I Can Read

What a delight! Waffles and Pancake are two kittens looking to have a fun day with their Dad-cat, and boy does the planetarium deliver. From cool skeletons and exhibits to delicious tots at the cafeteria, this gem is sure to get any kid excited about a day at the museum. I really appreciated how they dealt with what to do if you get lost, and a small nod to the fact that the kitten’s parents live in separate households, normalizing it in a lovely way.—Jax

Flubby—of Flubby Is Not a Good Pet! fame—is back and once again hilariously unwilling to participate in our cat-ish expectations of him. Author-illustrator J. E. Morris seamlessly combines simple text with engaging illustrations, providing beginning readers with plenty of hints for new vocabulary. Each of these installments serves up a slew of laugh-out-loud images: watch for Flubby and Kami eye-to-eye in a bedtime showdown, or Flubby’s clever strategy for avoiding the bathwater. Can’t wait for the next exciting adventure!—Michelle

Newly independent readers will find Penny and Her Sled a great next step. Full of beautiful illustrations for context clues—with plenty of repeating words—young readers will feel successful and delighted by this book. Told in five short chapters, this is a story about patience, imagination, and how to share feelings when things don't go quite as expected. A beautiful addition to any child's bookshelf.—Jenny

The cat is back—this time standing in for the dog, who's sick. Goofiness ensues as "the book" tries to direct the cat to do dog-like tasks, tasks the cat finds revolting! Not so easy for a cat to be a dog, after all. Early readers will appreciate the simple sentence structure and fun illustrations. Adults reading along with kids will surely enjoy the shared humor-filled experience, too.—Jenny

Chitra Soundar and Jen Khatun have created a perfect book for any soon-to-be big sibling. Sona’s jealous uncertainty and her ultimate love and determination to care for her little sister all ring true, while Soundar also demonstrates the care and empathy adults can take to make the transition easier. With beautiful details of family and traditions in India (brought to joyful life with Khatun’s illustrations), Sona’s story will be familiar to anyone who’s ever welcomed a new member of the family.—Jocelyn

Wilson is the “friendliest, woolliest, smartest sheep” in Abigail Atwood’s herd. But that doesn’t mean he always makes the right choices. One fateful day, a piano delivery ominously coincides with a Wilson disappearance. Luckily for Abigail, her border collie’s keen sense of smell coupled with Wilson’s finely tuned sense of hearing saves the day. Inviting watercolors exquisitely portray the expressive sheep eyes and their soft spiraling wool. A delightful chapter book for independent readers or an equally cozy read-aloud for the chilly evenings to come.—Michelle

Portico Reeves has a secret. A super secret. Don’t tell anyone, but he’s really a superhero named Stuntboy! His superpower is to protect other supers so they can save the day. But no stunt can stop his parents from fighting or from Herbert the Worst from teasing him. Interspersed with Raúl the Third’s expressive artwork, Jason Reynolds’ story perfectly captures all the trials and anxieties of a young kid living in a turbulent situation. This is a great book for kids going through big changes.—Ivy

Hardboiled dog detective J.J. and his chicken companions are back, this time in a leveled reader that provides an enticing gateway to the more complex J.J. Tully Mysteries and Chicken Squad chapter books that we have loved for years. One-part whodunnit, one-part Goldilocks, this simple story is propelled by Gilpin’s expressive illustrations, Cronin’s clever word choices, and Sugar’s skills as the bespectacled chicken ringleader. Where’d those chickens go this time? Cuddle up with this book and find out. —Michelle

From Atinuke, who brought us the delightful world of Anna Hibiscus, comes a brand-new character to fall in love with: Too Small Tola, who “lives in a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria.” This small but mighty child will enchant readers as they follow her adventures in Nigeria. Too Small Tola is perfect for early readers who are looking for a sweet and meaningful book. —Kathy

Doggo’s daily routine is set; he never deviates, and that’s just the way he likes it. Then his humans get an idea (which is never good). In comes Pupper, a rambunctious and mischievous puppy, to break up Doggo’s expectations. Applegate, who normally writes for an older crowd, has crafted a brilliant book for newly independent readers. This is perfect for families that are beginning to expand—in a furry or human way—or for anyone who loves dogs!  —Ivy