New chapter books for grades 1-3

Disclosure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am sharing some books for our beginning chapter book readers. The suggested ages for these books are grades 1 through 3. I will introduce the books in order of easiest to read to hardest. The first book is Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! by Jamie Michalak and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. 

Joe is a giraffe and his friend, Sparky, is a turtle. They witness a child's surprise party. The children have gifts, a conga line, cake and singing. Joe loves the idea of a surprise party and wants to throw one for himself, but Sparky tells him he cannot throw a surprise party for himself so he throws it for his pet worm, Wiggy. However no one besides Joe has seen or sees Wiggy. Sparky even tells Joe several times it is all right if Wiggy does not really exist. The animals all have fun at the party, but they do not see the very busy Wiggy. 

This book is a perfect book for the beginning reader who is starting to want more than simple readers. The words are easy and the pictures are fun. Of course it can also bring the conversation about what the child enjoys at a party. 

Our next book is the most recent addition to the  Princess in Black series. Now Hazel fell in love with the Princess in Black two years ago. She has read all the books several times and still reads them. They are among her favorite. She was very excited to see The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham. She grabbed it and read it right away. Her comments were that this is the best one of the series! After she read it a few times I was able to get it back so I could read it and review it here. In this book Princess Magnolia has a playdate with Princess Sneezewort. She leaves after fighting monsters with the Goat Avenger. However a monster sneaks out of Monster Land and follows Princess Magnolia. The princesses are having a great princess playdate, but then there is a monster alert. Each princess is not sure what to do. Princess Magnolia wants to go fight it as the Princess in Black and Princess Sneezewort wants to copy her hero and find a secret identity like the Princess in Black. Well the Princess in Blankets is born and together they are able to capture the sneaky monster. 

As with the other books in the series, this book has short chapters, fun illustrations and lots of color. Hazel has always loved the various action words in the illustrations. It is as fun as all the others and this is such a great series!! We always recommend it to our friends.

Our last two books are in the same series, Absolutely Alfie. In the first book, Absolutely Alfie and the Furry Purry Secret by Sally Warner and illustrated by Shearry Malone, we meet Alfie and her family. Alfie is a seven-year-old black girl who is just trying to figure things out. Her mother arranges for her to play with a neighbor for the rest of the summer. However the neighbor, Hanni, is not one of Alfie's favorite people. In fact she did not really consider her a friend, but with some craft supplies and kittens they become friends. Alfie wants a kitten but a family rule has been no pets because of Alfie's allergies. However Alfie does not react when the girls play with the kittens so she decides to sneak one home. 

This book is about family, friends and growing up. It is the perfect story for kids ready for a bit more challenge than the beginning chapter books. The second book, Absolutely Alfie and the First Week Friends, is just the same. It is the first day of school and Alfie is nervous. 

Alfie's best friend, Lulu will be back from her vacation and her new friend, Hanni, will be there. Will they all be able to be friends? That is Alfie's secret wish. What will the first week of school be like? Will Hanni and Lulu become friends? Will it be a threesome? 

These books have a real life tone that elementary school age kids will get. The books talk about the first day jitters and issues with friends, parents and siblings. It is about a normal but fun second grader and how she discovers things in her life. 

I hope you will check out these books for your young readers!! We really enjoyed them! For some more recommendations for this age group be sure to check out: Meet the Chapter Books, Summer Reading Chapter Books, Multicultural Chapter Books, Chapter Books for Younger Kids, Cody and the Fountain of Happiness, Julius Zebra, Smashie McPerter, Religious Chapter Books, Princess in Black book 1, 2,  Hamster Princess, Oh Susannah series, and Pack-n-Go Girls.