When we think of Lois Lowry, our minds often jump to her profound middle-grade and young adult classics like “The Giver” or “Number the Stars.” Yet this celebrated author’s rich storytelling tradition can begin much earlier in a child’s reading journey. While her most famous works might wait for later years, Lowry’s engaging style, memorable […]
Imagine watching your child open a book and read confidently, without stumbling over every other word. That magical moment when reading transforms from a laborious process to a flowing, enjoyable activity is often built on a foundation of high frequency words. These seemingly ordinary little words—think “the,” “and,” “is,” “of”—are actually reading superheroes in disguise! […]
A modern American classroom is one where students from various backgrounds are learning to read in English—some as their first language, others as their second or third. The colorful alphabet charts on the walls and decodable books on shelves represent not just letters and sounds, but gateways to new worlds and opportunities. For parents and […]
Reading aloud to young children is one of the most powerful ways to foster a lifelong love of books. When it comes to engaging pre-readers and early readers, few authors capture imagination quite like Shel Silverstein. His unique blend of humor, heart, and quirky illustrations creates the perfect introduction to the joy of reading. Why […]
Imagine a child staring at a giant puzzle, eager to put the pieces together but unsure where to start. Now, picture handing them a guide that shows how each piece connects, turning confusion into clarity. That’s what concept maps offer our early readers—a visual way to organize new information and build connections that make reading […]
Picture this: your child, curled up with a book, giggling as they turn page after colorful page, completely absorbed in the story world. Now imagine that same child, who might otherwise struggle with traditional text-heavy books, begging to read “just one more chapter” before bedtime. This is the transformative power of graphic novels for young readers. […]
When children begin their reading journey, they encounter two categories of letters: vowels and consonants. While vowels often receive special attention for their variable sounds, consonants form the reliable framework upon which reading skills are built. In fact, of the 26 letters in the English alphabet, 21 are consonants. These letters create the structure and […]
Have you ever watched a child’s eyes light up when they meet Ramona Quimby for the first time? Beverly Cleary, one of America’s most cherished children’s authors, created characters that generations of young readers have befriended during their journey to reading fluency. What makes Cleary’s works so special isn’t just their humor and relatability—it’s how […]
When your child begins to recognize the squiggly shapes that make up our alphabet, they take their first crucial steps toward literacy. Children’s knowledge of letter names and shapes is one of the strongest predictors of reading success. But did you know that understanding different letter formats—from the physical formation of alphabet letters to the […]
As we step into 2025, a whole bunch of captivating children’s books are set to hit the shelves, offering young readers a diverse range of adventures, lessons, and inspirations. Below is a curated list of recent or upcoming releases, complete with reading levels, summaries, and who they’re best for. Gracie’s Corner: Today Is Gonna Be […]
