Engaging Books for Beginning and Progressing Readers: Fountas & Pinnell Level G, H & DRA Level 12 - 14

There's a lot of controversy about sharing a child's reading level. I like to think of it this way: you would never walk into an advanced tennis class before picking up a racket, right? You want to practice new skills on your skill level in a way that teaches the concepts you are working on while also challenging you to the extent that makes you feel engaged, confident and ready to try again.

Learning to read is similar. My short advice: let kids explore all books, while also reading a few books on their reading level to stretch and grow their skills. Present the leveled books as a gift and a special time together rather than a punishment. My hope is that these lists help parents provide the right books for their kids so that all kids become confident readers!

Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty. 

Pouch! by David Ezra Stein.

Swimmy By Leo Lionni. 

Draw Me A Star by Eric Carle. 

A Kiss for Little Bear by Maurice Sendak. 

Are you Ready to Play Outside?  Mo Willems

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. 

Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang.

The Pidgeon Has Feelings, Too! Mo Willems

Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr, Eric Carle. 

The Carrott Seed by Ruth Krauss

Freight Train by Donald Crews

For other books on a Level G/H consider the favorites by Mo Williams. The appropriate titles on this particular level include I Really Like Slop, The Big Guy Took My Ball, There Is a Bird on Your Head and Are You Ready to Play Outside?