Updated February 2024
Over the last few years as I’ve learned about evidence-based reading instruction, something I’ve seen over and over is the importance of vocabulary and content knowledge. With kindergarten kids, this isn’t something they can independently get from their reading material (while “The cat sits” is fantastic for decoding practice it’s a teeny bit superficial) so teachers are responsible for providing this information through lessons and read-alouds.
In terms of lessons, I’ve found free units from Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) really helpful (we studied The Five Senses and Plants one year, for example, and Farms and Taking Care of the Earth the next year), and I’ve always done rich read-alouds of picture books, but I’m selecting them even more carefully now, building text sets on topics of study like dinosaurs, Canada and building/construction. I’ve also started writing explicit vocabulary and comprehension lessons for picture books (focusing on more recent titles that offer some diversity), like this one for Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, this one for Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, and this one for Hana’s Hundreds of Hijabs by Razeena Omar Gutta.
To take things to the next level, I decided to also maximize the time we have each day while the kids are enjoying their snacks and use it for chapter book read-alouds. I read one chapter in the morning and one in the afternoon, and they still have a few minutes to chat each time. (Don’t worry about their opportunities for socialization: they have classroom play in both am and pm as well as three outdoor recesses and they can talk with friends as they eat lunch too!)
Below I’m sharing some chapter books we enjoyed as a class since beginning this new routine – of course you can read these to older students as well, and they’re also great ideas for home, not only school!
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
This series can’t be beat for the combination of age-appropriateness and nonfiction information as young siblings Jack and Annie travel the world. We read six instalments this year (DInosaurs Before Dark, Polar Bears Past Bedtime, DIngoes at Dinnertime, Midnight on the Moon, Mummies in the Morning and Pirates Past Noon) but there are 60+ titles so there’s something for everyone, and lots to keep the most avid readers stocked!
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
I read this beautiful story to my Grade 3 class many times and wasn’t sure how the kinders would enjoy it, but with lots of explicit vocabulary instruction and frequent review of Edward’s journey they were able to follow along. (I even managed to hold back my tears at the sad parts.) Other wonderful read-alouds from this author include The Tale of Despereaux, Because of Winn-Dixie and…
Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo
Short, funny chapters. We read the first in the series, Mercy Watson Fights Crime.
Ruby and the Booker Boys – Brand New School, Brave New Ruby by Derrick Barnes
This is a fun story – the first in a series – about a young girl determined not to be sidelined by her three older brothers when she joins their school.
Natalie the Christmas Stocking Fairy by Daisy Meadows
If you’re looking for “literature”, this is not that. (The very prolific “Daisy Meadows” is credited with HUNDREDS of Rainbow Magic fairy books.) I chose this for two reasons – one because I wanted something fun and seasonal right before Christmas break, and two because these books were the first chapter books my daughters read independently when they were in kindergarten. The fact that the broad outline of the plot is the exact same in every one of the books, with a different fairy to the rescue each time, lends a familiarity that kids love, so it was a chance to introduce a series that may hook a young reader.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery adapted for younger readers by Shelley Tanaka
While the unabridged book would have been too much for my class, this lightly adapted version of the Canadian classic was perfect.
Nancy Clancy by Jane O’Connor
Ever since my girls were little I have loved the Fancy Nancy picture books for their sophisticated vocabulary (and a bit of French flair). The chapter books are just as good; we read the first one, shown above.
Too Small Tola by Atinuke
The tales of a small but mighty girl growing up with her family in Lagos, Nigeria. Lots of “English” vocabulary was new to the kids – flats, lorry, nappies, etc.
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
Kids love Roald Dahl’s humour, and this book has nice short chapters and some lessons to be gleaned.
Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-To-Be Best Friend by Dawn Quigley
The first in a series about a spunky little Ojibwe girl (the second one, Fancy Pants, is also available).
Hurry, Freedom by Frieda Wishinsky
The Canadian Flyer Adventures is a great series with historical content, and this particular title is an age-appropriate way to talk to kids about slavery (Harriet Tubman is featured along with the fictional characters).
The Secret Explorers Series by S. J. King
This series was recommended to me by a Twitter follower when I first shared my chapter book recos and it’s gold! It’s got a Magic Tree House content-knowledge-building feel to it, with diverse characters, and it’s quite current – the first book came out in 2020. So far we’ve read “The Jurassic Rescue” and “The Plant Poachers”.
The Wizard of Oz: Stepping Stones Chapter Book by L. Frank Baum, adapted by Daisy Alberto
An adapted version of the classic with no shortage of Tier 2 vocabulary.
Dragon Masters series by Tracey West
Short, fast-paced chapters and crowd-pleasing subject matter!
Megabat by Anne Humphrey
Very cute story about a boy and a bat (I laughed and cried while reading it), written by a Canadian author. Great opportunities for vocab and knowledge-building. We read the first three books this year – so good.
Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay
Magical animals, science, mystery and adventure – what’s not to love? Lots of Tier 2 vocabulary and knowledge-building opportunities as well, and the kids love Zoey!
Meet Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Hatem Aly
This is a super cute book about a Pakistani-American second-grader with a lot of character! There are four mini “books” in this book, and we were able to read one per snacktime. Many more books in this series too!
*****
I’m pleased that this list is more diverse (in terms of authors and subject matter) than when I first began reading chapter books to the students, but I continue to be on the lookout to continue growing my collection in that regard.
Always happy to receive new ideas!
Hi Kate, we read Jo-Jo Makoons: The Used-to-be Best Friend last spring (while virtual) and it was a hit with our kindergarten crew! Although American, it’s a story about an Indigenous kid told from her perspective. We loved it. She’s sassy and funny and kind.
The Dragon Master series was a huge hit with my grade 2/3 class. We got to number 21 in the series just by reading to them during snack time. I love that it held the interest of both boys and girls. Many kids went out and bought copies for themselves.
I absolutely love when I read a book to the class and then kids ask their parents to continue the series with them at home!