THE SHOW MUST GO ON

In the latest book from the popular series, Andy and Sandy enter a talent show at their school. Sandy encourages Andy to dance with her, but Andy is shy because he doesn't know how. Sandy is a good friend and helps Andy by teaching him. With lots of practice, Andy is feeling more confident than ever. How well will they do in their big debut? 

Andy & Sandy and the Big Talent Show, by beloved author-illustrator Tomie DePaola, ​is the perfect series for beginning readers all around. Andy and Sandy will delight the hearts of young children through the beautiful illustrations and story of true friendship. Tomie DePaola expertly captures the essence of friends overcoming fear together. 

This book, and the other titles in the Andy & Sandy series, are great early readers for children in kindergarten through second grade. 

RABBITS ON STAGE

So you've been reading for about a year now, and it's time for a book that's a little longer. CINDER-RABBIT by Lynn Hazen is not quite a chapter book, but is longer than the usual book for early readers. Zoe the rabbit is chosen to be the star of the school play - Cinder-Rabbit! For the last act, she is to lead the rest of the cast in an onstage Bunny Hop. Unfortunately, thanks to mean Winifred, she's lost her hop. In all the rehearsals, she can never hop quite right. Will she get her hop back before opening night? Read and you will soon find out! For 2nd and 3rd graders.

FUNNY FOX SHOWS OFF!

Sometimes animals seem a lot like humans. In the book FOX BE NIMBLE by James Marshall, the human-like character is Fox, and he has three chapters of funny happenings. Fox really thinks he's hot stuff. But apparently not everyone knows just how great he is, so he makes a point of showing everyone! First he must babysit for the Ling children who are hard to keep still and end up getting Fox on the evening news. Next, Fox injures himself falling on a skate and makes a big deal out of it, even though he wasn't very hurt, just because he is such a show off. He finally puts his antics to good use as the baton-twirling leader of a parade. This is good for 1st - 3rd graders who are almost ready to read chapter books, but aren't ready for anything too long.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

Here are five humorous short stories about Edward and his brother Jason as they experience the school year and its many adventures. One is concerned with Halloween costumes, while the other is trying to learn the secret language of girls. They each get a pet rat and non-birthday presents from their aunt. Sometimes they get on each others nerves, but mostly they get along and have many funny things happen throughout the book. If you are just starting to read chapter books, RATS by Jane Cutler is a fun and exciting collection of stories, and is the sequel of Jane Cutler's book NO DOGS ALLOWED! Ages 7-10.

THUMP AND PLUNK

Thump and Plunk are ducklings with froggy dolls named Thumpit and Plunkit. The whole story involves Thump and Plunk thumping and plunking each other, sometimes while using Thumpit and Plunkit as thumpers and plunkers. You most definitely find your tongue twisting reading this story aloud! Thump and Plunk’s mother eventually explains that they should not be hitting each other, or their dolls. The dialog is realistic and goes through the whole process of who thumped or plunked first, and the mom being firm about not thumping or plunking. The illustrations are so cute, and add even more laughs to the silly text. THUMP AND PLUNK by Janice May Udry is part of the “My First I Can Read Book” series.

ANY WAY OR JUST SO?

The Just-So Woman by Gary Blackwood is about someone who has to have everything in her life a certain way. She has to have butter for her bread, but when there isn't any butter, she has to make some RIGHT AWAY! There are many things she has to do just to make her butter, and sometimes she has to ask the Any-Way Man to help her. She hates asking him for help, because he doesn't care how things are finished, and is happy with any old way of doing things. In the end, the Just-So woman sees it's sometimes okay to do some things any way. For Kindergarten - 3rd grades.