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Seattle Picks: New Readers - Just Beginning

The child who is just beginning to read is learning to sound out words, is learning to recognize a handful of sight words, and is becoming comfortable with very simple books. Most of the books on this list come from our Early Reader collection (ER) and feature large type, easy words, short simple sentences, and lots of rhythm, rhyme and repetition - great for the budding reader! Annotations are adapted from the catalog. (Updated November 2023)

The Seattle Public Library

26 items

  • Amana enjoys doing arts and crafts at school.
    BookMinneapolis : Lerner Publications, [2023] — ER BORGERT-SP
  • Will a flat tire and loose bike chain keep Ace from finishing the big bike race?
    BookNew York : Acorn/Scholastic Inc., 2022. — ER BRIMNER
  • With water from his canteen, a young boy helps folks and critters he encounters on a hot day.
    BookNew York : Holiday House, [2023] — ER CEPEDA
  • A little creature and five friends find creative ways to get to a party.
    Graphic NovelNew York : Holiday House, [2023] — J-GN EMBERLEY
  • Using his look-alike doll, Fox tries to trick his friend Pig, with unexpected results.
    BookNew York : Penguin Workshop, [2020] — ER FENSKE
  • It’s Dot’s 5th birthday – she’s looking for her friends to celebrate with, but she can’t spot them anywhere. Where can they be?
    BookNew York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2023. — ER GEORGE
  • Sam encourages his friend May to participate in a soccer game.
    BookNew York : Holiday House, [2020] — ER JANOVIT
  • Though a bath is needed, Nat the Cat thinks of lots of ways to delay the inevitable.
    BookNew York : Simon Spotlight, 2023. — ER LERNER
  • Two friends take to the ice, where Horse’s overconfidence leads to a spectacular fall, but a quick recovery.
    BookNew York : Holiday House, [2022] — ER LONG
  • Will rain dampen the family’s camping plans? Not if Ty can help it! In the 'I Can Read Comics' series for beginning readers.
    BookNew York, NY : Harper Alley, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2023] — J-GN LYONS
  • Two best friends don’t always see eye-to-eye, but they solve their conflicts with creative play. An "I Like to Read" graphic novel.
    Graphic NovelNew York : Holiday House, [2023] — J-GN MADAN
  • A curious dog stays up all night, watching the moon and some bats, waiting for the morning and breakfast with his boy.
    BookNew York : Holiday House, 2023. — ER MEISEL
  • Little robot Otto does his utmost to befriend a bird.
    BookNew York : Simon Spotlight, 2023. — ER MILGRIM
  • Kids work together to give back to their community.
    BookNew York : Random House, [2023] — ER PENFOLD
  • Though they’re in different grades, a brother and sister enjoy their first day of school together.
    BookNew York : Random House, [2022] — ER RANSOM
  • It Is Time

    the Life of a Caterpillar

    Rockwell, Lizzy
    Follow along the life cycle of a butterfly.
    BookNew York : Holiday House, 2023. — J595.78139 R594i 2023
  • From stargazing to baking to doing math, these friends demonstrate the different ways they are born to be awesome.
    BookNew York : Random House, [2023] — ER ROE
  • Cat finds lots of colors as he explores -- and beginning readers can follow along through the simple words and detailed illustrations.
    BookNew York : Holiday House, [2021] — ER RUSSO
  • Fish’s mom says worms are dinner, but Fish finds a new friend instead. In the 'I Can Read Comics' series for beginning readers.
    BookNew York, NY : HarperAlley, [2023] — J-GN RUZZIER
  • Meet sheep that can swim, dive, play pirates and more, in this silly, tongue-twisty reader.
    BookNew York : Simon Spotlight, 2020. — ER SELTZER