Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

I remember reading this book when I was in school and enjoying it even then. I reread this to my students who were engaged the whole time. We all laughed at the end. The funny Gorilla walks behind the guard who is saying good night to all the animals in the zoo. The guards wife gets a huge surprise when all the zoo animals are in their bedroom. I guarantee you will enjoy this one.

The Missing Piece Meets the BIG O By Shel Silverstein

I have to admit that I am a fan of Shel Silverstein and have been since 8th grade. I love The Missing Piece. It has a lot of different layers that affect me each time. One of the meanings that I read into it is that you have to complete yourself before you can be happy with another person. Another person cannot change you, you must change yourself. Great for someone who is having a hard time with dating or fitting in.

Stephanie's Ponytail By Robert Munsch

One day Stephanie decided that she wanted to be different from the other kids in her school by wearing a ponytail. When she gets to school the other kids tell her the ponytail is ugly. Stephanie, being a strong willed individual, tells them she doesn't care what they think, she likes it. The next day Stephanie goes to school everyone is wearing ponytails just like Stephanie. The next morning Stephanie wants a side ponytail and everyone tells her it is ugly but the very next day they have side ponytails. This keeps going until Stephanie is so sick of all the copycats that she tells them she is going to shave her head! Everyone shaves their heads except Stephanie. This story sends a great message, that is best to be yourself. The kids in my class liked this story and I laughed when I read it.

The Lamb Who Came for Dinner by Steve Smallman

This story enchanted both me and my students. We loved it! We all wanted to read the story again and again. A hungry wolf gets an unexpected surprise from a little lost lamb. The wolf decides to make some lamb stew for dinner. The little lamb gets some hiccups and the wolf can't eat a hiccuping lamb, he might get indigestion. After finally getting rid of the hiccups the little lamb is tired and snuggles with the wolf. The wolf has never been snuggled with before and feels his heart start to melt. Before his heart melts all the way he starts smelling the delicious sent of lamb. He then remembers he was hungry but before he eats the little lamb he kicks her out of his house. The poor wolf has such a big heart he can't imagine the little lamb out there all alone so he saves her. I promise you won't be disappointed in this book.

On your way to kindergarten books

Here are some books that your new kindergarten student might like to read before they go. Hope they help!

Tom goes to kindergarten by Margaret Wild and David Legge

Tom always wants him parents to play with him but they are too busy. He's excited to go to Kindergarten where he will have friends to play with. The whole family goes to drop Tom off at kindergarten, when it comes time for Tom's family to leave Tom doesn't want him too. The teacher invites them to stay and so they do. They have so much fun that the next day they want to stay at kindergarten but they have to leave. After that they can't wait for Tom to come home so they can play.

Countdown to kindergarten by Alison McGhee and Harry Bliss

The little girl in this story is is BIG trouble! She doesn't know how to tie her shoes. The rummer going around is that when you go to kindergarten you are not allowed to ask for help to tie your shoes. She has ten days before school to learn. Will she make it? The little girl has a big personality in this book and is really funny. This is one of my favorite kindergarten books.

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing

This book follows the classic night before Christmas poem. The children go to kindergarten and have a wonderful time playing and singing but the parents are having a problem leaving their little ones. They get tears in their eyes and give one last hug before they go.

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! by Nancy Carlson

Henry is going to Kindergarten. He's a little nervous but his mom helps him remember all the things he knows. She also tells him the things he might expect while he's there. Henry is feeling confident by the time they get to school but when he looks in and sees all the students he wants to go back home. His teacher invites him to come look around the classroom. Henry looks around and sees a lot of things that he already knows, numbers and letters. then he gets enough confidence to stay. This book would be great for kids who are a little anxious about the first day of kindergarten.

Kindergarten ABC by Jacqueline Rogers

This is a look and find book using the abc's. The students in the book talk about the different objects they see while in kindergarten. This book introduces vocabulary that your child might not know.

Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London

Froggy is back for another adventure. With school being just around the corner I thought you might like to hear about a book about school. Froggy starts out by having a nightmare about school. He is anxious about what is going to happen. He gets to school and being a typical boy has a hard time sitting but he makes it through with flying colors. This is a humorous story that might help your child get ready for school.

Pirates Don't Change Diapers by Melinda Long and David Shannon

The pirates are back in another fun filled book! Jeremy's mom has gone to the store and left Jeremy, his dad, and his baby sister when the pirates come knocking on the door. Fortunately dad is asleep but Jeremy's little sister isn't. The pirates learn what it takes to be a babysitter. They have a lot of learning to do. In the end it all works out. I love these books! They are fabulous. I get a kick out of them.

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long

Jeremy Jacob and his family are at the beach one day when what should appear but a pirate ship. Jeremy attempts to tell his parents about the ship but they were too busy setting everything up. The pirates come ashore and Jeremy soon becomes one of them. Jeremy learns all about how to be a pirate and how great it is. No one to tell you to brush your teeth, when to go to bed, or what to eat. He loves it until bed time. When Jeremy learns that pirates don't read bedtime stories, give kisses, or tuck in little boys he wants to go home. This story is hilarious. The illustrations are wonderful. This book is on my top 5 greatest books.

Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton

This is one of those books that I can read over and over again and it still feels like the first time I've read it. The pictures are engaging. I love this book! Russell is a sheep who can't sleep. Poor guy is an insomniac. He tries to think of ways to fall asleep but he has no luck. He finally counts sheep to fall asleep and it works, unfortunately it's a little late and everyone else is awake. I like the pictures so well I would like some prints for my daughters room.

No, David! by David Shannon

"A few years ago, my mother sent me a book I made when I was a little boy. It was called No, David, and it was illustrated with drawings of David doing all sorts of things he wasn't supposed to do. The text consisted entirely of the words "no" and "David." (They were the only words I knew how to spell.) I thought it would be fun to do a remake celebrating those familiar variations of the universal "no" that we all hear while growing. Of course, "yes" is a wonderful word...but "yes" doesn't keep crayon off the living room wall."
-- David Shannon

I enjoyed this book. It was a humorous take on very active little boys. I'm not sure how the house survived David, from playing baseball in the house to playing pirates in the bathtub. In the end David does get a 'yes' from his mother and it melted my heart. My husband read this book to our daughter and was not impressed with the book. He wasn't a fan of the drawings. I enjoyed the drawings though.

eyelike shapes

They have a complete line of these books; colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. I only have the colors and shapes but would jump at the chance to buy the others. These books let children explore the world around them. The Shapes book also includes patterns. Your child will find shapes in places they never knew existed. The pictures are amazing!

eyelike colors

This book is a colorful adventure. It shows all the colors in their natural environment. The book displays the spectrum of each color. It also has poems to go along with the colors. Each page is bright, vibrant, and can hold any child's attention. Even my 8 month old will look at all the colors and pictures. Great teaching tool for kids.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

This book would be a great gift for someone special in your life. Big Nutbrown Hare is about to put Little Nutbrown Hare to sleep when Little Nutbrown Hare tries to explain how much he loves Big Nutbrown Hare. At first he loves him as far as his arms can stretch. Then to the river and back. In the end he loves him as far as the moon. Good story to read to a child to express how much you love them.