On Your Mark, Get Set…READ!

For Early Readers

 

This recommended reading list provides a broad list of books related to this summer’s theme of sports, health, and wellness. This list includes audio, braille, and large print titles and is recommended for those reading at a preschool through 2nd grade reading level up to a kindergarten through 3rd grade reading level.

 

To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through WolfPAC. Identification numbers for braille books begin with BR, large print books begin with LP, and audiobooks begin with DB or MDB. All audiobooks and available braille books listed are linked to the Braille and Audio Reading Download site (BARD) for downloading.

 

Preschool to Grade 2

 

 Arrorró, mi niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games by Lulu Delacre

 BR 17011

 Fifteen traditional Latin American nursery rhymes and songs, some with finger-play activities, are presented in Spanish with English translations. PRINT/BRAILLE. Belpré Honor Book. 2004.

 

 Barn Dance! by Bill Martin Jr.

 BR 52075

 Download Barn Dance!, DB 30856

 Read by Ilona Dulaski. Reading time: 5 minutes.

Unable to sleep on the night of a full moon, a young boy follows the sound of music to the barn, where he finds the animals holding a dance. Told in the rhythmic cadence of a square dance caller. Print/braille. Illustrated by Ted Rand. 1986.

  

Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton

 BR 53749

 A bespectacled fiddle-playing cow and a pig twirling a sheep are featured in a barnyard dance. Print/Braille. Board book. 1993.

  

Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton

 BR 51711

 Hippopotamuses celebrate their belly buttons. Print/Braille board book. 2005.

  

Birds by Kevin Henkes

 BR 51569

 LP 2124

 Fascinated by the colors, shapes, sounds, and movements of the many different birds she sees through her window, a little girl is happy to discover that she and they have something in common. Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. Braille added by Wolfner volunteers. Building Block Award nominee, 2011. 2009.

  

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett

 Download Count the Monkeys, DBC02482

 Read by Wendy Devilbiss. Reading time: 5 minutes.

The reader is invited to count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the page. 2013.

  

Counting Kisses by Karen Katz

 BR 51191

 BR 51710

 LP 2051

 How many kisses does a tired baby need to change her from crying into sleeping? Print/braille by Wolfner volunteers, 2003. 2001.

  

Digger Dog by William Bee

 Download Digger, Dog DBC01467

 Read by Mary Grace Newman. Reading time: 5 minutes.

Loving bones so much that he resolves to dig up the world's biggest bone, Digger Dog attempts to find the world's biggest diggers to complete the job and digs an incrementally larger hole before discovering a fantastic fold-out surprise. Building Block Award nominee, 2015. 2013.

  

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

 BR 51199

 A duck decides to ride a bike and soon influences all the other animals on the farm to ride bikes too. Print/braille by Wolfner Volunteers, 2003. 2002.

  

Freight Train Donald Crews

 BR 17043

 LP 2069

 A train of many colorful cars--red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and black--starts slowly, then moves in a rainbow blur across the countryside. Bilingual book in English and Spanish. PRINT/BRAILLE. Caldecott Honor. 1978.

  

Good Thing You’re Not an Octopus! by Julie Markes

 BR 51201

 A little boy finds that his life is pretty easy compared to how it might be. Illustrated by Maggie Smith. Print/braille by Wolfner volunteers, 2003. 2001.

  

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

 Download Green Eggs and Ham, BR 08956

 Download Green Eggs and Ham, BR 16721

 Download Green Eggs and Ham, BR 13450

 BR 50772

 BR 51492

 Download Green Eggs and Ham, DB 34056

 Download Green Eggs and Ham, DB 72997 (Spanish)

 Read by John Horton. Reading time: 5 minutes.

 Read by Maria Fernanda Lloreda. Reading time: 7 minutes.

 Nonsense rhyme about a delightful creature named Sam-I-Am, and his efforts to get another to eat green eggs and ham. 1960.

  

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won

 Download Hooray for Hat!, DBC01451

 LP 2790

 Read by Mary Grace Newman. Reading time: 5 minutes.

 Elephant wakes up in a grumpy mood, but a present on his doorstep--a hat--cheers him and he sets out to greet his neighbors who all, it seems, need hats of their own. Building Block Award nominee, 2015. 2014.

  

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen

 LP 2057

 Rhyming text looks at the table manners of many dinosaurs. Illustrated by Mark Teague. 2005.

  

If You’re Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre

 Download If You’re Happy, DBC05430

 LP 2313

 Read by Mary Grace Newman. Reading time: 6 minutes.

 Rhyming text reminiscent of the traditional song, "If you're happy and you know it," presents various animals that are hoppy, sloppy, growly, flappy, or slimy, scaly and mean. Building Block Picture Book Award nominee, 2012. 2011.

  

If You’re a Monster and You Know It by Rebecca Emberley

 BR 51582

 LP 2122

 Monsters sing their own version of this popular song that encourages everyone to express their happiness through voice and movement. Building Block Award nominee, 2011. 2010.

  

I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

 BR 51562

 A giant squid brags about being bigger than everything else in the ocean--almost. Print/braille by Wolfner Volunteers. 2007.

 

In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming

 BR 08945

 BR 51333

 Hummingbirds sip, bees hum, ants lug, moles scratch, beetles hurry, fireflies glow, and much, much, more as we tour the tall, tall grass with a fuzzy caterpillar. 1991.

 

Is Everyone Ready For Fun? by Jan Thomas

 BR 51595

 Download Is Everyone Ready For Fun?, DBC05431

 Read by Mary Grace Newman. Reading time: 3 minutes.

 Chicken's cow visitors try to jump, dance, and wiggle on his couch, which is much too tiny for such exuberant activities. Building Block Picture Book Award nominee, 2012. 2011.

  

It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle

 BR 60014

 Download It’s a Tiger!, DBC01458

 Read by Mary Grace Newman. Reading time: 6 minutes.

 A child imagines that he is in a story where he encounters a tiger at every turn. 2012.

  

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales

 BR 16006

 In this version of a traditional tale, Señor Calavera, a skeleton, arrives at Grandma Beetle's door, ready to take her to the next life. But after helping her count in English and Spanish as she makes her birthday preparations, he changes his mind. PRINT/BRAILLE. Pura Belpré Award. 2003.

  

Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin Jr.

 BR 51279

 Describes the changing sounds of the rain, the slow soft sprinkle, the drip-drop tinkle, the sounding pounding roaring rain, and the fresh wet silent after-time of rain. 1988.

  

Llama Llama Hoppity-Hop by Anna Dewdney

 BR 52087

 Llama Llama does exercises and performs such activities as hops, jumps, thumps, bends, taps, stretches, and bows. 2012.

  

Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley

 BR 12004

 LP 2261

 The sleeping little mouse wakes up when the family goes to bed. Since he is very hungry, he goes to the kitchen where he finds cookies and crackers, milk and cheese, and peanut butter and jam. And when he is full, he goes back to bed. But what a mess he has made. PRINT/BRAILLE. 1997.

 

Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

 BR 50806

 A cow says moo. A sheep says baa. Three singing pigs say la la la! Sounds made by different animals. Print/braille board book in uncontracted braille. 1982.

  

The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort

 BR 51070

 Two children and their parents board a city bus. At the next stop, who should get on but a group of seals, who holler "errp, errp, errp" at the top of their lungs. Each time the bus stops a new kind of animal joins the passengers and adds to the din, to the children's delight and the parent's annoyance. But when several hissing skunks want to come aboard, even the children cry "help! help! help!" 2001-2002 Building Block Award book. Print/braille by Wolfner volunteers, 2002. 2000.

  

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter 

 BR 50922

 BR 50980

 Download The Tale of Peter Rabbit, DB 13917

 Read by Patricia Beaudry. Reading time: 1 hour, 54 minutes.

 Peter disobeys his mother by going into Mr. McGregor's garden and almost gets caught. 1903.

  

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

 BR 51632

 A group of sheep have misadventures while riding in a jeep. Print/Braille board book. 1986.

  

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

 LP 2354

 Tap, rub, touch, and wiggle illustrations to make an apple tree bloom, produce fruit, and lose its leaves. 2013.

  

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox

 BR 18039

 LP 2046

Babies born in different countries and in different circumstances have in common ten little fingers and ten little toes. Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2008.

  

This Little Piggy by Tim Harrington

 LP 2335

 Expands on the traditional counting rhyme, revealing exciting things the second set of toes does which inspire the first set to try more "fun stuff" too. 2013.

  

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

 BR 06130

 BR 12015

 BR 51707

 Download The Very Hungary Caterpillar, DB 24609

 Read by Edward C. Stern. Reading time: 4 minutes.

 A hungry caterpillar eats holes through plums, cheese, sausage, and other food and gets a stomach ache. Then something wonderful happens to the fat caterpillar. 1981.

  

Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli

 BR 51829

 Spaghetti is yummy, but worms - and blue crayons, and sand, and other things too gross to mention - are definitely yucky when tasted. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2000.

 

Kindergarten to Grade 3

 

Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park

 BR 16048

 A young girl helps her mother shop for food, cook the meal, and set the table for her favorite Korean dish--bee-bim bop! A story in rhyme. Contains step-by-step instructions for a child and an adult to prepare this rice dish topped with vegetables and meat. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2005.

  

The Busy Body Book: A Kid's Guide to Fitness by Lizzy Rockwell

 BR 16018

 An introduction to the human body, how it functions, and its need for exercise. Includes suggested activities to keep your body busy, healthy, and strong. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2004.

  

The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl 

 BR 50193

 Download The Enormous Crocodile, DB 43544

 Read by Earle Hyman. Reading time: 23 minutes.

 An enormous crocodile who devises clever tricks to trap a nice, juicy child for lunch gets exactly what he deserves. 1978.

  

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

 Download Giraffes Can’t Dance, DB 79890

 Read by Billy Dee Williams. Reading time: 8 minutes.

 Gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the Jungle Dance, until he finds the right music. Commercial audiobook. 2008.

  

Good Sports: Rhymes about Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More by Jack Prelutsky

 BR 18006

 Short poems about enjoying sports--win or lose. Celebrates trying baseball, soccer, gymnastics, ice and sidewalk skating, swimming, running in races, basketball, and karate, among others. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2007.

  

How to Be a Cat by Nikki McClure

 BR 21004

 A kitten learns to stretch, listen, and dream by imitating an older cat's movements and behavior. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2013.

  

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara

 BR 17334

 When Mr. Tiffin brings in three pumpkins for a class counting project, Charlie, the smallest child in his class, chooses the smallest pumpkin. Counting the seeds by tens, Charlie's group is amazed that their little pumpkin has the most seeds of all. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2007.

 I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel

 BR 21044

 Autobiography of Jazz Jennings, a transgender child, who recounts her early awareness that she is a girl in spite of male anatomy and the acceptance she finds through a wise doctor who explains her natural transgender status. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2014.

  

If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss,

 BR 02368

 BR 16243

 Download If I Ran the Circus, DB 60939

 Read by Michael Kramer. Reading time: 12 minutes.

 In this story told in rhyme, a young boy, Morris McGurk, imagines the fantastic animals and incredible acts that he will have in his Circus McGurkus, the world's greatest show. 1956.

  

Maybelle in the Soup and Maybelle Goes to Tea by Katie Speck 

 Download Maybelle in the Soup and Maybelle Goes to Tea, DB 77400

 Read by Theresa Conkin. Reading time: 1 hour, 4 minutes.

 Two stories of Maybelle the cockroach. In Maybelle in the Soup Maybelle is sick of crumbs and leftovers and wants to eat off of a plate. When the Peabodys host a dinner party, she decides this is her chance. But will Maybelle get caught? A Maybelle book. 2007.

  

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

 BR 08962

 BR 51491

 BR 53724

 LP 1367

 Download Mirette on the High Wire, DB 36482

 Read by Madelyn Buzzard. Reading time: 9 minutes.

 The Great Bellini, who crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope and stopped in the middle to cook an omelet; who crossed the Alps with baskets on his feet; and walked a flaming wire in Naples, is the gentle stranger staying at the widow Gateau's boardinghouse. Mirette, the widow's daughter, has befriended Bellini, and he has taught her to walk the wire. Now, she must teach him to overcome his fear. Caldecott Medal. 1992.

 

Moses Goes to a Concert by Isaac Millman

 BR 12011

 Moses and his classmates, who are deaf, go to a concert with their teacher. Performing with the orchestra is a percussionist who is also deaf. PRINT/BRAILLE. 1998.

  

Move! by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

 LP 2064

 Learn about how different animals move. 2006.

 

Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

 BR 21010

 Bored with the proper behavior of city life, Mr. Tiger has a wild idea that leads him to discover his true nature. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2013.

 

Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales

 BR 21026

 Lucha libre champion Nino has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match that will truly test his skills. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2013.

  

Painter and Ugly by Robert J. Blake

 Download Painter and Ugly, DBC05446

 Read by Mary Grace Newman. Reading time: 10 minutes.

 Painter and Ugly, two sled dogs who are inseparable best friends, are put on different teams for the Junior Iditarod, but they manage to find their way back to one another for the big race. 2011.

  

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin and James Dean

 BR 21002

 Download Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, DBC01459

 LP 2804

 Read by Mary Grace Newman. Reading time: 6 minutes.

 Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them. Even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing. A Pete the Cat book. Building Block Award Winner, 2013. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2012.

  

Rainbow Joe and Me by Maria Diaz Strom

 BR 13091

 Eloise loves to paint pictures in bright colors that she describes for her elderly blind neighbor Rainbow Joe. Joe tells her he too can make colors sing and promises one day to show her his own special way with them. And one Sunday, for a surprise, he does just that. PRINT/BRAILLE. 1999.

  

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill 

 Download The Recess Queen, DB 54344

 Read by Susan McInerney. Reading time: 8 minutes.

 Mean Jean is the biggest bully on the school playground until new girl Katie Sue arrives and challenges Jean's status as recess queen. 2002.

  

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown

 Download Stone Soup, DB 50548

 Read by Chuck Young. Reading time: 8 minutes.

 When three hungry soldiers in a strange land ask some villagers for food, they are told there is none. So the soldiers decide to show the townspeople how to make soup from water and three round stones. Caldecott Honor Book. 1947.

  

Three Ninja Pigs by Cory Rosen Schwartz

 BR 20046

 A retelling of The Three Little Pigs. Tired of the big bad wolf blowing their houses down, each pig trains in a different martial art to prepare for battle with the wolf. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2012.

  

Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia

 LP 2065

 A parade of colorful construction vehicles doing their work means plenty of joyful noise! 2007.

  

Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert 

 LP 50180

 Simple text and bright pictures show how butterflies use flowers and identifies several types of butterflies. 2001.