Book 502: Sheep in a Jeep

Sheep in a Jeep, written by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple, published by HMH Books, 1986.


This book is excellent for teaching young readers about ending rhymes, because:

1.  Emerging readers can read it.
2.  Emerging readers want to read it (repeatedly)
3.  The listening adults don't mind hearing it (repeatedly)

And such fun artwork!

Book 501: The Water of Life

The Water of Life, by the Brothers Grimm, first published in 1812.


This is such a good story, but it doesn't often make it into Grimms Fairy Tale collections.  Maybe because of its length?  Anyway, this story has everything:  action, suspense, deceit, peril, gold, and a beautiful princess.

Book 500: Arthur's Reading Race

Arthur's Reading Race, by Marc Brown, Random House 1996.


A good OLD book about Arthur, reading, and family dynamics.  Arthur still looks like an animal of uncertain origin, but, other than that, the illustrations are quite good.

Book 499: Amelia Bedelia

Amelia Bedelia, written by Peggy Parish, illustrated by Fritz Siebel, Greenwillow Book, 2012, originally published in 1963.


This ridiculous little book had my first grade son in hysterics.  And he read it entirely on his own.  The delight illustrations only enhanced the story.  Definitely a perfect book for emerging readers.

Book 498: Down Comes the Rain

Down Comes the Rain, by Franklyn Branley, illustrated by James Hale, Harper Collins, originally published in 1963.


This is a very good book for learning about the water cycle.  I do wish the author had used all three terms of the water cycle, though.  "Precipitation" is conspicuously absent.  This book also contains a very good description of how hail is formed.