Truth and Story in Easy Readers

Truth and Story in Easy Readers

 Beginning readers are another area, like picture books, in which it's hard to pinpoint Truth as opposed to truth. Even the Story sometimes borders on story. What do we look for in this oh, so important category of literature that, by its very nature, must be rather spare in text?

As we mentioned in our musings over Truth and Story in picture books, there is more involved than a mere break down of "Truth" or "Story," especially in these books for emerging readers.


In perhaps no other category of books is the quality of language and story as important. Why?

• These are often the first books children remember vividly. 
• These are the books that help set the tone for the rest of their independent reading adventures. 
• These books provide the landscape for children's first forays into discovering Truth and Story on their own terms.

 

Basal readers certainly can have a place in this landscape of easy readers, but please do not let your children spend all their time there. Gaining fluency is very important, and basal readers can aid this development. But by and large, most basal readers are abysmally lacking in "Story." Don't let your child get bored!!! Don't let him or her think that this is what we're all so excited about.

It's like riding a bicycle. At first, you ride a tricycle. Then, you graduate to a "real" bicycle with training wheels. Finally, you start that painful process of riding without training wheels. You can do this entire process in a driveway or parking lot. Or, you can find a bike trail near your house and let your children begin to experience the reward of bike riding--even while using training wheels. The reward is the first real feeling of flying as the new rider picks up speed and sails down a hill. Working hard on those pedals to scale the next hill, feeling the breeze, taking in the scenery. This can be done with training wheels still on. Is it as good as the real deal? No. But it's a very nice teaser to encourage that child--he or she will begin to realize how much more fun bike riding is going to be when they get better at it and that there is a purpose to riding (to get somewhere, to have fun, etc.).

Easy readers are the training wheels in the reading world. Basal readers are the parking lot: highly structured, predictable, and kind of boring. Take your child to the fun trails--the exciting beginning readers at the local library--and let them get a taste of Story, of quality characterization, of the subtleties of plot, of interesting settings, and of variety. The scenery is better, too (the illustrations are half the charm of those quality beginning readers!).

Thus, easy or beginning readers are helping give your child a taste of what's to come when they're independent readers themselves. Let them experience good Story, strong writing, beautiful illustrations even at this training stage. Don't confine them to the parking lot even if you need to start there at first.

We try to review and highlight easy readers on Literaritea that are great literature in beginning reader form (one of the hardest things to achieve!). You may check out those lists, or you can start with one of the series below (listed in no particular order):

Hi! Fly Guy (series; Tedd Arnold; current)
Frog and Toad (series; Arnold Lobel; 1970s)
Elephant and Piggie (series; Mo Willems; current/ongoing)
Mouse and Mole (series; Wong Herbert Yee; current)
Henry and Mudge (series; many others also by Cynthia Rylant; 1990s and on)
Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop, etc. (Dr. Seuss)

Cover images from goodreads

Bink and Gollie: Two for One (times two!)

(This is a repost of a review of this book I did back in February... Contents below are identical, but the book comes out this month, so I wanted to draw your attention to it again!)

Bink and Gollie: Two for One
Kate DiCamillo, author
Alison McGhee, author
Tony Fucillo, illustrator
Candlewick
2012

We thoroughly enjoyed Bink and Gollie, and I am delighted to see these friends return in a new set of adventures! Early reader/chapter books really shine when both text and illustrations are at the top of their game; Bink and Gollie books provide a terrific example. Once again, DiCamillo and McGhee have given us funny stores about two devoted friends who have different interests and adventures, but who wind up supporting each other as only best friends can do. And once again, Fucillo's illustrations really steal the show. His use of color, the graphic novel feel of some pages, his use of perspective--perfect.

Giveaway Winners Announced and some Weekend Fun

Announcing our first giveaway winners! (Determined through the VERY scientific process of drawing names out of a hat ☺).

Planting a Rainbow goes to "daughtermommie."

Growing Vegetable Soup goes to "Jason Kaiser."

Congratulations!! If you would email me with your snail mail address, we'll be happy to get those out to you! I'm fyona(at)gmail(dot)com.

Second order of business is some weekend fun for you and your kids. Last week we featured an activity to go with some board books. This week, we're bumping it up to those early readers we love. You no doubt remember Green Eggs and Ham from when you were a child yourself, but if you haven't witnessed its enduring magic with a child in your life, make haste to check this book out at the library next time you're there! Perfect for those just starting to read, this book is a delight for children with its silliness, approachable text, and zany illustrations.

And, you might try this delicious "Green Eggs and Ham" recipe when you read the book! One morning, I had some spinach languishing in the fridge, some leftover ham, and some eggs...

And here you go! Green eggs and ham. I accidentally deleted my picture of it; it's more "yellow eggs with flecks of green." The kids eat this--you cannot taste the spinach. Feel free to add in a little cheese, too. That's also yummy.

• Fresh spinach
• Ham chunks
• Eggs

Amounts vary depending on your family. Remember, spinach cooks down quite a bit. Saute a few handfuls of spinach in a tiny amount of water, tossing and turning over, until wilted/cooked (don't cook it to death). Drain well and chop. Add chopped ham and chopped spinach to beaten eggs. Scramble as you would normally.

Enjoy!

Weekly Round-up: Crazy, Zany Easy Readers

The final post in my early reader categories lineup. Here is the rough breakdown in which many early readers fit:

1. Cute stories involving one main protagonists (i.e. Little Bear books)
   
2. Stories about two best friends, usually animals and usually incompatible and/or quite different at first glance (i.e. Frog and Toad)
3. Super simple words/text and, sometimes, zany plots/illustrations (i.e. Dr. Seuss books)
4. Person + Pet: the more unlikely the "pet," the better (i.e. Danny and the Dinosaur)

Let's look at some zany early readers. Of course, no one has done this quite as well as Dr. Seuss, so we'll begin with him. After all, there's an easy reader award named after him--featuring his "real name": The Geisel Award.

The Cat in the Hat/ The Cat in the Hat Comes Back

I mean, c'mon--who else could write a story this entertaining with such a limited vocabulary? And not just a limited vocabulary in terms of numbers, but in terms of ease of reading. Fun to read aloud and wonderfully fun for early readers.

Ten Apples Up on Top
"Theo LeSeig" (another pseudonym of Theodore Geisel)

This one never fails to delight young children. And, it's an easy one to read right when they first start to really read.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish and Hop on Pop and Fox in Socks
Dr. Seuss

Three quirky, wonderful early readers. There really isn't a plot, per se--just funny pictures, crazy rhyming texts, and the charm that comes with "reading it myself!"

See Me Run
Paul Meisel

The new kid on the block, this one garnered a Geisel Honor this year. And, in the spirit of Seuss, the text is disarmingly simple, but the illustrations and plot are appropriately zany.




Well, folks, that's all my tired brain is generating right now. I was out of town last week, and kept thinking of titles without jotting them down....

So, what would YOU add to the list?

Truth and Story in Beginning Readers

Beginning readers, like picture books, are another arena in which it's hard to pinpoint Truth as opposed to truth. Even the Story sometimes borders on story. What do we look for in this oh, so important category of literature that, by its very nature, must be rather spare in text?

As we mentioned in our musings over Truth and Story in picture books, there is more involved than a mere break down of "Truth" or "Story," especially in these books for emerging readers.

In perhaps no other category of books is the quality of language and story as important. Why? These are often the first books children remember vividly. These are the books that help set the tone for the rest of their independent reading adventures. These books provide the landscape for children's first forays into discovering Truth and Story on their own terms.*

Basal readers certainly can have a place in this landscape of easy readers, but please do not let your children spend all their time there. Gaining fluency is very important, and basal readers can aid this development. But by and large, most basal readers are abysmally lacking in "Story." Don't let your child get bored!!! Don't let him or her think that this is what we're all so excited about.

It's like riding a bicycle. At first, you ride a tricycle. Then, you graduate to a "real" bicycle with training wheels. Finally, you start that painful process of riding without training wheels. You can do this entire process in a driveway or parking lot. Or, you can find a bike trail near your house and let your children begin to experience the reward of bike riding--even while using training wheels. The reward is the first real feeling of flying as the new rider picks up speed and sails down a hill. Working hard on those pedals to scale the next hill, feeling the breeze, taking in the scenery. This can be done with training wheels still on. Is it as good as the real deal? No. But it's a very nice teaser to encourage that child--he or she will begin to realize how much fun bike riding is going to be when they get better at it and that there is a purpose to riding (to get somewhere, to have fun, etc.).

Easy readers are the training wheels. Basal readers are the parking lot: highly structured, predictable, and kind of boring. Take your child to the fun trails--the exciting beginning readers at the local library--and let them get a taste of Story, of quality characterization, of the subtleties of plot, of interesting settings, and of variety. The scenery is better, too (the illustrations are half the charm of those quality beginning readers!).

Thus, easy or beginning readers are helping give your child a taste of what's to come when they're independent readers themselves. Let them experience good Story, strong writing, beautiful illustrations even at this training stage. Don't confine them to the parking lot even if you need to start there at first.

We try to review and highlight easy readers on Literaritea that are great literature in beginning reader form (one of the hardest things to achieve!). You may check out those lists, or you can start with one of the series below (listed in no particular order):

• Hi! Fly Guy (series; Tedd Arnold; current)
• Frog and Toad (series; Arnold Lobel; 1970s)
• Elephant and Piggie (series; Mo Willems; current/ongoing)
• Mouse and Mole (series; Wong Herbert Yee; current)
• Henry and Mudge (series; many others also by Cynthia Rylant; 1990s and on)
• Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop, etc. (Dr. Seuss)

*Neither Megan nor Betsy is a reading specialist; both, however, are very interested in fostering a love of reading in children, have taught their own children to read (or are still in the process), and have had many discussions with children of all ages about what they enjoy reading--at the beginning reader stage or any other stage!

Cover image from goodreads

Best Friends in Easy Reader Land (Weekly Round-Up)

A continuation of my series on the main categories of easy readers. Here is the rough breakdown in which many early readers fit:

1. Cute stories involving one main (usually animal) protagonist (i.e. Little Bear books)
   
2. Stories about two best friends, usually animals and usually incompatible and/or quite different at first glance (i.e. Frog and Toad)
3. Super simple words/text and, sometimes, zany plots/illustrations (i.e. Dr. Seuss books)
4. Person + Pet: the more unlikely the "pet," the better (i.e. Danny and the Dinosaur)

Stories about two best friends--usually unlikely companions--abound in easy reader land. Arnold Lobel is the standard by which we measure most new additions to the landscape, but there are many worthy pairs in their own right. As far as I know, each of the pairs below have their own series. Only one book in each series is pictured; there are many more, but these are the ones my kids and I have read and enjoyed. (one final note: I have found ALL of these easily in my public library)

Frog and Toad
Arnold Lobel

GO. READ. THESE. NOW. with or without your kids. Oh, the life lessons we find in Frog and Toad books. The humor, the pathos, the true-to-life experience that Lobel somehow manages to communicate through this lovable pair. You cannot read these books too much.

George and Martha
James Marshall

Another lovable pair that I remember fondly from childhood (especially the one in which George pours his split pea soup into his loafers so he won't have to tell Martha he doesn't like it...). Text is quite short, but vocabulary is a touch more challenging than something like Frog and Toad. These may be shelved with picture books, but they work nicely as early readers.

Bink and Gollie
Kate DiCamillo

Another series that may be shelved in picture books or even juvenile fiction, these work best as read alouds and for kids who have good sight-reading ability. They are not phonetic and include some wonderfully rich vocabulary. Bink and Gollie are the absolute newest on the scene here; book 2 (pictured) comes out in June...

Zelda and Ivy
Laura McGee Kvasnosky

A foxy pair--these two fox sisters have little romps and even run away to their own backyard. Kindergartners will enjoy these (and slightly older kids as well).

Mouse and Mole
Wong Herbert Yee

My favorite pair of the contemporary lineup--the ones that, in my mind, come closest to the Frog and Toad dynamic. Mouse is a girl and Mole is a boy; they have quiet little adventures and are just the best of friends. They do not reference school activities at all which makes them a great series for younger kids learning to read (i.e. 3 and 4 year-olds).

Houndsley and Catina
James Howe

Another quiet pair, Houndsley is a boy and Catina is a girl. These two learn like the rest of these wonderful pairs how to be better friends to one another.

Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same
Grace Lin

So far, we only have one book in this series that I know of. (See, I'm hoping it will turn into a series). Ling and Ting are identical Chinese-American twins, but they are not exactly the same. A wonderful multicultural addition to the easy reader crowd.

Elephant and Piggie books
Mo Willems

OK, I said Mouse and Mole were my favorites, but that's not entirely true. I cannot imagine our reading lives right now without Elephant and Piggie. Oh, the stories about them! The friendship dynamics! The characterization! Perfect for those just learning to read who can also sight read some bigger words. Very little text and emotive pictures make them fun read alouds and fun independent reads.

Sam and the Firefly
P. D. Eastman

This is a single book (not a series), but it's a fun read nonetheless. New readers enjoy trying to sound out words like "thermometer" (a genius inclusion because you can sound it out!), but most of the vocabulary is typical easy reader style and very phonetic/short word-based. Sam is an owl, and he makes a new firefly friend--but the firefly learns that some tricks are fun and some are downright mean or dangerous....

The Best Nest/Flap Your Wings
P. D. Eastman

These don't really fit the "best friends" category, but they are both about a pair: Mr. and Mrs. Bird. In The Best Nest, Mr. and Mrs. Bird are looking for a new home. In Flap Your Wings, Mr. and Mrs. Bird raise a very strange looking "baby bird" (it's really an alligator), but they are devoted parents. Incidentally, Mrs. Bird also features in Are You My Mother?

Mr. and Mrs. Green
Keith Baker

A married pair, like Mr. and Mrs. Bird, these two emulate all the classic pair dynamics that we love in easy readers. Delightful and funny.

High Rise Private Eyes
Cynthia Rylant

Can't have a lineup of easy readers without mentioning Rylant! This is a nice twist on the easy reader pair theme; two friends are detectives and solve little mysteries. This series is a nice option for those learning to read in kindergarten-1st grade and up (as opposed to those precocious 4 year olds out there). 

Cork and Fuzz
Dori Chaconas

I'll admit that Cork and Fuzz aren't at the top of the list. Still, they are worth mentioning because they provide a nice addition for the slightly more difficult end of the easy reader spectrum.
 

Rose and Riley
Jane Cutler

This series, like the Cork and Fuzz books, just doesn't "work" for me. I'm willing to admit that my taste isn't the only one that matters, though ☺, and this pair is better than much of the trite easy reader twaddle out there.



All cover images from goodreads

What are your favorites? What have we missed?

Single Protagonist/Main Character Easy Readers

As I mentioned in the first weekly roundup of easy readers, lots of easy readers fit into some standard character categories. Here is the rough breakdown in which many early readers fit:

1. Cute stories involving one main protagonist--usually animals (i.e. Little Bear books)
   
2. Stories about two best friends, usually animals and usually incompatible and/or quite different at first glance (i.e. Frog and Toad)
3. Super simple words/text and, sometimes, zany plots/illustrations (i.e. Dr. Seuss books)
4. Person + Pet: the more unlikely the "pet," the better (i.e. Danny and the Dinosaur)

Today, let's examine some of the "cute stories involving one main protagonist." There aren't as many of these as there are of the friends or person + pet, but the ones that do exist are worth finding. Note: updated 5/04/12 to add Penny and her Song and Frances--how could I forget Frances??!!

Little Bear books
Else Holmelund Minarik
Maurice Sendak

If you've never read these, you must remedy that ASAP. And no, the TV shows won't do. The best read aloud of the set, in my opinion, is Little Bear's Visit--particularly "The Goblin Story." I love it when authors know just how much to scare little children and still make it fun. These are especially nice for children who are starting to read at a very young age (3-4) because Little Bear is a 4-year-old in disguise (this is my professional opinion, having had 3 4-year-olds in quick succession these past couple of years).

Amelia Bedelia
Peggy Parrish

One of the few non-animal-main-character easy reader series out there, these are classics. Kids need to be able to recognize the irony in Amelia Bedelia's constant misunderstanding of words; usually by the time they're 5, kids recognize what the words are suppose to mean and enjoy the humor.

Curious George Flies a Kite
H. A. Rey and Margaret Rey

There are some easy reader Curious George stories out there, and they are worth seeking out. Many are older (and I MUCH prefer the older stories--that's worthy of another post, though). There's an ABC book, a book about flying a kite, a book in which Curious George wins a medal, and so forth. The easy reader George books are usually identified as such.

Dodsworth in...
Tim Egan

Much more recent than these others on the list, Dodsworth is a strange little animal who travels the world. I could perhaps put him in the unlikely best friends category, but I'm not sure his relationship with the quirky duck really counts as "friendship." And, unlike the friends books, the duck never makes the title; only Dodsworth is in the title. These books are favorites with my kids, but the world famous cities and their tourist attractions go right over the kids' heads.

Poppleton
Cynthia Rylant

Another easy reader winner by Cynthia Rylant, this series is about a pig named Poppleton and his adventures with his friends (all different animals) in their small town.

Penny and Her Song
Kevin Henkes

Henkes' first foray into easy reader land is a nice addition! Another endearing little mouse character like Lily, Owen, and the rest, Penny wants to share her song with the world.... (Note: this is BRAND new; it's at stores such as Barnes and Noble, but not yet in many libraries.)

A Bargain for Frances (and other Frances books)
Russell and Lillian Hoban

In A Bargain for Frances, Frances learns a lot about the ins and outs of friendship. Some Frances books are "picture books" and at least this one is a "beginning reader." No doubt, if your child loves Frances, he or she will soon be able to read the picture books if they're tackling this easy reader.

All cover images from goodreads

What other endearing main/solo easy reader characters are we missing from this list? I know they're out there....(read the comments for other ideas!)

Weekly Roundup: It's a Bug's Life

Within the past week, my family has:

• seen beautiful butterflies in the Smokies
• tracked water striders along a mountain stream
• befriended and "nurtured" two caterpillars (named "Spiky" and, um, "Spiky")
• identified and, um, killed a black widow spider on our porch
• dug up and fished with big earthworms
• obliterated a fire ant hill
• been beaten by mosquitoes....

Clearly, the time's are a'changin.' Or, at least, the seasons. Warm weather is fast approaching, and the bug world is coming out in force.

But that's okay to a young child. For some reason, the insect kingdom offers no small fascination for the younger population. Maybe it's because they're not rushing through life, too busy to notice the ladybug on the maple, the inchworm laboriously crossing the sidewalk, or the roly polies under the big rock they just turned over. The bug world is a marvel of God's creation--a microcosm of intricacy, special function, and beauty.

You could, of course, celebrate the bug world with some screen action: It's a Bug's Life or Bee Movie. But what fun is THAT? Or, you could make haste to pick up some of our favorite titles below from your local library and head out for a backyard picnic/story time to observe these little guys close up (don't forget the bug spray!).

Step Gently Out
Rick Lieder and Helen Frost
Candlewick
2012

This book is gorgeous, but I'll say no more. I am waiting on it from my local library, but I did get to peruse it this weekend when I was visiting with Janie Chaney (yes, shamelessly name dropping here☺). She's going to do it more justice on Redeemed Reader soon, so hop on over there and check them out.

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices
Paul Fleischman
Eric Beddows, illustrator
HarperCollins
1988, Newbery Medal

One of my all-time favorites!! These antiphonal poems are meant to be heard, preferably by two readers. If you don't have readers in your home yet, check out the superb audio version. The poems are all about bugs.

Insectlopedia
Douglas Florian
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
1998

20+ buggy poems and marvelous mixed-media style paintings await your perusal here. Poems are perfect for early elementary kids to pour over and read.

Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider, and Diary of a Fly
Doreen Cronin, author
Harry Bliss, illustrator
HarperCollins
2000's

Did you know that worms keep diaries? Flies and spiders, too? Funny text and pictures engage young readers. (Usually in picture book section). These are silly and have journal/collage style illustrations; they'll work best with the kindergarten-second grade crowd, but probably aren't good read alouds to a crowd because some pictures are quite small.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle
Puffin Books
1994 (orig. 1969)

A classic that needs no description! A perennial favorite. Check out Carle's The Very Busy Spider, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Lonely Firefly, The Grouchy Ladybug,....

Ten Little Ladybugs
Melanie Gerth
Laura Huliska-Beith, illustrator
Piggy Toes Press, 2003

A simple, rhyming counting book with bright illustrations that young children love.

Inch by Inch
Leo Leonni
HarperCollins
1995, originally 1995

Another "retro" favorite, Leonni is the author of Swimmy and other favorites, too. This one is about a little inchworm.

Hi! Fly Guy
Tedd Arnold
Cartwheel Books
2006, Geisel Honor Book

Megan and I have some young boys who are big Fly Guy fans!! A very fun easy reader series worth checking out.

Crickwing
Janell Canon
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2005

Only the author of Stellaluna could make a cockroach and an ant colony so beautiful. A sweet story followed by some nonfiction pages on cockroaches and ants. Longer text makes this a good school age read aloud or to younger experienced listeners.

Sam and the Firefly
P. D. Eastman
Random House
2010 (originally 1958)

This is an old favorite for the easy reader crowd, and it's a nice addition to a bugs books lineup!

Charlotte's Web
E. B. White
Garth Williams, illustrator
HarperCollins
2001 (originally 1952)

Of course! How can we not include this classic in a bugs books lineup! Charlotte is the world's best spider character, bar none.




All cover images from goodreads

Be sure to check out the 595 section of the juvenile nonfiction books for some fact books, too!

What are YOUR buggy favorites? Let us know in the comments, and we'll check them out!

Person + Pet: Winning Beginning Reader Combos

I've had a soft spot in my heart for early readers because some of my all-time favorite read aloud early memories (and independent reading memories) center around 4 particular books/series: Little Bear books (Minarik/Sendak), Frog and Toad books (Arnold Lobel), Cat in the Hat and similar Seuss titles, and Danny and the Dinosaur. As my children begin to progress through these early readers on their own!!, I'm noticing that the new kids on the block are following some of the same patterns as these old classics. Here is the rough breakdown in which many early readers fit:

1. Cute stories involving animal protagonists (i.e. Little Bear books)
2. Stories about two best friends, usually animals and usually incompatible and/or quite different at first glance (i.e. Frog and Toad)
3. Super simple words/text and, sometimes, zany plots/illustrations (i.e. Dr. Seuss books)
4. Person + Pet: the more unlikely the "pet," the better (i.e. Danny and the Dinosaur)

Here's a quick run down of the some of the best representations in the Person + Pet category (some new, some old). Stay tuned for the remaining categories! (I'm starting with this category in honor of Danny and the Dinosaur: this was the first book I ever read on my own, and I remember it VIVIDLY.) Updated 5/04/12 to add Rotten Ralph.

Danny and the Dinosaur
Syd Hoff

Danny goes to a museum and longs for the dinosaurs to be real. Guess what!? One comes to life; he and Danny have a busy, fun-filled day until the dinosaur must return to the museum.

Mr. Putter and Tabby books
Cynthia Rylant, author
Arthur Howard, illustrator

Mr. Putter and cat, Tabby, (and their neighbors, Mrs. Teaberry and dog, Zeke) are arguably the most popular Person + Pet books around (OK, except for Ms. Rylant's other amazing books about Henry and Mudge, but I'll get to those). Somehow, these funny, gentle stories about two old people and their faithful animal companions are cherished by children. I haven't figured out why kids are drawn to books about old people, but I suppose we'll just chalk that up to Rylant's talent and enjoy the ride.


Henry and Mudge books
Cynthia Rylant, author
Sucie Stevenson, illustrator

Henry and his giant dog, Mudge, are enormously popular with early readers--whether they start reading at age 3 or age 8. Somehow, Henry and Mudge are consistently fresh and delightful, whether you're reading the 1st or 20th book of their adventures. And, if you have a daughter whose favorite color is pink, be sure to check out the...




Annie and Snowball books
Cynthia Rylant, author
Sucie Stevenson, illustrator

Sensing a theme here? Rylant knows her early reader crowd. Annie is Henry's cousin, and her pet is a white rabbit named Snowball. Annie loves pink, dressing up, and being very girly in general. A nice complement to Henry and Mudge for sure. But, what if your daughter wants to read books about a girl who's a little more rough and ready?



Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa books
Erica Silverman, author
Betsy Lewin, illustrator

Cowgirl Kate's pet is a horse named Cocoa--but don't think that because Cocoa is a horse, she doesn't want to come into the house. Cocoa is a quirky horse; Cowgirl Kate is always having to talk sense into her (important things like why the barn is better than a house, why Cocoa can't come to school, why Cocoa should wear her rain sheet, and other life lessons).

Buzz and Fly Guy books
Tedd Arnold

I think only Arnold could have pulled this off: Buzz is a funny kid who has a pet fly... yep, that's right. A pet fly. And, as you may imagine with a pet as small and ... well... bug-like as Fly Guy, Buzz and Fly Guy have their fair share of zany adventures (such as Buzz's grandma eating Fly Guy!). A sure fire winner, especially with boys.

Pedro's Burro
Alyssa Satin Capucilli

A nice, more multicultural addition to the easy reader lineup. I confess that I don't know if this will be a series or not, but it's a nice story about a boy named Pedro and the burro who finds him (instead of the other way around). Very approachable text for emerging readers. (Same author as the wildly popular "Biscuit" books)

Rotten Ralph
Jack Gantos

Rotten Ralph is really the star, but since his owner, Sally, is his faithful sidekick, they also fit in the Person + Pet category. The artwork isn't my style, but it is very kid-friendly. And Ralph is a significant change of pace from the rest of the above lineup. (Some Rotten Ralph books are picture books; some are easy readers)
(all cover images from goodreads.com)

What others should we add to this list? 

We want quality writing and quality illustrations--

harder to come by in easy reader land than you might think!

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
Erica Silverman, author
Betsy Lewin, illustrator
2006
Geisel Honor

Giddyap partner! Cowgirl Kate and her pet horse, Cocoa, live on a ranch out west and engage in ranch-y sorts of things (like checking cow pastures, going on trail rides, etc.) while also dealing with more familiar tasks (going to school). And Cocoa can talk, of course! This series is cute and a fun change from the boy-heavy early reader canon (ever notice that there are more boy characters--even in animal form--than girl characters? Especially if we're talking main characters here... I won't even mention the heavy preponderance of white characters--that's another post for another day).

At any rate, check these titles out when your young reader is moving in the Henry and Mudge stage (these are just a teensy bit harder than those). Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa focus on the usual friendship themes found so often in the early reader canon (and yet, those themes just don't grow old, do they?).

Titles in the series (so far)--and no need to read them "in order"

• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners
• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days
• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Rain or Shine
• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Days
• Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Horse in the House 

Cover image from goodreads