Teacher Recommended: First Grade Books
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These teacher recommended first grade books are sure to make your classroom or homeschool bookshelves!
First grade students are beginning to read on their own as well as participate in guided reading. When I am looking for the best books to read with first grade students, I love to ask the experts. Those are the people right in the thick of teaching: first grade teachers and homeschool moms!
These great books for first graders are perfect early readers for kids. They help them transition from picture books to chapter books. They still have colorful illustrations, and simple words, but are great to help kids gain confidence in reading on their own.
Favorite First Grade Books
Elephant and Piggie book series by Mo Willems
Teachers and parents love this series in their classrooms because of the sweet characters (Gerald the Elephant and Piggie). The books are also helpful to teach about opposites (Gerald is a careful worrier while Piggie is fun-loving and carefree). Mo Willems is not only a fantastic author; he also illustrates these adorable books that will engage young readers. Once your students devour Elephant and Piggie, start them on the other Willems’s series, the Pigeon books.
by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
In the first Junie B. Jones book, she is a kindergartener. In this book, Junie is a vivacious first grader. She has kept kids laughing for two decades now. The main character is not a perfect angel, but she’s a realistic character that all first graders can relate to. Share these fun books with a new generation of first graders and continue to follow Junie as she grows up!
The Night Before First Grade by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Deborah Zemke
What a perfect way to start first grade (or end kindergarten)! This delightful book parodies The Night Before Christmasand focuses on building excitement for a new group of first graders. Moving from Kindergarten to first grade is a big leap for many students academically and emotionally. , Books that can help that transition between these levels should be on every first grade teacher’s list!
Sheep Won’t Sleep: Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s by Judy Cox, illustrated by Nina Cueno
I love using books to teach math. Integrating curriculum saves time and helps students make connections. This creative story is perfect for a read aloud during math lessons on counting and beginning problem solving. Encourage your students to count other objects to practice after reading about counting these adorable sheep!
Bob Books: Sight Words, 1st Grade by Lynn Maslen Kertell, illustrated by Sue Hendra
These simple readers are perfect for teaching and practicing sight words in first grade. Since these books are portable, they are wonderful for independent reading time or take home reading folders. Each book focuses on specific sight words, so you can hand out them out to students for practice. Try these out with your emergent readers.
Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
These books are level two readers, but are some of my favorites to read to young children. They are engaging and the stories are just so much fun! Pretty much anything by this author is a great choice!
Little Bear series by Elsa Holmelund Minarik
This series is a great classic series for young readers. The stories are sweet and I love the relationship between Little Bear and his Mother. These books are perfect for all young readers.
Pete the Cat series by James Dean
These books are fun and hilarious! Kids love them and adults love reading them. Books like these are perfect to spark a love of reading in kids.
Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne
These books are perfect start chapter books for kids. We have read and loved these for years at our house. Plus they all have an educational theme helping kids learn cool things!
Any of the I Can Read Level 1 Books. Some of our favorites include:
Berenstain Bears Learning to Read Box Set by Stan Berenstain
These books include easy to read stories about the adventures of the Berenstain Bears! We all love their silly adventures.
Amelia Bedelia boxed set #2 (#1 is level 2) by Herman Parish
These books are all about Amelia Bedelia as a kid. She has always made us giggle at our house!
Padington Collector’s Quintet by by Michael Bond and R. W Alley-
This is a set of 5 books about the favorite character Padington! All of the books included easy to read stories for early readers.
These teacher recommended 1st grade books will help your students enjoy practicing their reading comprehension and fluency skills. You’ll love to share these engaging books with your young readers!
See more of my book lists:
Second Grade Books
3rd Grade Books
Fourth Grade Books
Fifth Grade Books
Must Read Classics
Books for Tween Girls
Books for Tween Boys
