inside: When your little one graduates from beginning readers, it’s time for easy chapter books, of course! and these are some of the best. Check out these great first grade chapter books your kids will love!
chapter books for kids to win!
I love it when my students venture into the library and come to ask me a quiet question: “Mrs. b, do you think I can try a chapter book today?”
You are reading: Easy chapter books for 1st grade
they’re always a little shy when they first ask, always a little nervous to try something other than a picture book or a kindergarten book or other beginning reader with big, plain text, but the look on their faces when I combine them with what I hope will be a perfect story, they are simply priceless.
The jump from beginning readers to first grade chapter books is amazing, but challenging! after all, developing reading skills is a key component of the first grade curriculum.
Set your new reader up for success with easy chapter books perfect for first graders!
Parents and teachers often struggle with this genre, but don’t worry: happily, elephants has you covered when it comes to great chapter books for first graders, especially those looking for great books to read. first grade. that your little ones will fall in love with.
when selecting books for your child, especially when they are just venturing into the world of chapter books, we want to set them up for success; so start easy so you build confidence and fluency. Don’t get me wrong, I love to challenge my students, but we don’t want to give our new readers Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and expect them to like it. In the beginning, our goal is to create positive and enjoyable reading experiences. this is what keeps them coming back for more!
There are so many great stories for emerging readers and new independent readers, and here are some of our favorite amazing independent books and series. The books in the series that I have shared below are in order from easiest to most complex. always be sure to look at a few pages of these books before giving them to your child. Remember, you know your reader best, and we want them to be excited about reading your new book, not frustrated!
Standalone chapter books for first graders
Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz and Illustrated by Brian Floca: A brave princess who wants to climb trees, get dirty and go on a wild adventure? If that sounds like her children or her students, look no further. Written by a Newbery Award winner, this easy-to-understand chapter book has humor and heart, great illustrations, and a large, easy-to-read font that makes it one of our favorite first grade books. For our full review of Princess Cora and the Crocodile, click here! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
the story of diva and flea, by mo willems and illustrated by tony diterlizzi: flea is a stray cat who lives on the streets of paris, and diva is a spoiled dog who lives inside an apartment. when their paths unexpectedly cross one day, their lives change forever. ooh, la, la, is this easy chapter book a winner? support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
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Our Hedgehog Friend: Our Story, by Lauren Castillo: Stellar writing, quality story, and complex characters? count on me! These features are not easy to find in an easy chapter book, and I fell in love with this one immediately. In this beloved book, the hedgehog lives on a small island with only his stuffed dog, Mutty, for company. But when a big storm hits and Mutty goes missing, it will take courage – and maybe a few new friends – to find Mutty and bring her home. this is a joy! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
easy chapter book series we love!
doggo and pupper, by katherine applegate and illustrated by charlie alder: simply put, katherine applegate can’t go wrong. I absolutely adore this first book in a new series about poor doggo, an old dog who is used to his routine and his simple life in his home. but then the puppy comes along, and the new dog turns things upside down! I love the way this beloved story puts a spin on the idea that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. after all, you’re never too old to learn to have fun! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
snail & worm: three stories about two friends, by tina kugler: oh my god. you and your kids will laugh out loud at both this and its sequel, snail & worm again. Not only is this a fabulous and easy chapter book for your new readers (the second book won a Geisel honor!), but you’ll love the way the illustrations take the text to a whole new level. Your kids will laugh non-stop when they realize how ironic and just plain silly the pictures are when read in combination with the text. Snail and Worm falls into both the best books for beginning readers and the easy chapter book categories. for our full review of snail & worm, click here! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
charlie and the mouse, by laurel snyder and illustrated by emily hughes: charlie and the mouse contains four short stories about two brothers, and will have your children reading and laughing with delight at the same time. With its Gold Geisel Award (an award given annually to the year’s most distinguished American book for beginning readers), this is another perfect first “chapter” book. Like The Snail and the Worm above, Charlie and the Mouse are also found in both the Best Books for Beginning Readers and Easy Chapter Book categories. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
fergus and zeke, by kate messner and illustrated by heather ross: fergus is a good mascot in miss maxwell’s classroom who usually does whatever the students do. But when Miss Maxwell plans a field trip to the museum and Fergus isn’t invited, she finds a way to get there, and along the way she meets a new friend to teach her the ropes. Divided into four chapters, the text is accessible, the vocabulary is accessible, and the illustrations make it a winner. he supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
mercy watson, by kate dicamillo and illustrated by chris van dusen: kate dicamillo is simply brilliant, and the mercy watson series is a must for her new readers. This is a New York Times best-selling series for a reason, about the beloved “Swine Wonder,” his hilarious escapades, and his owners. once your kids read the first book, they’ll be begging for the next five, and some buttered toast. this series of first grade books is in constant rotation in our school library! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
the princess in black, by shannon hale and dean hale, and illustrated by leuyen pham: if you thought princesses only wear fancy pink dresses and sparkly tiaras, think again! If your little ones like their heroines going undercover, dressing in black and fighting evil monsters, then this series is a must have for your kids. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
owl diaries, by rebecca elliott: this is the other series that I can’t keep on our shelves: the books are retired as fast as they are registered. is aimed at new independent readers. The Owl Diaries series centers on Eva Wingdale and her friends, and is written as her diary. the text is engaging, there are adorable illustrations on every page, and the plots are fast-paced and engaging. her son will be begging for the next book in the series as soon as he finishes the one he’s holding in her hands. she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
monster and boy, by hannah barnaby and illustrated by anoosha syed: I can’t tell you much, I love this book. this is the story of a monster (who lives under a bed) and a boy (who sleeps in the bed), and what happens when the two first meet. the boy screams, of course, then the monster swallows him… and thus an incredible, beautiful friendship is born. I love the perfect tone and the funny narration. I love the constant winks at the reader and the way the narrator continually speaks to the audience and thus “breaks the fourth wall” (which is so unique for this age group). I love humor, wit and irreverence. and I am beyond excited that this is the first book in a series. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
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zoey and sassafras, by asia citro and marion lindsay: zoey and sassafras has it all: magic, science, adventure and lots of animals. In the first book, Zoey learns of a shocking discovery: injured magical animals find their way to her backyard! Each story in this series of easy-to-follow chapter books introduces a new magical animal and discusses how science can help solve each problem. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
dragon masters by tracey west: this is another series in the scholastic branch line and another favorite among my students. a dragon, a king, a wizard and magic. need i say more? Again, illustrations on every page, short chapters, and easy-to-read text make this a winning series for new independent readers. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
Infamous Ratsos by Kara Lareau and Illustrated by Matt Myers: Another Geisel honor, this hilarious chapter book revolves around brothers Louie and Raphie, who are tough, tough, tough, or so they think. However, every time they set out to show the world how tough they are, the Ratso brothers end up doing some really good deeds. I loved this easy chapter book so much. It’s the perfect mix of humor and heart! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
dory phantasmagoria, by abby hanlon: dory may be my favorite fictional character, and if you know me, that says a lot. But this series of books, about a little girl with a big imagination desperately seeking the attention of her older brothers, has made me laugh like few books can. I can’t keep this out of the reach of my students. And I can’t get enough of them either. For our full review of the first book in the series, click here! this may be my favorite first grade book series. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
the chicken squad, by doreen cronin and illustrated by kevin cornell: doreen cronin never strikes a sour note. In Chicken Squad, another delightful chapter book series, four little chicks (Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Honey) spend their days solving mysteries and fighting crime, and will leave their children in stitches, and quite possibly “scheming” their own plans. . support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
meet yasmin by saadia faruqi and illustrated by hatem ali: yasmin is a brave second grader from a pakistani family who always uses her great imagination and creativity to solve her biggest challenges. she is not without fears, but yasmin always finds original ways to overcome them. Yasmin is energetic, sassy, and imaginative, and readers will love her! she supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
piper green and the fairy tree, by ellen potter and illustrated by qin leng: piper green has a fairy tree in her front yard. she lives on peek-a-book island and goes to school on a lobster boat. Y…. there is some magic. what more does a little one need? he supports independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
fantastic frame, by lin oliver: when tiger brooks and his family move into a new house, he quickly discovers that things are strange, very, very strange. Weird enough to include a talking pig in a top hat and a lonely neighbor with a magical frame that lets Brooks drift into the world’s greatest paintings. A fabulous series for easy chapter book readers!
Magic Tree House, Mary Pope Osborne: Jack and his little sister, Annie, are just ordinary kids. But one day, the brothers discover a tree house in the woods…and that’s when the magic happens! The two boys are thrown into a series of adventures each time they visit the tree house, visiting dinosaurs and pirates along the way! support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
warren and dragon, by ariel bernstein and illustrated by mike malbrough: warren and dragon are best friends, which is interesting because warren is a seven year old boy and dragon is a 122 year old dragon. Most people think of the dragon as just a stuffed animal, but readers quickly learn that appearances can be deceiving and that the dragon may be real after all! If you or your kids ever loved Calvin and Hobbes comics, this will be a winner in your home. support independent bookstores and get the book at bookshop.org right here.
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