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I remember when my first child was ready to read chapter books, and it felt like a huge family milestone. I was so excited to watch her take off in the magical world of reading. But at the same time, it had been decades since I’d read books at her level, and I wanted to make sure she found books that would only enhance her love for reading. Here are 20 chapter books that both my daughter and son have loved as their first read-alone books:
1.The Chocolate Touch
My daughter brought this home from school a couple of years ago and it’s still one of her favorite books. A boy names John Midas unexpectedly discovers the power to turn everything to chocolate. At first it’s fun and delicious, but soon he has to figure out how to break the spell.
2. Mercy Watson
Bright illustrations and funny stories about the cutest little pig. My kids can’t get enough of this series!
3. Amelia Bedelia (the original)
When it comes to quirky, endearing characters who make the best of their mistakes, you can’t beat Amelia Bedelia!
4. Sideways Stories from Wayside School
My kids read and re-read these silly, imaginative stories from a school where nothing is normal.
5. Hey, Jack
This is a fantastic early reader series that’s simple enough for new readers but engaging enough to make reading fun. My boy loves these.
6. The Magic Treehouse
I’m sure you’ve heard of these, but both of my kids were super into them when they started reading.
7. Frog and Toad
I grew up on these classics, and I love the dynamics and dialogue between Frog and Toad. It’s a joy to read them aloud too (in an English accent, of course).
8. The Littles
A fun series about a family of people the size of mice that lives in a house of big people, and how they navigate obstacles like the family cat.
9. The BFG
Roald Dahl is hands-down my favorite children’s chapter book author. His imagination cannot be beat and this is my favorite of his books.
10. Flat Stanley’s World Adventures
Stanley wakes up to find he’s only a half an inch thick, but it turns out he can do a lot of amazing things with his new “superpower.” This series follows Stanley on his adventures around the world.
11. The Mouse and the Motorcycle
A classic. Honestly, I haven’t read it since I was a kid, but my daughter loves it.
12. Freckle Juice
A short, sweet, and imaginative classic.
13. The Boxcar Children
These need no introduction, but a bonus about these books is that there are SO many in this series, so if your kids get into it they’ll be entertained for awhile.
14. Ivy and Bean
I don’t love all the little girl chapter books out there, but this one is sweet and entertaining. My daughter whipped through these!
15. The Who Was? Series
These are the perfect little books to introduce your kids to inventors, authors, artists, and other famous people who have changed the world in their own way.
16. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
A classic Newberry Honor book. My daughter listened to this one on audio and loved it. They loved the Jim Carrey movie too.
17. Encyclopedia Brown
A boy who helps solve mysteries for his neighborhood and chief-of-police dad. This one is probably for kids who are readier for a slightly meatier chapter book, like a second or third grader.
18. Nate the Great
This is a classic series from the 70s of kid-friendly mysteries solved by a Nate, the sleuth.
19. Narwhal and Jelly
If you love Elephant and Piggie as much as we do, you’ll love Narwhal and Jelly. This comic strip style series is laugh-out-loud funny.
20. The Princess in Black
A series by one of my favorite authors, Shannon Hale (with her husband, Dean), about a princess who trades her frilly dresses and crown for an eye mask and cape when she needs to save the day.
I’d love to hear what your kids’ favorite chapter books are!
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Awesome article and list, thank you!