Meet two friends who disagree on most things, other than their continuing friendship.
Gollie, the tall bossy one knows she is right and Bink the smaller, more childlike one, who cares what Gollie thinks but not enough to give in. Bink has a mind of her own. Told in few words, each small adventure takes place partially in the imagination of one of the two girls. Beginning readers will appreciate the humor and limited words on the page. This looks like the first of a series of easy reader friendship stories. 6 & up.

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

Generations of kids who are ready for first chapter books have enjoyed the Nate the Great series. The series, originated more than 30 years ago, features a no nonsense boy detective who was seeing clues long before fellows like Monk. In this newest caper, some books are missing pages and the president of the Harvard Book Club has come to Nate the Great to find the culprit.

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

Ideal for beginners, these boxed sets of ten little paperback books are designed for true reading beginners. With few words per page and plenty of repetitive vocabulary, these slender books give new readers a sense of success and reinforce the idea of can-do. The new lavender box is marked for Kindergarten, though many first graders will profit from the simplicity of these little stories. The greenish boxed set is marked for First Grade, although these are not that much more difficult. There are more position words, but they are supported by the simple drawings that illustrate the collection. Both sets have a set of flash cards and ideas for playing games with them.

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

Detective Dinosaur is something of a dumbbell, but one who will tickle beginning readers who love dinosaurs. It's bit cartoonish, but that probably makes it all the more appealing to readers who know that genre and can relate to the silliness of a dinosaur who puts on layers of clothes when he is given an "undercover" assignment. These are a step beyond the super easy beginner books and right on the mark for 2nd graders.

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

For some reason this book has been reissued in a board book format, making it look like a good choice for toddlers. We don’t think so. We do think beginning readers will see the humor and find success with the repetitive vocabulary and the illustrations that provide cues for sight words. Edwin is a cave boy who cannot get his parents or other creatures to pay attention to the fact that he is hungry. When he finally does find one friend he gets a real lift. Good fun for 6 & up.

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

Four lively stories about Kate, a Cowgirl and her horse, Cocoa. These easy-to-read stories are full of action as they go out to the spring pasture where a calf is born, get a new puppy and deal with "ghosts" in the barn. For action loving kids, this will be a pleasing beginning reader.

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

Once again Piggie and Elephant have a small misunderstanding. When Piggie says "I'm going!" Elephant is miserable. He begs and pleads with Piggie not to leave without finding out just where his best friend is going. All's well that ends well. Another tongue-in-cheek entertainment for beginning readers. Like all the books in this series it has a limited word load and illustrations that help the beginner read what is happening. 5 & up.

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

Using language that developing readers can handle and photographs that convey that this is a true story, Ruby Bridges tells her remarkable story. It was she who braved the segregated schoolhouse with federal marshals in the battle for civil liberties. Using archival Life magazine photos by Margaret Bourke-White and others, this is a handsome little book that will surely be used during Black History month in schools and/or as a treasure in the family library.  You can hear Ruby Bridges herself read the story on Scholastic’s website.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Mr. Putter loves goldfish but when he brings home a bowlful, his poor Tabby cat goes batty with tingles and twitches. Another amusing tale from a series for Level 2 readers. Also: Mr. Putter & Tabby Paint the Porch.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2002. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

During a big snowstorm, Mr. Putter decides that he should write a book with the support of his cat, Tabby. All writers, young and old, will appreciate Mr. Putter’s delicious procrastination. 6–9.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2005. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.