See that title up there? I wrote March up there first, the month has gone that fast. But no. It’s April, it’s Easter and Passover and Spring and all sorts of wonderful things – including time for another Scholastic Decoder!
Elf
I’m a Shark – this is a funny book about a shark who is busy talking about how tough he is, but is also *terrified* of spiders. Big, bold illustrations, a big dose of humour, and lots of potential for goofy dramatizing make this great for reading aloud.
Little Critter’s Big Library – I’ve always kind of had a soft spot for Little Critter, though I know some people don’t love him. Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s the understated humour, but I find these really funny, so if I didn’t already own a big storybook, I’d be looking at these.
You Are My Sunshine – a cute version of the little love song, done in board book form for sharing with tiny kids. Sweet!
Mud Puddle – An old Munsch classic – and a fun one for those of you with messy, mucky kids. I like his old material so much better.
SeeSaw
Hide and Sheep –
Munsch Favourites Pack – Again, I love Musch’s old titles best, and these five include two of my very favourites. It’s a good pack, if you want some silly read alouds your kids are pretty much certain to love.
Klutz Kits (Paper Flowers, Paper Airplanes, Face Painting) – These are great craft kits for the older end of this flyer, and come with everything you need, as well as really clear instructions. They make great gifts, too, so I like buying them here for a little less. The face painting one is also a great party idea.
Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth – I love this story about a little bunny who is determined to dig the biggest hole on earth one afternoon and her dad, who supports her ambition – within reason.
***We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – this is a classic! A favourite kid action rhyme, illustrated to great effect by the fantastic Helen Oxenbury. This is one you should have if you kids are under 6.
***Lilly and Friends Pack – I’m going to be honest here – I am a total Kevin Henkes megafan, so I will pretty much always recommend him. These are three good titles for a good price, too, though, so if you don’t own any Henkes? Yes, you bet you should choose this one.
Yes Day! – This is a really fun book, and a rather inspiring idea, I must say. The boy in the story has one day a year where the answer is yes to any ridiculous thing he comes up with. He and his parents have an insanely fun day of it, too, and reading about it is nearly as good.
Scaredy Collection – Scaredy is a squirrel – a neurotic, agoraphobic, OCD-plagued nut of a squirrel, in fact. He is also hilarious, and a massive hit with kids, making this a pack worth picking for sharing out loud.
Usborne All Over the World Pack – If you have a little adventurer or curious sort on your hands, this is a great way to introduce them to the world.
Lucky
***Charlotte’s Web – This children’s classic is a tearjerker, but a wonderful story. A really good choice for reading together, or for a stronger reader’s own reading. Either way, every kid should read this.
Magic Tree House Pack – I say it every month – this is one of the few series in this grade range that I really like. It’s consistent, which young readers like, but it’s also interesting, and a nice little introduction to different times and places in history. It’s also a good bridge from non-fiction to fiction, for kids who prefer some fact in their reading material. This set includes books 17-24, but this series is a monthly offer in various different packs, so if this isn’t the set for you, you can always wait for a different one.
Big Nate and Friends – Big Nate is a natural next read after Wimpy Kid, though some parents have commented that he might be slightly ruder. If you have a reluctant reader who is willing to read this half-graphic format, it’s a good way to keep the momentum going.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Pack and Cabin Fever Pack – This blockbuster hit need no introduction for many of you, and this month, Lucky is offering both the latest on its own, and a pack with the whole series. Kids are eating these up, and the half-text, half-graphic thing combined with serious funny is working really well for reluctant readers.
Little House Collection – Again with the honesty – I was not a huge fan of these books as a kid, but I know LOTS of people who love them, and they are certainly seriously classic fare for reading together or for a strong reader. If you think your family will want to read through them, this is a really good buy.
***The Trouble With Chickens – When I read this one to my daughter, she declared it the best book ever. Now she is a big dog lover, and this mystery stars dogs and chickens in a really fun take on noir for kids that is pitched just right for this flyer’s grade level.
***The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs – If you don’t know John Scieszka’s fractured fairy tales for kids, you really should. This is a retelling, from the wolf’s perspective, of the story, and how it was all wrong, and he was framed. Kids adore these, and they are funny enough for grownups, too.
50 Things To Draw and Paint – I like these little Usborne books of art ideas. The pictures and instructions are nice and clear, so kids can do much of this on their own by this age, and my own little grade 2 loves looking through them for ideas. These are also on frequent offer, so if this one isn’t what you’re looking for, check back next month.
Klutz Kits (Ribbon Bangles and Fabulous Flowers) – These are great craft kits, and come
with everything you need, as well as really clear instructions. They
make great gifts, too, so I like buying them here for a little less. The
face painting one is also a great party idea.
Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend – Scaredy is a squirrel – a neurotic, agoraphobic, OCD-plagued nut of a
squirrel, in fact. He is also hilarious, and a massive hit with kids,
making this worth picking for sharing out loud. Scaredy is on frequent offer, though, so if you’d prefer a pack, you can ask your teacher to order from Elf this month, or hold on for the one you want.
Winter’s Tail – This true story of a dolphin with a prosthetic tale is really interesting, and a great read, as well. Kids who love animals and non-fiction readers would enjoy this one.
***Ramona and Her Mother – I luuuurve Ramona stories. She was my very favourite character, and I am far from alone in remembering this classic fondly. Ramona is spunky, hilarious, and the earlier template for all those precocious little girls that grade 2s and 3s love to read about. (Think Clementine more than Junie B, though) Ramona does crop up every now and then, sometimes in packs, so if you want more of her than just one title, it will likely come around again.
Every Thing On It – This posthumous collection of Shel Silverstein’s is for fans of the poet. It’s a fun one (see my review here), but not an essential. His Where the Sidewalk Ends, though? Essential. Just sayin.
Arrow
The Heroes of Olympus – Books 1 and 2 are offered here separately. This is the series that happens in the same world as the smash hit Percy Jackson series, but without that character and his friends. Riordan is a fantastic writer to read, and I love that these are getting kids back into mythology.
***Holes – This Newbery winner is one that works for both kids and adults, surprisingly. I’ve had kid after kid ask for it, and loved it myself. It has a strange, mythic quality that all wraps up in the end in a wonderful, satisfying bundle that makes everything else make sense, and the trip is totally worth it. Would make for a great read-aloud as well, but kids will read it on their own.
The Hunger Games – I’m just going to say it – I think these are too old for this flyer. Sure, there are always those kids who are reading ahead, who can understand the more sophisticated aspects and tolerate the more violent parts, but on the whole, these books are categorized as teen lit with good reason, and will be there waiting when your kids reach their teen years. That said, they are hot as Hades right now, so you may well be begged for them or even want them for yourself.
Poetry for Young People pack – this is solid classic fare in terms of poetry for kids – good for introducing them to more serious poems while they are open to it, though I would recommend mixing it up with the funnier stuff from Carroll in between the more earnest stuff from Kipling so so as not to make poetry too Serious.
Milkweed – Rarely will I recommend something that I haven’t read, but in this case, Spinelli is an author with a serious track record, good writing, and a nice hand in character development, so I’m going to go ahead and say if this appeals, it’s a good bet.
Smile – need a lightweight graphic novel aimed at young girls? Here you go! This young girls is going through all the embarrassment that orthodontia can cause, so some of the older kids in this age range will totally relate.
Big Nate and Friends – Big Nate is a natural next read
after Wimpy Kid, though some parents have commented that he might be
slightly ruder. If you have a reluctant reader who is willing to read
this half-graphic format, it’s a good way to keep the momentum going.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Pack and Cabin Fever Pack
– This blockbuster hit need no introduction for many of you, and this
month, Lucky is offering both the latest on its own, and a pack with the
whole series. Kids are eating these up, and the half-text, half-graphic
thing combined with serious funny is working really well for reluctant
readers.
Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing – yes, this is the same one we read as kids, and somehow, Judy Blume’s good old favourites are still relevant, funny, and totally relateable.
***Bone Library –
The 39 Clues Boxed Set – This series is written by a stable of top drawer children’s authors, and has been keeping kids guessing in a way that is pretty amazing. If you’ve got a fan of puzzles and sleuthing, this is a great pick that they will tear through.
Science Rocks! – I love science for kids, and a book of experiments aimed at their level is a great way to foster curiosity and also teaches the skill of reading and following instructions.
Party in a Cup – This book is full of simple recipes that can be cooked right in the little silicone muffin cups that come with it. It’s a great starter kit for getting kids to cook, or a fun party idea.
***Percy Jackson Boxed Set – as mentioned above, Rick Riordan is a fantastic writer, one who moves along a plot, grabs your loyalty to his characters, and sprinkles in plenty of fun and interesting stuff. This series is a huge hit, and a great read – the first one has been made into a movie, in fact. It also centres around Greek mythology, which I love as a way to get kids into some classic stuff.
Haunted Canada pack – got a kid who loves ghost stories? So many do, it’s a frequent request in the library, and this series features stories of hauntings from across the country.
Close to Famous – this is a charming book about a girl and her mom who run away from trouble and start making a new home and connections in a new town, with cupcakes to help smoothe the way. It’s a lovely one for young bakers, or anyone who loved Because of Winn-Dixie. (I reviewed it a year ago here.)