Grades K-2

Candlewick Press, p2010, c2010
40 pages
Reading Level 2.8
Biography/Poetry: Baseball players, free verse

A biography that chronicles Henry Aaron's childhood dream of becoming a major league baseball player, Henry Aaron's Dream is uniquely told in free verse.

Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009
32 pages
Reading Level 2.4
Seasons, colors, nature

Beginning with the "cheer, cheer, cheer" of "red" singing in the spring treetops, Sidman describes each season via sights, sounds, feelings, and colors. In somewhat of a circle-story fashion, winter brings the reader back to red singing in the treetops. Color words are highlighted in boxes while written in the colors they name.

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2008
Illustrator: Kristen Balouch et. al.
72 pages
Reading Level: 2.9

Fifty-one children's poems feature selections from Nikki Giovanni, Queen Latifah, and the Sugarhill Gang. Contains an audio CD with thirty performances. Includes an index, as well.

M. Cavendish, 2005
Illustrator: David Slonim
31 pages
Reading Level: 2.3
Pets, Animals, Rhymes

This delightful collection of lighthearted poems will make any reader smile. Slonim's comical illustrations illuminate the poetry's humor and help facilitate repeated readings and viewings of the book!

Clarion Books, 2002
40 pages
Reading Level: 1.8
Dogs, Dogsitting, Opposites

Duncan stays at Little Dog's house and takes over in his own, unintended way. Little Dog displays some jealousy. When Duncan's owner returns to take Duncan home, Little Dog misses him and checks the house to ensure his own owner didn't also depart. This will delight anyone who loves animals, especially the special bond that dogs create.

Illustrator: Greg Couch
Dutton Children's Books, 2001
32 pages
Reading Level: 2.0
Summer

Children frolic as they celebrate the opportunities a glorious summer day and night present. Soft yet brilliantly-colored paintings illustrate this lyrical celebratory poem.

Houghton Mifflin, 2000
32 pages
Reading Level: 3.9

A young boy wakes up, and as he prepares for a holiday party, he listens to the outdoor sounds of snow being cleared by plows, snowblowers, and shovels. Each of the few words on the pages is an onomatopoeic representation. This is a beautiful, calming story told in poetic form.