Skip to main content

Five Faves: Diverse Easy Readers of 2022

One of my favorite things about reading is that it takes me outside myself and lets me read stories about people who have different life experiences from my own. Sometimes it can be challenging to find books with diverse protagonists, particularly in the easy reader section. After searching Provo City Library's collection, here are my five favorite easy readers with a diverse cast of characters published this year (so far!)

Gigi and Ojiji
By Melissa Iwai
Harpercollins Children's Books, 2022. Easy Reader.

Gigi is excited that her grandfather is coming from Japan to live with her family. She is looking forward to playing tag, reading books, and teaching her dog new tricks together with her grandfather. When he arrives, however, there are language and cultural barriers that Gigi did not anticipate. This is a great resource for discussing differences in customs between different cultures and the potential for confusion that can arise from misunderstanding intentions.

Written by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry
Illustrated by Brittany Jackson and TajaĆ© Keith
Simon Spotlight, 2022. Easy Reader.

Parker and Jessica Curry, who have already written several popular picture books, have written two new easy reader books this year. In Parker Dresses Up, Parker plays dress up with her younger siblings. Everything is going well until her younger brother Cash wants to play with a firefighter hose even though he's dressed as a chef. When Parker is upset because that's not what chef's do, Parker's mom teaches her that you don't always have to do one thing and it's okay to use your imagination to be whatever you want.

Lab Magic
Written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by Nina Mata
Harper, 2022. Easy Reader.

In this entry in the Ty Travels series, Ty and his younger brother Corey visit the science museum. While there the boys see butterflies, hunt for fossils, and steer sailboats with wind. Ty realizes that he can do science experiments at home too and makes slime and bubbles. This book will make your kids want to try their own science experiments!

Written by Candie Ransom
Illustrated by Ashley Evans
Random House Children's Books, 2022. Easy Reader.

This book is all about grandparents coming for a special visit. They go to breakfast, visit a museum, and build a birdhouse together. Kids will relate to the familiar experience of having a special day with loved ones. This book has large words and repeated phrases, making it ideal for those just beginning to read.

Written by Fran Manushkin
Illustrated by Tammie Lyon
Picture Window Books, 2022. Easy Reader.

New this year, Katie Woo and Pedro, who each have their own series by Manushkin and Lyon, are teaming up to solve mysteries! In The Birthday Party Mystery, Katie and Pedro try to discover what Katie's parents are going to give her for her birthday. This series is a great read-alike for those who enjoy other early reader mysteries like the King and Kayla and Boxcar Children series.






Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

If You Like...Ladybugs

Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by NinĢ‹a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...