Watching someone learn to read is quite amazing. Putting letters together to form words is a formidable feat. Reading is agift for life...it opens so many doors. Liam is now six and at the point where he is actually sounding out words on his own all day and everywhere. He's no longer just recoginizing words he's reading them...and making connections. Here are some of the picks for kids ages 6-9 from Oprah's book club list. I added some of our most loved books at the end too, enjoy...
Kids Reading List: 6–9 Years
New Releases
Mind Your Manners, B. B. Wolfby Judy Sierra; illustrated by J. Otto Seibold
B.B. Wolf receives a “mysterious envelope” in the mail. It is invitation from Miss Wonderly to the “Annual Storybook Tea”! Should he go? He doesn’t think he likes tea…but will there be cookies? B.B. studies up on etiquette and goes off to the library tea in his best jacket. Can he behave like a gentleman?
Knopf, 2007. ISBN: 9780375835322
B.B. Wolf receives a “mysterious envelope” in the mail. It is invitation from Miss Wonderly to the “Annual Storybook Tea”! Should he go? He doesn’t think he likes tea…but will there be cookies? B.B. studies up on etiquette and goes off to the library tea in his best jacket. Can he behave like a gentleman?
Knopf, 2007. ISBN: 9780375835322
Seibold is one of my favorite children's illustrators. We just read Penguin Dreams last night and Olive My Love and Olive the other Reindeer get lots of trips off our bookshelf at story times.
Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt
After spending years at sea, Jack comes to town to find a new career. Is there any job that is just right for an ex-pirate who is no good at plundering but loves to tell stories?
Michael di Capua Books/Scholastic, 2007. ISBN 9780545004961
Nic Bishop Frogsby Nic Bishop
In the incredible world of frogs, some species camouflage to escape danger, another eats with its eyes and one can even glide through the air! Dazzling photographs and fun facts introduce these amazing amphibians in action.
Scholastic, 2008. ISBN 9780439877558
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian
“The universe is every place, / Including all the e m p t y space.” Poems full of wordplay, rhyme and humor that’s just right for kids accompany eye-catching illustrations in this fascinating introduction to outer space.
Harcourt, 2007. ISBN: 9780152053727
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Littleby Peggy Gifford; photography by Valorie Fisher
On the last day before fourth grade, Moxy Maxwell, usually an avid reader, finds multiple reasons to continue avoiding her assigned summer reading book.
Schwartz & Wade, 2007. ISBN: 9780375839153
Snoring Beauty by Bruce Hale; illustrated by Howard Fine
A fairy tale that’s as twisted as they come, and hilarious to boot. True to the spited fairy, Beebo’s curse, Princess Marge becomes a snoring dragon doomed to sleep until wakened by “a quince.” Yes, a quince, due to the curse-fix of a hard-of-hearing fairy. All ends well and the kingdom whoops it up “with a hey-nonny-nonny and a hot-cha-cha.”
Harcourt, 2008. ISBN: 9780152163143
Just Graceby Charise Mericle Harper
Grace’s humorous attempts to cheer up her neighbor Mrs. Luther leads to a misunderstanding about the woman’s disappearing cat!
Houghton, 2008. ISBN: 9780547014401
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County by Janice Harrington; illustrations by Shelley Jackson
Miss Hen is smart, fast and knows all the tricks. Is that enough to keep her safe from the girl who calls herself the Chicken-Chasing Queen? Dynamic illustrations bring this squawking, pecking, feather-flying battle of wits to a conclusion that works out fine for both girl and bird.
Farrar, 2007. ISBN 9780374312510
Oh, Theodore!: Guinea Pig Poemsby Susan Katz; illustrated by Stacey Schuett
A boy gets a guinea pig for a pet. The boy and his guinea pig, Theodore (so named because he’s soft, fuzzy and brown like a teddy bear), cautiously adjust to each other, and their affection develops. Told in short, easy-to-read poems.
Clarion, 2007. ISBN: 9780618702220
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroadby Ellen Levine; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Henry Brown grew up a slave. After his wife and children are sold off to another master, and with nothing left to lose, Henry is boxed up by the local doctor, an abolitionist, and mailed! After a rough ride, Henry is unboxed—a free man.
Scholastic, 2007. ISBN: 9780439777339
Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Harry Bliss
The ups and downs of a young fly’s life are captured in funny pictures and in her own words, including flying lessons, school lunches and meeting the toughest babysitter ever: “She brought a frog.” Fun facts about flies are mixed in with the jokes and silliness.
HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, 2007. ISBN 9780060001568
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Greatby Gerald Morris; illustrations by Aaron Renier
These adventures of the greatest knight of the Round Table are full of brave deeds and lots of humor. Lancelot rescues maidens and defeats evil knights. He also wins a tournament by accident, tricks an enemy by singing terribly and takes plenty of afternoon naps in this in this version that’s just right for young readers.
Houghton, 2008. ISBN: 9780618777143
Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibsonby Sue Stauffacher; illustrated by Greg Couch
A picture book biography of the tomboy who, given the opportunity to play tennis, not only learned the game but also how to keep her cool and, in 1957, became the first African-American to win at Wimbledon.
Knopf, 2007. ISBN: 9780375834080
Robot Dreamsby Sara Varon
In this nearly wordless book, comic book-style illustrations tell the story of Dog and his best friend, Robot. When the two become separated, readers follow their separate—and very different—experiences, which are amusing, wistful and truly thought provoking.
Roaring Brook, 2007. ISBN 9781596431089
The Pigeon Wants a Puppyby Mo Willems
This self-described puppy-lovin’ pigeon promises to take care of what he’s always wanted, at least since last Tuesday—a puppy. He promises he’ll water it once a month. In the end, after meeting up with a huge puppy, he changes his mind—maybe a walrus is more his speed.
Hyperion, 2008. ISBN: 9781423109600
Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt
After spending years at sea, Jack comes to town to find a new career. Is there any job that is just right for an ex-pirate who is no good at plundering but loves to tell stories?
Michael di Capua Books/Scholastic, 2007. ISBN 9780545004961
Nic Bishop Frogsby Nic Bishop
In the incredible world of frogs, some species camouflage to escape danger, another eats with its eyes and one can even glide through the air! Dazzling photographs and fun facts introduce these amazing amphibians in action.
Scholastic, 2008. ISBN 9780439877558
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian
“The universe is every place, / Including all the e m p t y space.” Poems full of wordplay, rhyme and humor that’s just right for kids accompany eye-catching illustrations in this fascinating introduction to outer space.
Harcourt, 2007. ISBN: 9780152053727
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Littleby Peggy Gifford; photography by Valorie Fisher
On the last day before fourth grade, Moxy Maxwell, usually an avid reader, finds multiple reasons to continue avoiding her assigned summer reading book.
Schwartz & Wade, 2007. ISBN: 9780375839153
Snoring Beauty by Bruce Hale; illustrated by Howard Fine
A fairy tale that’s as twisted as they come, and hilarious to boot. True to the spited fairy, Beebo’s curse, Princess Marge becomes a snoring dragon doomed to sleep until wakened by “a quince.” Yes, a quince, due to the curse-fix of a hard-of-hearing fairy. All ends well and the kingdom whoops it up “with a hey-nonny-nonny and a hot-cha-cha.”
Harcourt, 2008. ISBN: 9780152163143
Just Graceby Charise Mericle Harper
Grace’s humorous attempts to cheer up her neighbor Mrs. Luther leads to a misunderstanding about the woman’s disappearing cat!
Houghton, 2008. ISBN: 9780547014401
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County by Janice Harrington; illustrations by Shelley Jackson
Miss Hen is smart, fast and knows all the tricks. Is that enough to keep her safe from the girl who calls herself the Chicken-Chasing Queen? Dynamic illustrations bring this squawking, pecking, feather-flying battle of wits to a conclusion that works out fine for both girl and bird.
Farrar, 2007. ISBN 9780374312510
Oh, Theodore!: Guinea Pig Poemsby Susan Katz; illustrated by Stacey Schuett
A boy gets a guinea pig for a pet. The boy and his guinea pig, Theodore (so named because he’s soft, fuzzy and brown like a teddy bear), cautiously adjust to each other, and their affection develops. Told in short, easy-to-read poems.
Clarion, 2007. ISBN: 9780618702220
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroadby Ellen Levine; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Henry Brown grew up a slave. After his wife and children are sold off to another master, and with nothing left to lose, Henry is boxed up by the local doctor, an abolitionist, and mailed! After a rough ride, Henry is unboxed—a free man.
Scholastic, 2007. ISBN: 9780439777339
Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Harry Bliss
The ups and downs of a young fly’s life are captured in funny pictures and in her own words, including flying lessons, school lunches and meeting the toughest babysitter ever: “She brought a frog.” Fun facts about flies are mixed in with the jokes and silliness.
HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, 2007. ISBN 9780060001568
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Greatby Gerald Morris; illustrations by Aaron Renier
These adventures of the greatest knight of the Round Table are full of brave deeds and lots of humor. Lancelot rescues maidens and defeats evil knights. He also wins a tournament by accident, tricks an enemy by singing terribly and takes plenty of afternoon naps in this in this version that’s just right for young readers.
Houghton, 2008. ISBN: 9780618777143
Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibsonby Sue Stauffacher; illustrated by Greg Couch
A picture book biography of the tomboy who, given the opportunity to play tennis, not only learned the game but also how to keep her cool and, in 1957, became the first African-American to win at Wimbledon.
Knopf, 2007. ISBN: 9780375834080
Robot Dreamsby Sara Varon
In this nearly wordless book, comic book-style illustrations tell the story of Dog and his best friend, Robot. When the two become separated, readers follow their separate—and very different—experiences, which are amusing, wistful and truly thought provoking.
Roaring Brook, 2007. ISBN 9781596431089
The Pigeon Wants a Puppyby Mo Willems
This self-described puppy-lovin’ pigeon promises to take care of what he’s always wanted, at least since last Tuesday—a puppy. He promises he’ll water it once a month. In the end, after meeting up with a huge puppy, he changes his mind—maybe a walrus is more his speed.
Hyperion, 2008. ISBN: 9781423109600
Mo Willems is such a funny author, love the quirky characters.
Classic children's books also pull my heartstrings. Richard Scarry has the sweetest books to get little imaginations working. I also search garage sales and second hand shops for anything by Maurice Sendak like Chicken Soup with Rice and Where the Wild Things Are, his drawings captivate me. I grew up with Golden Books and have managed to collect quite a few. The stories never seem to get outdated. Check out Vintage Books My Kid Loves if you also like the golden oldies.
Illustrating a children's story is high on my Bucket List, ...I am inspired by the work of many contemporary artists as well as the classics. Just a few of my heroes are...
Jan Brett's books, The Mitten, The Hat, Gingerbread Baby, and The Night Before Christmas are all filled with velvety-rich paintings.
Mark Teague
Kids cannot resist dinosaurs and the How Do Dinosaurs...books are all hilarious. Mark Teague's art is amazing and bring these books to life. Look for How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? It's a great start to the series.
Oliver Finds His Way has the most lovely drawings and real depth.
Jon J Muth
Last but not least my latest obsession in children's literature would have to be the stories of Jon J Muth. Stone Soup, The Three Questions and Zen Shorts are profound and open the doors of conversation on very deep topicswith your kids. They are beautiful stories to be treasured and read over and over. His art is whimsical and layered. He has a true gift to share with all. I will end this post with one of my favorite images from Zen Shorts. Here is Stillwater the Panda a master of meditation:
Dream big friends...even if you don't have kids, these books can delight and take you away for a while. All of these titles are available from Chapters/Indigo, there is a link on the left sidebar.
thanks for the shout out!
Posted by: Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves | November 22, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Hello. :) Great books. We've been busy settling into our new house.. now in the sunny OK. Yay! And.. it HAS been sunny. Yippee.
Have a peaceful day!
Tammy
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Glad you enjoyed it!
k
kerry macLeod
snickerdoodles
www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
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