Caroline Adderson's "Bruno for Real" a Hilarious Book for Young Readers

Title: Bruno for Real (sequel to I, Bruno)
Author: Caroline Adderson
Age range: 7 to 9
Rating: 5 out of 5 hiccups

Seven-year-old Bruno faces everyday challenges, from hiccups to a teacher who is always sneaking in math problems, in his own unique way. 

What kids will love:

• Bruno's imaginative take on life
• Following along with Bruno's relatable adventures (who hasn't had the hiccups?) 
• The funny drawings (e.g. Bruno being held upside down to try to cure his hiccups). 

What parents will love:

• Seeing their own child in Bruno

Five Summer Reads for Early Readers

Looking for  summer reads to encourage your early reader?

Here are some suggestions.  What books do you suggest?


1.Pete the Cat's Train Trip (My First I Can Read) - I just can't get enough of Pete the Cat!




2.Frog and Toad Quartet: The Complete Collection - an old favourite.



3.Pinkalicious: Fairy House




4.Amelia Bedelia Makes a Friend - a new twist on an old favourite.

 
5.
Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream

Flat Stanley Stories Won't Fall Flat for Early Readers

Series: Flat Stanley
Author:  Jeff Brown
Age range: 6 to 10
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 Flat Stanleys

After a bulletin board falls on him, Stanley becomes flat!  But being flat has its advantages, and in each story, Flat Stanley saves the day.

What kids will love:

• imagining what they could do if they were flat like Stanley
• the stories are easy to read
• the amusing illustrations
• making their own Flat Stanley

Personal favourite:  Flat Stanley at Bat (I Can Read Book 2)

Classroom hamsters Max & Mo are the perfect early readers for "crafty" kids

Series:  Max & Mo
Author:  Patricia Lakin
Age range: 4 to 7 
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 hamster wheels*

Max and Mo are two hamsters that are classroom pets.  In each book, when the kids are working on an activity, the hamsters are eager to try it too.

What kids will love:

• the cute illustrations
• the theme of friendship 
• the short sentences help build confidence for early readers
• the tie-in craft activity in the back of each book

Personal favourite:  Max & Mo's Halloween Surprise (Ready-to-Reads)


 

*In the books the two hamsters share a cage, which is the only thing I didn't like.  Many breeds of hamsters (e.g. Syrian) are territorial and will fight if put in the same cage together.

It's no Mystery why Young Cam Jansen Series Appeals to Reluctant Readers

Series: Young Cam Jansen
Author: David A. Adler
Ages:  6 - 8

Rating:  5 out of 5 camera clicks

Cam Jansen has a photographic memory that she uses to solve everyday mysteries, such locating a classmate's missing tooth.

What kids will love:

• Trying to see if they can solve the mystery.
• Familiar settings and situations (e.g. classroom, school trip, outing with friends).
• Testing their own memory skills with the quiz in each book.  
• The colourful illustrations featuring Cam and her friends, family and teachers.   

Parents will love:

• The stories appeal to both genders.   
• Trying to solve the mystery too!

Favourite tile: Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game

Searching high and low for a hi-lo book for a child in grades 1 to 3?

A hi-lo book has a "high interest" subject matter, but a is at "low reading level."

In other words, it is the perfect type of book for a reluctant reader, who doesn't want to read "baby books" but struggles with reading books aimed at their age level.

Hi-low books typically have shorter sentences, a smaller page count, more illustrations and more action than other books aimed at the same age range.

Some hi-lo books my son enjoys:

Fly Guy series 

I admit there are times "Fly Guy" grosses me out a bit, but my son loves Tedd Arnold's books and no doubt wishes he had his own pet fly who knew how to say his name. His favourite is Fly Guy and Frankenfly.



Fox at School (Penguin Young Readers, L3)

There is a whole series of Fox stories by Edward Marshall to enjoy.  Each book has three separate stories in it, which helps your child feel a sense of accomplishment after reading each one.



The Notebook of Doom #1: Rise of the Balloon Goons

This series by Troy Cummings is about a boy and his friends who solve monster mysteries using the Notebook of Doom (top-secret monster info) to help them. 





Please share your hi-lo book recommendations.