGINNING TO READ GEH
![Book cover for See the Cat, showing a standing dog looking up at the book title and saying,](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/see-the-cat.jpeg)
See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog
What happens when the book gets it wrong? Max is not a cat-- Max is a dog! But much to his dismay, this book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a dog?
Author: David LaRochelle
Call Number: BEGINNING TO READ LAR
![Book cover for Reina Ramos Works It Out! showing a child standing in front of a shelf while pointing up with one hand.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Reina-Ramos-works-it-out.jpeg)
Reina Ramos Works it Out!
Reina Ramos is excited about dressing up as Frida Kahlo for the class wax museum. Frida was a strong person like her mami and abuela--plus Reina has the perfect headband for the costume! But when her best friend Nora picks Frida first, Reina doesn't know what to do. Who will she dress up as now?
Author: Emma Otheguy
Call Number: BEGINNING TO READ OTH
![Book cover for Slow, Slow, Sloths, showing the hands of a person holding a small sloth.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/slow-slow-sloths.jpeg)
Slow, Slow Sloths
A basic introduction to the sleepy, slow-moving mammal discusses the two types of sloths and their physical characteristics, habitat, behaviors, and diet.
Author: Bonnie Bader
Call Number: BEGINNING TO READ J599.313 BAD
![Book cover for In My World, showing a child with a cape and shield climbing up a hill toward what looks like a dragon.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/in-my-world.jpg)
In My World
With a little help from each of us, children with autism can fulfill their dreams. A simple, heartfelt story that follows the life of a child through his imagination as he seeks to be loved for his strengths and abilities, and looks forward to all the things he will one day be able to do.
Author: Jillian Ma
Call Number: ASC E MA
![Book cover for Rabbit's Bad Habits, showing a rabbit and bear walking together in a snowy wooded area.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Rabbits-Bad-Habits.jpeg)
Rabbit and Bear series
For "Rabbit's Bad Habits": When Bear wakes up early from her hibernation, she decides to build a snowman. Her grumpy neighbor, Rabbit, decides to build an even better one. Rabbit & Bear: Rabbits Bad Habits is full of laugh-out-loud moments and chronicles the forming of an unlikely friendship.
Author: Julian Gough
Call Number: I FICTION GOU
![Book cover for Rise Of The Earth Dragon, showing a child and a dragon looking at each other with happy expressions.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Rise-of-the-Earth-Dragon.jpeg)
Dragon Masters series
For "Rise of the Earth Dragon": Eight-year-old Drake is snatched up by the King's soldiers and taken to the castle where he is told by the wizard Griffith that he has been chosen to be a Dragon Master like Ana, Rori, and Bo--and his first task will be to discover whether his dragon, Worm, has any special powers.
Author: Tracey West
Call Number: I FICTION WES
![Book cover for Zoey and Sassafras, showing a child wearing goggles on their head, with a cat, dragon, and books nearby.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/zoey.jpg)
Zoey and Sassafras series
Summary for the first book in the series, "Dragons and Marshmallows": A girl, Zoey, and her cat, Sassafras, use science experiments to help a dragon with a problem.
Author: Asia Citro
Call Number: J FICTION CIT
![Book cover for Sydney & Taylor, showing a skunk and a hedgehog wearing neckties and sunglasses walking together outside.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Sydney-and-Taylor.jpeg)
Sydney and Taylor series
Sydney is a skunk and Taylor is a hedgehog, but no matter how odd the pairing may seem, their friendship comes naturally. They live happily in their cozy burrow under Miss Nancy's potting shed . . . until the day Taylor gets his Big Idea to go see the Whole Wide World. From mountains taller than a hundred hedgehogs, valleys wider than a thousand skunks, to the dangers that lie in the human world, Sydney and Taylor wanted to see it all. With a map and a dream, they bravely set off, soon discovering that the world is much bigger than they realized. Charming full-color illustrations and a laugh-out-loud story make this chapter book perfect for fans of the Mercy Watson and Owl Diaries series.
Author: Jacqueline Davies
Call Number: J FICTION DAV
![Book cover for Blue, Barry & Pancakes, showing a big bunny hugging a smiling green frog and purple snake.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/blue-barry-pancakes.jpeg)
Blue, Barry, and Pancakes series
From book 1 in the series: One day, when the gang goes to the beach, Barry and Pancakes lose Blue's beloved beach ball. They come up with a plan to get it back, but things go way off course. Now, these pals will have to go inside a giant whale's stomach, crash a pool party on an alien spaceship, and survive Duckzilla's volcanic birthday bash if they ever hope to see Blue's beach ball again!
Author: Dan Abdo
Call Number: I FICTION ABD (Graphic Novel)
![Book cover for Puppy Problems, showing a dog with toilet paper in its mouth and a dog and cat tied up with toilet paper.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Puppy-Problems.jpeg)
Puppy Problems
Crackers is a rescue dog who's a bit on the nervous side, but pretty comfy at home with Butter, a very plump cat who--like all cats--is all about himself. The two pets have a good life: big backyard, nice couch, good eats, and an owner who goes to work every day so they can pretty much do what they want. Enter Peanut, a brand-new puppy with big floppy ears, unabashed energy, and no appreciation for the quiet life. The little dog is a chowhound who dips into everybody's food bowl. He drools, he chews up stuff, he doesn't get how stairs work, and he's afraid of the dark. Yowl! Not to mention he's hogging their owner's lap. Even the squirrels in the yard are laughing at this goofy little canine. Butter and Crackers have had it! This puppy has to go! But when the backyard gate is left open (the cat's idea, of course!) and Peanut wanders out and gets lost, the older animals remember what it was like to be alone--and lonely. Butter and Crackers to the rescue!
Author: Paige Braddock
Call Number: J FICTION BRA (Graphic Novel)
![Book cover for Fox + Chick, showing a smiling fox standing in front of a waving yellow chick.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fox-chick.jpg)
Fox and Chick series
Fox and Chick are unlikely friends, but somehow they seem to get along together, even though Fox is calm and thoughtful, and Chick is hyperactive and flighty.
Author: Sergio Ruzzier
Call Number: J FICTION RUZ (Graphic Novel)
![Book cover for I Am Thinking My Life, showing a smiling person with closed eyes and colorful butterflies surrounding.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/i-am-thinking-my-life.jpeg)
I Am Thinking My Life
A children's book that inspires dreams, kindles hopes, and empowers you to believe in yourself. permeate your children's minds and their actions with positivity
Author: Allysun Atwater
Call Number: J155.419 ATW
![Book cover for Most People, showing the several people with a variety features and expressions crowded close together.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Most-People.jpeg)
Most People
Looks at the goodness of most people, pointing out how many more people there are in the world who would like to help others than would like to hurt them, and even most of those who do bad things can change.
Author: Michael Leannah
Call Number: J170 LEA
![Book cover for A Tree Is Nice, showing a child watering a small tree, and a larger nearby tree with a cat on a branch.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/A-tree-is-nice.jpeg)
A Tree is Nice
This Caldecott-winning book briefly describes the value of a tree.
Author: Janice May Udry
Call Number: J582.16 UDR
![Book cover for Roar-chestra! showing a conductor standing among large instrument cases in the shapes of various animals.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Roar-chestra.jpeg)
ROAR-chestra! A Wild Story of Musical Words
The conductor walks onto the stage, and the animal orchestra awaits his cue. ALLEGRO! Quickly, swiftly--race, run, fly! ADAGIO! Slowly, smoothly--a steady pace. STACCATO! Popping, hopping, bouncing, bounding. The animals move and dance and bend to the music--racing and gliding and twirling--until the final soft chords...PIANISSIMO! Quietly, softly--sleep, dream... This energetic and spirited interpretation of the universal musical terms shows the power that music can have on our bodies and our emotions, and gives kids the chance to get up and move!
Author: Robert Heidbreder
Call Number: J780 HEI
![Book cover for Between The Lines, showing a person looking out of the book while wearing a black suit and bowtie.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Between-the-lines.jpeg)
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery
Looks at the life and career of Ernie Barnes, a football star who became an influential painter.
Author: Sandra Neil Wallace
Call Number: J BIO BARNES
![Book cover for Try It! showing a variety of hands holding different foods.](https://btpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Try-It.jpeg)
Try It! How Frieda Caplan changed the way we eat
A picture book biography of Frieda Caplan, the produce pioneer who changed the way Americans eat by introducing exciting new fruits and vegetables, from baby carrots to blood oranges to kiwis.
Author: Mara Rockliff
Call Number: J BIO CAPLAN