ALPHABET books: help students learn the sequence of the alphabet, along with pictures or words that represent each letter
K is for Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet By: Kristen Kane Picture Book Summary: From A – Z this book explains something special to Pennsylvania. Each letter describes a place, historical person or event, or a monument that has to do with the state of Pennsylvania. There is a small, fun, and rhyming description as well as a longer description with more detail and explanation for each topic, A through Z. Interest Level: Pre-K to 2nd Grade Grade Level/Reading Level: 2.4 (2nd Grade 4 Months)
Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC By: June Sobel Picture Book Summary: A group of animal pirates are on a quest to find every letter in the alphabet. Alligator, the captain, will make them walk the plank off of the boat if they do not find every letter! Finally, they find “Z” when they all fall asleep! This book is a fun way for kids to learn and practice their ABC’s. Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Grade Level/Reading Level: 2.4 (2nd Grade 4 Months)
COUNTING books: expose students to mathematical reasoning and concepts through literary elements
Feast for 10 By: Cathryn Falwell Picture Book Summary: A mother and her children are going into the grocery store. Things in the store are pointed out in numbers as they go through and shop! Once they get to 10 the family is loading up their car to go home. Then, they start over with counting out things while they prepare for dinner. Finally, they end the book and their night with 10 family members all sitting down and enjoying the food. Interest Level: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Grade Level/Reading Level: 1.0 (beginning of 1st Grade)
Each Orange Had 8 Slices By: Paul Giganti Jr. Picture Book Summary: On each page, an object or objects are broken down into three segments. How many objects there were, a characteristic each object had, and then another trait of that characteristic each object had. All of the objects are there on the page as well. Therefore, if the students cannot yet do the math, they can count it out. Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Grade Level/Reading Level: 2.3 (2nd Grade 3 Month)
A Very Improbable Story: A Math Adventure By: Edward Einhorn Picture Book Summary: Ethan woke up with a cat named Odds on his head. Odds could also talk and told Ethan that if won a game of probability then he would get off of his head! First trying with a jar of coins, then marbles, and then his socks, Ethan realized the odds were all too low of him winning. Finally, he won the odds when playing with dog treats. Odds got off of Ethan’s head and Ethan learned that he could use this math to win his soccer game. Interest Level: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Grade Level/Reading Level: 3.2 (3rd Grade 2 Months