Looking for some books for your early readers? Here are a few that will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone.
The Lighthouse Family Series, by Cynthia Rylant (Simon & Schuster). Lovely stories about animals that care for a lighthouse by the shore. Pandora the cat and Seabold the salty dog adopt three mice to make a family. The series follows the visitors to the island: a whale, a turtle, an eagle. Simple stories with Beatrix Potter style pictures. (Ages 6 and up)
Horrid Henry Series, by Francesca Simon (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky). Popular in Britain for years, this horrible child has found his way to America. He is truly horrid and mischievous and rebellious. And kids love him! A terrific read aloud series. (Ages 7 and up)
Houndsley and Catina, by James Howe, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay (Candlewick). What is it about dogs and cats being friends? This lovable duo strikes just the right tone in teaching about friendship and finding the unique talents of others. Lovely watercolor and pencil drawings illustrate this first book of many with these two characters. (Ages 7 and up)
Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole, by Wong Herbert Lee (Houghton Mifflin). With homage to Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad, these two loveable creatures share the same tree and are as different as the Odd Couple. They learn to manage their differences with love and humor. (Ages 6 and up)
Lulu’s Hat, by Susan Meddaugh (Houghton Mifflin). Could Lulu have the gift of Magic? In True Magic Families, only one child in each generation has the gift. But Lulu is adopted and shows no magical abilities whatsoever. She travels as her Uncle Jerry’s assistant and her summer begins to change. Especially when she jumps into a parallel universe when following a dog into a hat! (Ages 8 and up)
Catwings, by Ursula Le Gwin, illustrated by S.D. Schindler (Orchard Books). This is the first of a four-book set. Mrs. Jane Tabby Cat gives birth to four winged kittens. They leave their dumpster home and fly away to find a safer place to live. Will they find it? Beautiful and sophisticated pen and ink drawings decorate these lovely stories. (Ages 7 and up)
When meeting young children, Julie Hubble picks out books for them in her head.