Suggested Books for RIF List
The following list of books was compiled by the ALSC Quicklists Committee for Reading Is Fundamental.
Adams, Pam
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
ISBN 0-8595-3053-1 $6.99
With each line of the song, a new animal is discovered in the farmyard along with the sound it makes.
Barrett, Judith
Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing
ISBN 0-6897-0807-6 $4.79
This is a book about the funny things that might happen if animals wore clothing.
Brown, Margaret Wise
Goodnight Moon
ISBN 0-0644-3017-0 $5.95
A short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing--or attempting to postpone--his own slumber.
Brown, Margaret Wise
The Runaway Bunny
ISBN 0-0644-3018-9 $5.95
A little bunny thinks about running away until he realizes how much his mother loves him.
Fox, Mem
Hattie and the Fox
ISBN 0-6897-1611-7 $4.79
Hattie, the big black hen, notices the fox in the bushes; the other farm animals have various, hilarious responses.
Fox, Mem
Time for Bed
ISBN 0-1520-1066-1 $.6.95
This modern classic is the perfect bedtime story, with quiet repetition and muted, but engaging animals on each pages.
Fleming, Denise
In the Small, Small Pond
ISBN 0-8050-5983-0 $6.95
Brilliant colors and delightful rhyming text bring a pond to life for small readers.
Galdone, Paul
Three Little Kittens
ISBN 0-8991-9766-5 $5.95
A classic nursery rhyme for toddlers.
Ginsburg, Mirra
Good Morning, Chick
ISBN 0688087418 $5.95
Tap-tap and crack! A little chick pops out of its shell. With mama by its side, it explores the barnyard and experiences the world for the first time.
Greenfield, Elosie
Daddy & I
ISBN 0-8631-6206-1 $4.95
A little boy and his daddy do everyday things together.
Hudson, Cheryl
Animal Sounds for Baby
ISBN 0-5904-8029-4 $5.95
Baby meets animals and learns what they say.
Inkpen, Mick
Kipper
ISBN 0-152-2294-5 $5.05
Tired of sleeping on his old blanket in his chewed-up basket, Kipper, the dog goes in search of a better place to sleep. He considers a flowerpot, the grass, a lily pad, and other spots before returning to his own cozy bed.
Kraus, Robert
Whose Mouse Are You?
ISBN 0-6897-1142-5 $4.95
A little mouse finds his family.
Krauss, Ruth
The Carrot Seed
ISBN 0-0644-3210-6 $4.95
Only the little boy knows it will come up.
Miller, Virginia
Be Gentle!
ISBN 0-7636-0693-6 $5.99
Don't hurt the little black kitten!
Newcome, Zita
Toddlerobics
ISBN 0-7636-0113-6 $5.99
Toddlers enjoy exercising.
Oxenbury, Helen
Tom & Pippo at the Beach
ISBN 0-7636-0163-2 $3.99
Tom and his toy monkey, Pippo, enjoy the beach.
Tafuri, Nancy
Have You Seen My Duckling?
ISBN 0-6881-0994-2 $4.95
Mother Duck sails around the pond, with the rest of her brood behind her searching for her little lost duckling. Readers can see that duckling isn't lost at all--just adventuring, and never far away.
Wells, Rosemary
Max's Bedtime
ISBN 0-8037-2267-1 $5.99
Max can't sleep without his red rubber elephant and his sister, Ruby, tries to help.
Wells, Rosemary
Bunny Cakes
ISBN 0-1405-6667-8 $5.99
Max and Ruby surprise Grandma with two cakes.
Williams, Sue
I Went Walking
ISBN 0-1523-8011-6 $5.95
The farmyard becomes an exuberant event when a small child goes for a walk and discovers a parade of animals "looking at me."
Wood, Audrey
Piggies
ISBN 0-1520-0217-0 $5.95
A cast of ten little piggies cavort on the fingers of a child's hands. At bedtime, the piggies skip down my tummy, dance on my toes, then run away and hide until the child puts them all together-by joining his fingers, for series of goodnight kisses.
Albourough, Jez
Where's My Teddy?
ISBN 1-5640-228-3 $5.00
In rhyming text, Eddie's in for a big surprise when he discovers that his teddy bear has grown much too big to cuddle. Then Eddie meets up with a real bear who's got just the opposite problem--his lost teddy bear has shrunk to a size much to small for such an enormous bear to cuddle.
Allard, Harry
Miss Nelson Is Missing!
ISBN 0-3954-0146-1 $5.95
The kids in Room 207 take advantage of their teacher's good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a substitute, Miss Viola Swamp, their worst nightmare.
Barrett, Judith
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
ISBN 0-6897-0746-5 $4.99
In the town of Chewandswallow, the food is delicious and arrives with the Weather until the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Brett, Jan
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
ISBN 0-6981-1358-6 $5.99
A lavish retelling of an old favorite about a curious girl who makes herself at home in an empty cottage, only to be discovered by the three bears that live there.
Bridwell, Norman
Clifford the Big Red Dog
ISBN 0-5904-4297-X $3.25
Emily Elizabeth introduces her enormous pet.
Burton, Virginia Lee
Katy and the Big Snow
ISBN 0-3951-8562-9 $5.56
Bright, vigorous pictures show Katy, a beautiful red crawler tractor, as she plows snow for the Highway Department.
Burton, Virginia Lee
Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
ISBN 0-3952-5939-8 $4.76
Mike Mulligan proves that Mary Ann, his faithful old steam shovel, can work just as well as the fancy new machines.
Carle, Eric
The Mixed-Up Chameleon
ISBN 0-0644-3162-2 $5.95
Chameleon's life is not very exciting until the day he discovers he can change not only his colors, but his size and shape.
Carle, Eric
The Grouchy Ladybug
ISBN 0-0644-3450-8 $6.95
A grumpy ladybug challenges everyone she meets regardless of their size.
Carle, Eric
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
ISBN 0-5900-3029-9 $2.50
A beautifully, illustrated counting book about a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
Fleming, Denise
In the Tall, Tall Grass
ISBN 0-8050-3941-4 $5.95
Rhyming text tells of the creatures to be found in the grass.
Guarnio, Deborah
Is Your Mama a Llama?
ISBN 0590447254 $4.95
Rhyming story that allows all of friends of Lloyd, the llama, to describe their mamas.
Keats, Ezra Jack
Whistle for Willie
ISBN 0-1450-2025 $5.95
Peter learns how to whistle.
Lionni, Leo
Frederick
ISBN 0-3948-2614-0 $5.00
While the other mice are gathering food for the winter, Frederick daydreams the summer away. But when dreary winter comes, it is Frederick, the poet, who warms the hearts of his friends with his words.
London, Jonathan
Froggy Gets Dressed
ISBN 0-1405-4457-7 $5.99
Froggy discovers snow! He wants to go out and play but his sleepy mother tells him that frogs are suppose to sleep all winter. But Froggy insists and off he goes, but only after his mother has dressed him properly for the cold weather.
McCloskey, Robert
Blueberries for Sal
ISBN 0-1405-0169-X $5.99
Sal and her mother set off in search of blueberries before winter comes. At the same time a cub and mother bear are searching for food for the winter. A comedy of errors ensues when the young ones wander off and trail the wrong mothers.
Sendak, Maurice
Where the Wild Things Are
ISBN 0-0644-3178-9 $6.95
A naughty little boy, who is sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of wild things where he becomes their king.
Shaw, Nancy
Sheep in a Jeep
ISBN 0-3954-7030-7 $4.95
Rhyming tale of the adventures of a group of sheep encounters while riding a jeep.
Walsh, Ellen Stoll
Mouse Count
ISBN 0-4520-0223-5 $5.50
A hungry snake finds ten little mice and counts them into a jar for dinner. But the clever mice soon outwit the snake and "uncount" themselves--until they have all gotten away.
Williams, Vera
More, More, More Said the Baby: Three Love Stories
ISBN 0-6881-4736-4 $4.95
Williams' award-winning style captures the warmth and humor of three different babies and the adults that adore them.
Ziefert, Harriet
Bob and Shirley: A Tale of Two Lobsters
ISBN 0-1403-8792-7 $3.99
Based on a true story, Bob and Shirley are two huge lobsters caught in a net and end up in a tank in a fish store window until some concerned humans picket the store.
*These titles are appropriate for a child who is first learning to reading independently.
Adler, David
Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones
ISBN 0-1403-8715-3 $3.99
Cam (short for "Camera") Jansen has a photographic memory--which comes in handy when she notices something wrong at a museum exhibit.
Atwater, Richard
Mr. Popper's Penguins
ISBN 0-3160-5843-2 $4.95
Mr. Popper's life is changed forever when he receives an unexpected delivery of an Antarctic penguin.
Butterworth, Oliver
The Enormous Egg
ISBN 0-3161-1920-2 $4.95
Nate discovers a gigantic egg laid by one of the family's hens. However, Nate is unprepared for what hatches out. A triceratops?!!
Cleary, Beverly
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
ISBN 0-3807-0956-2 $4.99
Ramona enters third grade with humorous results.
Dahl, Roald
James and the Giant Peach
ISBN 0-1403-7424-8 $4.99
An old man gives James a bag of dark green crystals with a promise. Unfortunately, James accidentally drops them near the peach tree, which grows to the size of a house. When he crawls inside, a magical adventure begins to take place changing his life forever.
Dahl, Roald
Matilda
ISBN 0-1403-7985-1 $4.99
Matilda overcomes the woes of idiot parents and a menacing school headmistress to help her wonderful teacher, Miss Honey.
Erickson, John R.
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
ISBN 0-1413-0377-8 $4.99
Hank is a scruffy, smart-alecky super sleuth with a nose for danger and an eye for the ladies.
Fitzhugh, Louise
Harriet the Spy
ISBN 0-0644-0331-9 $5.95
A story about an intensely curious and intelligent girl, named Harriet, who loves to spy on people, keeping her observations in a secret notebook. When Harriet's classmates discover it and begin reading her candid comments about them, she soon finds her world turned upside down.
Gardiner, John Reynolds
Stone Fox
ISBN 0-0644-0132-4 $3.96
A 10-year-old boy is pitted against an Indian with a formidable reputation in a Rocky Mountain dogsled race. An emotional and exciting book. Heide, Florence Parry
The Day of Ahmed's Secret
ISBN 0-6881-4023-8 $5.95
Young Ahmed goes through his day in the crowded city of Cairo, all the while treasuring a special secret that he will share with his family that night. Henkes, Kevin
*Chrysanthemum
ISBN 0-6881-4732-1 $4.95
Chrysanthemum hates her long, unusual name--until her teacher makes her see how special it is.
Howe, Deborah
Bunnicula
ISBN 0-6898-0659-0 $3.99
When a baby rabbit comes into the family, Chester the cat decides it is a vampire and tries to warn his family.
Howe, James
*Pinky & Rex
ISBN 0-3807-1190-7 $3.99
Best friends, Pinky and Rex, visit the museum with Pinky's pesky little sister, Amanda.
Hurwitz, Johanna
Aldo Applesauce
ISBN 0-1403-4083-1 $3.99
Aldo moves to a new school and learns how to make new friends.
Lawson, Robert
Ben and Me: a New and Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin as Written by His Good Mouse Amos
ISBN 0-3165-1730-5 $5.95
In this humorous tale, readers will discover that while Ben Franklin received considerable credit for many inventions, it was really Amos, a less-than-humble rodent, who originated these discoveries.
Lowry, Lois
Anastasia Krupnik
ISBN 0-4404-0852-0 $1.99
Anastasia experiences an eventful 10th year.
MacDonald, Betty B.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
ISBN 0-0644-0148-0 $4.95
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's cures continue to delight children.
Marshall, James
*Fox in Love
ISBN 0-1403-6843-4 $3.99
Fox falls in love (several times) and enters a dance contest.
MacLachlan, Patricia
Sarah, Plain and Tall
ISBN 0-0644-0205-3 $4.95
A warm and beautiful pioneer story.
Minarik, Elsa
*A Kiss for Little Bear
ISBN 0-0644-4050-8 $3.95
The animals in the forest carry a thank-you kiss to Little Bear from his Grandmother.
Lobel, Arnold
*Frog and Toad are Friends
ISBN 0-0644-4020-6 $3.95
Frog and Toad share adventures of stories, lost buttons, and letters.
O'Brien, Robert C.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
ISBN 0-6898-2966-3 $2.99
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four young children, is faced with a monumental decision - how to move her children safely from their summer quarters immediately or be faced with certain death. Her youngest son is ill and must not be moved. She consults the Rats of NIMH, who devise a brilliant plan of action.
Palatini, Margie
*Piggie Pie
ISBN 0-3958-6618-9 $5.95
A romp through Old MacDonald's farm as Greedy Witch tries to capture some piggies to make Piggie Pie, her favorite dish. Outrageously disguised as other farm animals, the pigs outwit her. Greedy Witch and the wolf leave together to console each other; each imagining the other as a nice delectable sandwich.
Parish, Peggy
*Amelia Bedelia
ISBN 0-3807-2860-5 $3.99
The results are hilarious when Amelia Bedelia follows directions and takes literal-minded action.
Parish, Peggy
*Amelia Bedelia & the Baby
ISBN 0-3807-2795-1 $3.99
Amelia Bedelia babysits with hilarious results.
Polacco, Patricia
Mrs. Katz and Tush
ISBN 0-4404-0936-5 $6.99
Ms. Polaco uses a skillful blend of multi-ethnic cultures and plot to tell about the kitten Mrs. Katz and Larnel care for together.
Polacco, Patricia
Just Plain Fancy
ISBN 0-4404-0937-3 $6.99
The Amish live a plain life and do not hold with anything fancy. When Naomi's chickens hatch a "fancy" chick from an abandoned egg, she is concerned that the chick is "too fancy" to be Amish.
Pilkey, Dav
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
ISBN 0-5908-4628-0 $3.50
Humorous fast paced adventure featuring an unusual super hero.
Ringgold, Faith
Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky
ISBN 0-5178-8543-3 $6.99
In a blend of fantasy and fact, a young girl follows Harriet Tubman and an escaping band of slaves on a remarkable journey along the Underground Railroad.
Rylant, Cynthia
*Henry and Mudge: the First Book of Their Adventures
ISBN -06898-1005-9 $3.99
Part of an easy-to-read series, Henry, feleling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big lovable 180 pound dog named Mudge.
Waber, Bernard
*Ira Sleeps Over
ISBN 0-395-20503-4 $4.76
When Ira sleeps at his best friend's house, he is reluctant to let his friend know about his teddy bear, but he discovers his friend has a bear of his own.
White, E.B.
Charlotte's Web
ISBN 0-8712-9258-0 $5.95
Wilbur the pig is saved because of Charlotte's care in this heart-warming fantasy.
Scieszka, Jon
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs as told by A. Wolf
ISBN 0-6897-1881-0 $4.95
The story of the three little pigs told from the wolf's viewpoint
Armstrong, William N.
Sounder
ISBN 0-0644-0020-4 $3.96
The story of a dog, who tries to save his master a black sharecropper, who has been driven to steal for his family's survival, from arrest, and a boy who loves them both.
Babbit, Natalie
Tuck Everlasting
ISBN 0-3744-8009-5 $4.95
Ten-year-old Winfred Foster and a malicious stranger both accidentally discover the Tuck family and their secret, a hidden spring whose water prevents one from ever growing older.
Catling, Patrick
The Chocolate Touch
ISBN 0-4404-1289-7 $4.99
A boy acquires a magical gift: everything he touch turns to chocolate!
Cooper, Susan
The Boggart
ISBN 0-6898-0173-4 $4.50
After returning from a trip to Scotland, two school children find out they've brought something extra home with them.
Fleischman, Paul
Bull Run
ISBN 0-0644-0588-5 $4.95
Northerners, Southerners, generals, couriers, dreaming boys, and worried sisters describe the glory, the horror, the thrill, and the disillusionment of the first battle of the Civil War.
George, Jean Craighead
Julie of the Wolves
ISBN 0-0644-0058-1 $5.95
Julie must find a way to survive in the harsh Alaskan tundra and the nearby wolf pack may be her only hope.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson
Running Out of Time
ISBN 0-6898-1236-1 $4.99
When a diphtheria epidemic hits her 1840s village, thirteen-year-old Jessie discovers it is actually a 1995 tourist site under unseen observation by heartless scientist, and it's up to Jessie to escape the village and save the lives of the dying children.
Hamilton, Virginia
The House of Dies Drear
ISBN 0-0204-3520-7 $4.99
Thomas Small discovers a secret in his family's home, which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Henry, Marguerite
Misty of Chincoteague
ISBN 0-6897-1492-0 $4.99
A brother and sister are determined to own one of the ponies their father helps to round up on Chincoteague Island.
Hesse, Karen
Sable
ISBN 0805057722 $6.95
Tate has always wanted a dog, and when Sable shows up, her dream comes true. Will problems with the neighbors keep Tate and Sable apart?
Konigsburg, E.L.
The View From Saturday
ISBN 0-6898-2964-7 $2.99
An academic competition brings four students together, and each tells the unlikely story of how they got there.
L'Engle, Madeleine
A Wrinkle in Time
ISBN 0-4409-9805-0 $5.50
Classic adventure in space and time.
Mead, Alice
Junebug
ISBN 0-4404-1245-5 $3.99
Living in the projects, Junebug must somehow withstand the daily pressures of drugs and gangs while still holding onto his dream of sailing. Namioka, Lensey
Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear
ISBN 0-4404-0917-9 $4.50
Yang is the only one in his entire family to be totally lacking in musical talent. He faces the agony of music lessons every day, when all he really wants to do is play ball.
Patterson, Katherine
Jacob Have I Loved
ISBN 0-0644-0368-8 $5.95
While everyone adores and admires her twin sister, Sara Louise overcomes her jealousy and finds her own identity and inner strength.
Raskin, Ellen
Westing Game
ISBN 0-1403-8664-5 $4.99
A millionaire's mysterious death, a fortune to inherit, and an unlikely assortment of heirs- -can you figure out the mystery? Rawls, Wilson
Where the Red Fern Grows
ISBN 0-5532-7429-5 $5.99
Having purchased two dogs for fifty dollars, young Billy is determined to create the valley's best hunting team. Follows the friendship of a boy and his two dogs and their adventures along the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country.
Rowling, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
ISBN 0-5903-5342-X $5.99
Harry's a perfectly ordinary boy in a perfectly ordinary school--except for the fact that he happens to be a wizard and his classes include Transfiguration and Potions!
Spinelli, Jerry
Maniac Magee
ISBN 0-3168-0906-3 $5.95
Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee, a twelve-year-old homeless boy, could hit a ball better and faster than anyone in Two Mills. Even more remarkable, he dares to cross the line that divides the white West End and the black East End, confronting prejudice and racism head on.
Wojciechowska, Maia
Shadow of a Bull
ISBN 0-6897-0298-1 $3.95
Manolo Olivar demonstrates true courage as he faces his bull and makes his decision.
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