As Dragons go, this has got to be the unscarriest one ever. Written for beginning readers, this silly story features a young Dragon who goes out into the world with a list of things to do that turns out to be all wrong. In the process he meets and eats the very people who will end up saving him. For that in-between reader who is not quite ready for chapter books, but is beyond one liners, this is repetitious enough to work--with a little help from an older listener. Grade two.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Spat is going to have a camping adventure. He is very excited until he discovers that his mother has invited Spike, a not so good friend, to join them. Splat discovers in the course of the dark night that Spike is more like Splat than he ever would have imagined. Level 1 easy to read

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Remember your old Richard Scary books with so many details to point to or try to read the labels? This is an update of that format with a cast of the popular Ugly Dolls as the cast of players. For collectors of all things Ugly (dolls) this will be a feast for the eyes. The oversized pages are intensely busy and probably better for slightly older kids. Even the subject of the illustrations matches an early school years reader better than preschoolers. For example, there is a farmer's market with a fresh garlic stand, organic ice, and other little jokes that would go over the head of preschoolers. Each double page spread asks the reader to find at least one specific item, but that is just the beginning of the looking fun. Great literature it is not, but for some reluctant or beginning readers it will be an inviting and entertaining choice.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Books in series often go downhill, but the Fly Guy series keeps buzzing along with good humor and well-paced stories for the beginning reader. In this latest story, Fly Guy happily goes on a class trip with his boy, Buzz. But the happiness ends when he discovers that the class is going to a factory--a flyswatter factory! Ug! The question is: how many kids today know what a flyswatter is? Not to worry. The pictures make it clear. It's another jolly good story about a boy and his pet fly. Buzz on! Grade 2

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Need a gift for a Star Wars fan? Here it is! The 208 page volume has profiles of more than 200 characters, plus movie stills and stats about such favorites as Luke Skywalker, Jabba the Hutt and Darth Vader. Each page includes data, factoids and photos that will make for pleasing light reading.  It is not easy-to-read in the usual way, but kids who may be reluctant readers and love Star Wars may find this kind of book a pleasing way into reading.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens, Teens. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Elephant buys an ice cream and then suffers a series of worries over sharing his ice cream with best friend Piggy. By the time he makes his decision alas, the ice cream has melted. But all is not lost. Moments later, Piggy arrives on the scene with an ice cream cone. A neat little story about friendship and sharing. I Broke My Trunk is more fun, but one can never have too many Mo Willem books!

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Just in time for beginner's reading pleasure, a new Elephant and Piggy book. Run to the nearest bookstore for this silly cumulative tale about how Elephant broke his trunk. But be careful not to break anything on the way. The repetitive format allows the beginner to dive in and keep going with ease and merriment. A well paced easy to read that kids will want to read aloud to all members of the family. Look for others in this delightful series.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Early school age kids are very interested in the real world and this new series is right on the mark. From Tadpole to Frog is illustrated with photographs and told with an economy of words. A young science book that will appeal to beginning readers. Level 1. Also, see, Butterflies (by Nic Bishop, Scholastic $3.99) Illustrated with clear colorful photographs, this book for level two has longer sentences and more vocabulary than the Tadpole book. Level 2.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Newest in the small easy-o-read stories about two good friends, Mouse and Mole. It's winter and although Mouse cannot wait to go out to play, Mole prefers to be snug as a bug in bed. Mouse makes a snow friend but finds she still misses he real live friend Mole. Happily, Mole finds sleeping away the day a bit boring and all's well that ends well. The stories are short and simple with charming illustrations. A good choice for beginners.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A set with ten slender books that are super easy as well as super short. The illustrations and repetition also guide the reading. The set comes with suggestions on how to introduce the sight words and other activities that support beginners.  The stories have humor, charming art and are easy to comprehend. In one little book elephant is putting on his winter coat. He buttons one button, then another, then another--but the coat is too tight and the buttons all burst off and then the coat is just right. You can see how the one liners build on one another with only a small variation from one page to the next and the word family tight and right are added to the sight vocabulary. This is part of a series called Brand new Readers that have been consistently well done. 6 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.