Halcyon Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 My 4 yo started reading on his own a few months ago, and really enjoys the Little Bear and Owl at Home books. Contrary to his brother, who enjoyed more humorous or adventuresome books, my little guy likes sweet, good-natured books like Little Bear that focus on kindness, gentleness and friendship. Unfortunately for my budget, he's not interested in most of the 40+ readers I own, so we're going to utilize the library and used book fairs to gather up readers for him that he enjoys. Can you suggest books along the lines of Little Bear that he might enjoy? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 The Frog and Toad books come to mind. They have very different personalities, and are very good friends. I'm sure there are more, but it's been awhile since we've "been there". I'll keep thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 The Frog and Toad books come to mind. They have very different personalities, and are very good friends. I'm sure there are more, but it's been awhile since we've "been there". I'll keep thinking. Oh yes! why didn't I think of these! Thank you, keep em coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Ds liked Danny and the Dinosaur and Harry the Dirty Dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in Florida Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 When my girls were little they liked "Good-bye Arnold" by P.K. Roche and "My Mama Had a Dancing Heart" by Libba and Colon. They were both very sweet books. "Arnold" is about two brother mice and the big brother goes to visit Grandma at first the little brother is glad his bossy brother is gone and then he misses him. ETA: Oops, just realized you wanted readers not picture books. You might try the Amelia Bedelia books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Anything by McCloskey -- Blueberries for Sal, Make Way for Ducklings, Time of Wonder, etc...my 3 yo, now 4 yo loves these. After reading the stories, she will look at the illustrations over and over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 The Snipp, Snapp, Snurr books are adorable. They're about boy triplets in Sweden many years ago. They're companion books to the Flicka, Ricka, Dicka series about girl triplets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 Ds liked Danny and the Dinosaur and Harry the Dirty Dog. We have these; he likes these fine, but not in love with them, like he is with Little Bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 Anything by McCloskey -- Blueberries for Sal, Make Way for Ducklings, Time of Wonder, etc...my 3 yo, now 4 yo loves these. After reading the stories, she will look at the illustrations over and over. Yep, we have all of these, and he loves them, but he's unable to read them on his own yet. He does love them though :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usetoschool Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Might be a little beyond his reading level for now, but for friendship and sweetness you can't beet Toot and Puddle. We also like the Henry and Mudge series and the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, both by Cynthia Rylant. They are both around 1st-3rd grade reading level, depending on the particular book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi @ Mt Hope Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby books all by Cynthia Rylant The Fire Cat by Esther Averill Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole books by Wong Herbert Yee Edited March 12, 2010 by Heidi @ Mt Hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 The Seven Silly Eaters is my all time favorite kids book at that age. I can practically recite the whole thing from memory. Peach and Blue is a wonderful and sweet book (but it does have a theme involving death -- or at least the rotting of the main Peach) Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep is very sweet. Dogger is also fabulous and gentle. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Owen One of Each Only the Cat Saw Little Beauty -- based on the true story of a gorilla and his pet kitten Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch -- very sweet Henry Hikes to Fitchburg is a great choice. Based on Henry David Thoreau. Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 We like these at our home...very cute...Dragon Books. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 I'll add Kate books by Kay Chorao to the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Frog and Toad Are Friends George and Martha Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge series, & The Liighthouse Family series. The Storm is the first. Rylant is fabulous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Jane Hissey picture books are wonderful! I can't remember the reading level, so they may be read-alouds. They are not to be missed! Titles include: Old Bear, Little Bear's Trousers and Ruff. So sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Frog and Toad Mr. Putter and Tabby Oliver the Pig I think the closest ones will be the Mr. Putter and Tabby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Agree with anything by Cynthia Rylant. I also like the Iris and Walter series by Elissa Haden Guest. And the Minnie and Moo series by Denis Cazet. Cinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Agree with anything by Cynthia Rylant. I also like the Iris and Walter series by Elissa Haden Guest. And the Minnie and Moo series by Denis Cazet. Has anyone mentioned the "Bunny" series by Focus on the Family? It's been over 15 years but it's worth checking if they still sell them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Already mentioned, but I'll give another thumbs up for Mr. Putter & Tabby. My ds adored these books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in WA Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 This is probably more of you reading to him... The Billy and Blaze books are my son's most favorite. And he's 4yo :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 My six year old STILL loves George and Martha books. The big one with all the books in one is his favorite book to lug on car trips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanestMomInMidwest Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but it remains my favorite book. I know it by heart and all my children have loved it. The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaMa2005 Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 The Frog and Toad books come to mind. They have very different personalities, and are very good friends. I'm sure there are more, but it's been awhile since we've "been there". I'll keep thinking. My son cried crocodile tears when we finished all the Frog and Toad books. He just couldn't understand why there weren't more of them. His logic - just go back to the library and get some more. Couldn't quite get across that there were no more written!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 http://tanglewoodeducation.com/bksrd.htm My DD loved these suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Frances, by Russell Hoban-a bit harder than Frog and Toad, but same idea. We love Frances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gandpsmommy Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Your son's style sounds similar to what my dd liked at that age. Some of her favorite readers (besides Little Bear) were: Poppleton Pig series by Cynthia Rylant Mr. Putter and Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant Amanda and Oliver Pig series by Jean Van Leuwen One Saturday Morning, One Saturday Afternoon, and One Saturday Evening by Barbara Baker Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel Edited March 12, 2010 by gandpsmommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 My son cried crocodile tears when we finished all the Frog and Toad books. He just couldn't understand why there weren't more of them. His logic - just go back to the library and get some more. Couldn't quite get across that there were no more written!!! Aww.... How sweet. Check out the Mouse and Mole books by Wong Herbert Yee and check out the dedication in "Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole" -- he dedicates the book to fans of mice and mole! Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson and books by Elsa Beskow are also very sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougarmom4 Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 What about the older Arthur books. Not the ones like the TV show but the older ones with Arthur the monkey and his sister. Sorry, the author's name is slipping my mind. But they are very sweet & remind me of the Little Bear type of books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 The Little Bear books by Martin Waddell: Can't You Sleep Little Bear You and Me, Little Bear Let's Go Home Little Bear Well Done, Little Bear (aka Good Job, Little Bear) Sleep Tight Little Bear The Alfie Books by Shirley Hughes and Dogger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 "Grandpa Bear's Fantastic Scarf" "I Love You As Much" "The Mitten" (Jan Brett) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Franklin books? I don't know what reading level they are for but the stories are pretty sweet and always have a lesson to be learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Jane Hissey's Old Bear Stories are still my favourite. I ditto Shirley Hughes who has already been mentioned. Can't go wrong with her books for young children. Be aware that she also writes for older kids so don't just auto request everything in the library catalogue LOL. I ditto Ryant's Mr Putter and Tabby series as well as Frog & Toad. (btw, there's an ancient video version of Frog and Toad which has in the special features depictions of how they did the stop motion clay animation. It wonderful. My kids watched that as much as they watched the actual show.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom, and others in that series. Adorable, and the drawings are so rich with loving connection between the members of the family. Angus and the Ducks, by Marjorie Flack and the other titles in that series. Millions of Cats by Wanda Ga'g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Millions of Cats by Wanda Ga'g. Well, I'd preview this one -- some children might find it scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Any of Margaret Wise Brown's books. Pussy Willow is a favorite and hard to find. It is very sweet. Morgan Freeman, we love his stories, especially Corduroy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 The Poppleton series by Cynthia Rylant is hilarious - the first time we read them I noticed my older kids were hanging around wanting to hear what was going to happen next, lol. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is a wonderful story! We have read through two copies of that one. Little Chick's Story by Mary DeBall Kwitz is a very sweet read - we have gone through a copy of that one as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I also meant to say, some of Ezra Jack Keats' books are very sweet. I found "Louie" to be an interesting read, but also "Snowy Day" and "Whistle for Willie," and I am sure there are others ("Apt. 3" and "Goggles" are a bit scary). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 Franklin the Turtle books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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