Do you remember reading Bread and Jam for Frances when you were a child? I do! This is a great one for developing readers and includes a lesson about the importance of eating a variety of foods in a gentle, loving manner.
The pictures are darling, and the story is delightful. Frances books have endured the test of time well. I think our daughter may love them more than I did when I was her age.
Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee is a silly rhyming story filled with bright, colorful illustrations. It reminds me of the whimsy found in Dr. Seuss classics. It would make an exceptionally fun read-aloud for preschoolers as well as early elementary students.
Finding high interest books that bridge between beginner readers and chapter books has been a challenge as I have looked for books for our daughter. The Mercy Watson series was love at first sight for her. The books include bright, colorful illustrations and approximately half the text of a regular chapter book on each two page spread which is just about perfect at this point. Additionally, the books are organized into chapters which she knows “grown up books” are so it adds to her interest.
Mercy Watson is a pig who is treated more like an adored child by her owners the Watsons. They refer to her as a “porcine wonder” and supply her with large amounts of her beloved buttered toast. One night when Mercy feels afraid she leaves her room to join the Watsons in their bed. Soon the bed starts to fall through the floor under the weight of the Watsons and Mercy. Mercy quickly escapes the bed and undertakes an adventure of her own culminating in her return to the family home with the fire department to assist with the rescue of the Watsons.
Silly as can be…these books are a huge hit at our home!