Books for Progressing Readers, Fountas & Pinnell Level I, J & DRA 16 - 20

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!

I Want My Hate Back by Jon Klassen

Hush! A Thai Lullabye by Minfong Ho

Rap A Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles - Think of That! by Leo & Diane Dillon

Blackout by John Rocco

We're Going On A Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury

Noisy, Nora by Rosemary Wells

Leo The Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus

A Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

Harry, The Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant

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? 

Books to Read After BOB books

Fountas & Pinnell Level E/F, DRA 8-10

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 reward 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!

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

Not A Stick and Not A Box by Antoinette Portis

You Are (Not) Small! Boxed Set by Anna Kang. If you want to dip your toe in, try You Are (Not) Small first.

Today Is Monday by Eric Carle

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle

A Color of His Own By Leo Lionni. F

Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold. (f)

The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra Barracca and Sal Barracca, Illustrated by Mark Buehner. (E)

This Is the House That Jack Built by Simms Taback. (F)

The Cat and the Bird in the Hat by Norman Bridwell. (E)

This Little Chick by John Lawrence. (e)

My Favorite Bear by Andrea Gabriel. (e)

Mama Cat Has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming. (f)

Other book on this exact level include:

• The Ear Book

• Go, Dog Go

• Inside Outside Upside Down

• Pete the Cat and the Surprise Teacher

• Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach

• Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School

If your new reader becomes interested in Pete then pair these books with nighttime read-alouds, that you read to your child. Another classic and general crowd pleaser to read after BOB books is Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.