Classroom Recommendations K-1st

The Youth Services Librarians from Happy Valley, Milwaukie Ledding, and Oak Lodge Libraries have pulled together some of their favorite books that would be great additions to classroom libraries. Below are single titles, though most are linked to series. They are sorted by suggested grade level, but feel free to "shop" high and low!

You might also be interested in:
Classroom Recommendations 2nd-3rd

Classroom Recommendations 4th-5th


Updated July 27, 2023
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LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Happy Valley Library
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Charlie & Mouse even better
Snyder, Laurel
Paper Book
Heartwarming follow-up to the award-winning beginning chapter book Charlie & Mouse This funny story teaches the importance of family, humor, and a big heart : In this follow-up to Laurel Snyder's award-winning beginning chapter book Charlie & Mouse, the two...
I am curious!
Greenawalt, Kelly
Paper Book
Princess Truly is curious to learn about the world around her, in these rhyming stories perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a...
We will find your hat! : a conundrum
Candy James (Group)
Paper Book
Elephant & Piggie meets Narwhal and Jelly in this hilarious new early-reader graphic novel series about Archie & Reddie, two fox friends who have wild fun! In this second book, Reddie is all set to go to a party, but Archie can't leave without his favorite hat--so they must search through...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Sir Ladybug
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
From Caldecott Honoree and two-time Geisel Award-winning author-illustrator Corey R. Tabor, this is a fresh and funny young graphic novel series sure to delight readers. Perfect for fans of Catwad, Bird & Squirrel, and Narwhal & Jelly. Ladies and gentlebugs, presenting the duke of the...

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Narwhal : unicorn of the sea
Clanton, Ben
Paper Book
"The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad." --Dav Pilkey, bestselling creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants The funny and adorable New York Times bestselling kids graphic novel series starring happy-go-lucky, waffle-loving Narwhal and his somewhat cynical...
Fun with Ed and Fred
Bolger, Kevin
Paper Book
Learning to read has never been more fun than it is with Ed and Fred! This hilarious beginner reader text has been carefully crafted to teach more than fifty first sight words--the simplest, most commonly used words young readers must learn to recognize "on sight." The patterned...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

I did it!
Emberley, Michael
Paper Book
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner! Learning to ride a bike is hard. Can I do it? Yes, I can! A fun comic that kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own. Can I do it? I can't do it. I want to do it. I did it!...

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The first case
Gumpaw, Felix
Paper Book
In this first installment of the Pup Detectives graphic novel series, the pup detectives of Pawston Elementary join forces to solve the crimes happening all around them. Can they nab the lunchtime bandit who's been stealing all the best snacks from the cafeteria? Puppy PI Rider...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Frog meets dog
Trasler, Janee
Paper Book
Discover Frog and Dog, a laugh-out-loud series for beginning readers! A Best Book of 2020 by the Chicago Public Library National Cartoonists Society Winner for Best Book Illustration Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early reader...
Tag team
Rau?l the Third
Paper Book
"Wildly imaginative and creative! Your kids will go loco for El Toro!" --Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series From New York Times bestselling, three-time Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third, Tag Team features El...
See the dog : three stories about a cat
LaRochelle, David
Paper Book
What happens when a cat tries to be a dog? With this second wry primer, the creators of See the Cat return to demonstrate that standing in for a friend can be trickier than expected. The dog is sick today, but have no fear--the cat is happy to take his place! But when the...
Sydney & Taylor explore the whole wide world
Davies, Jacqueline
Paper Book
Best-selling author Jacqueline Davies tells the story of two unlikely friends: Sydney and Taylor, a skunk and a hedgehog who strike out to discover the great unknown, despite how afraid they are of it. Charming illustrations and a laugh-out-loud story make this chapter book perfect for fans...
Yasmin the scientist
Faruqi, Saadia
Paper Book
Everyone seems to have an idea for the science fair except for Yasmin! After some failed experiments, Yasmin's snack break with Nani inspires an idea. Together they use kitchen science for sweet success!
Pizza and Taco : who's the best?
Shaskan, Stephen
Paper Book
The first in a hilarious young graphic novel series about Pizza and Taco. Two best friends, lots of toppings...but only one of them can be the BEST, right? Fans of Narwhal and Jelly will eat this book up...and be hungry for more! Best friends are the BEST! But WHO is the BEST? Is...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Happy paws
Fang, Vicky
Paper Book
Meet rock star Layla and her team of Bots!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will...
Unlikely friends
Feuti, Norman
Paper Book
Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award winner! "What do you get when you cross a crusty alligator and a perky bird? A surprising friendship you'll be sure to cheer for. Beak and Ally is a warm, funny winner!" --Terri Libenson, author of the New York Times bestselling Emmie & Friends series<...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Geraldine Pu and her lunchbox, too!
Chang, Maggie P.
Paper Book
Meet spunky, funny, and friendly Geraldine Pu as she takes on a bully and makes a new friend in this first book in a new Level 3 Ready-to-Read Graphics series! Geraldine Pu's favorite part of school is lunch. She loves her lunch box, which she calls Biandang. She can't wait to...
Do you like my bike?
Feuti, Norman
Paper Book
Hedgehog has a new bike!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence...
Zip, zoom!
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Ty can't wait to ride his brand-new scooter at the park. Other kids zip and zoom by like race cars, but all Ty can do is wobble! Ty wants to give up, but a new friend helps Ty give it another try. A 2021 Geisel Honor Book! Celebrate imagination and the power of persistence in Ty's Travels:...
Vivi loves science : wind and water
Derting, Kimberly
Paper Book
Vivi loves science! In this STEM-themed Level 3 I Can Read! title, Vivi helps her community clean up the beach after a storm and learns about how wind and water shape the landscape. A great choice for aspiring scientists, new readers, and fans of Andrea Beaty's Ada Twist, Scientist. Includes...
The funny book
Madan, Vikram
Paper Book
Bobo and Pup-Pup both love books! This FUNNY book is by Geisel Honor winner, Vikram Madan. Perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie who are ready to graduate to two new buddies! A super funny book has Pup-Pup laughing out loud!! Bobo wants to read it so he can laugh...
The spider
Gravel, Elise
Paper Book
Part of a series of hilarious nonfiction about disgusting creatures, this book looks at the spider. It covers such topics as the spider's habitats (pretty much everywhere but outer space), the silk it spins (it can trap prey and makes a nifty bowtie), and its parenting practice (female spiders carry...
Fitz and Cleo
Stutzman, Jonathan
Paper Book
It's time to celebrate in the third installment of the delightful and hilarious early reader graphic novel series, Fitz and Cleo, from the dynamo team behind Llama Destroys the World, perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie and Narwhal & Jelly. Fitz and Cleo are in...
National Geographic Readers: Let's Play
National Geographic Kids
Paper Book
Rowdy puppies, playful kittens, curious otters, and adorable cubs - these are the cute critters you'll find in National Geographic's latest reader bind-up! Through text features such as vocabulary trees and the wrap-up activities for each story, kids are introduced to new words and concepts -...
Baloney and friends
Pizzoli, Greg
Paper Book
Meet Baloney! This book is about him. And also Peanut the horse, his best friend. There's Bizz the bumblebee, too, of course. And Krabbit. He'd rather not be here, but what can you do? In this graphic novel for young readers, watch our pig protagonist perform some questionable magic, cheer him on as...
Cornbread & Poppy
Cordell, Matthew
Paper Book
An IndieBound Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year * A 2022 Kirkus Best Children's Book ★ "A rewarding choice for young readers."--Booklist, starred review ★"Cornbread and Poppy are endearing...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

A walk in the dark and other scary stories
Brallier, Max
Paper Book
Jump into these spine-chilling stories from New York Times bestselling author Max Brallier, perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read...
Doggo and Pupper
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
An old dog has to welcome a new puppy to the household, in this chapter book by #1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate with a brightly colored palette from Charlie Alder. Doggo is used to things being a certain way in his family. He likes routine. Cat...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Simon and Chester : super detectives!
Atkinson, Cale
Paper Book
A ghost and a kid team up to solve mysteries and kick butt! A hilarious new graphic novel series for fans of Bad Guys and Dog Man. Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire. They like to kick butt and take names. They don't like chores. They are best friends. And...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Picture perfect
Jules, Jacqueline
Paper Book
Sofia is sick of looking exactly like her sisters. She wants to stand out! And when school picture day comes around, Sofia thinks of the perfect way to make that happen.

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Tide pool troubles
Anstee, Ashlyn
Paper Book
There isn't a mystery that Shelby & Watts can't solve! They're saving the environment, one case at a time. Meet Shelby & Watts! Shelby loves a good mystery. And her best friend, Watts, is never without his encyclopedia. When Shelby gets a letter from Fred the hermit...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

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2nd-3rd grade reading level, but excellent ideas for all readers, students can vote on their favorite title each spring


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