Whether you have a new reader who is reader for longer text and is looking to build reading confidence or you are looking for the next step up from picture books in your read-aloud: illustrated beginning chapter books are for you! This list is one that I curated with some fantastic beginning chapter book series that are meant to be the next step-up from picture books. The text is large, simple and spaced out well. The page count is 100 pages or less so that new readers can have the satisfaction of completing a full chapter book without feeling like it is too impossibly long and, perhaps most importantly, there are color illustrations on every page in some and nearly every page in the rest. I organized these series based on the recommended age range from youngest to oldest in hopes that that helps you find the right book for your kids easier.
My personal experience with these books ranges from reading at least one book from each series (if this is the case than it is the book featured) to series like Mercy Watson where I have read every book in the series more than once. They are ones that we love and I hope that you love them as well.
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Penny and Her Marble (I Can Read Level 1) by Kevin Henkes – 48 pages, 4-8 years old
These books give me all the warm and fuzzy nostalgic feels and I love it. In this book, which is the first in the series, Penny the mouse finds a beautiful blue marble in her neighbors yard and struggles with the decision to keep it or return it. It is sweet and charming.
Johnny Boo Finds a Clue (Johnny Boo Book 11) by James Kochlaka- 40 pages, 4-8 years old
If you have a reader that loves the silly and loves to laugh then this easy, graphic novel is for them! In this story Johnny Boo is trying to crack the case of the missing ice cream and the case is ridiculous and the ending is sure to make kids laugh. It’s one that I admittedly enjoyed a lot too.
We Are Growing! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!, 2)by Laurie Keller- 64 pages, 4-8 years old
This series is fantastic and this particular book in it is positively delightful. It features a row of blades of grass and their feelings about the growing (and mowing) process that affects them. It is big on personality and creativity and I cannot get over how much fun is packed in such a little story with such little text. This one is definitely a “must read”!
Sparkly New Friends: An Acorn Book (Unicorn and Yeti 1) by Heather Ayris Burnell, Hazel Quintanilla- 64 pages, 5-7 years old
This beginning chapter book is done in the beloved graphic novel format and introduces us to friends Unicorn and Yeti. It is oozing with cuteness and is really simple in text and is sure to help boost confidence in young readers as well as boosting their love of reading. So much fun!
The Kid and the Chameleon (The Kid and the Chameleon: Time to Read, Level 3) by Sheri Mabry and Joanie Stone- 48 pages, 5-7 years old
Tessy is a little girl who finds and befriends a chameleon named Newton in this wonderful little series. In this book we see how they learn to navigate their new friendship and deal with their differences in opinions and preferences. It has a sweet message of compromise as well as appreciating and listening to how others feel and how they see things. So good!
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham- 96 pages, 5-8 year olds
We are crazy about this series! Each one is entertaining and fun to the max! We have read several of these multiple times and are always excited for the next book in the series to see what adventures lie store. It features a princess who has a secret identity (the princess in black) that she uses to fight monsters (silly and not too scary) in her kingdom. So good!
The Great Louweezie 1 (Arnold and Louise) by Erica S. Perl and Chris Chatterton- 64 pages, 6-8 years old
I adore the vintage vibe illustrations in this series and the story is pretty great too. In this story chipmunk Louise is pretending to be a fortune teller and her game is one that is difficult for Arnold in a few ways. Both friends wind-up frustrated, but in the end they find a way to resolve the situation and show that true friendship is one of forgiveness, understanding and the willingness to work through disagreements.
Wild Fairies 1: Daisy’s Decorating Dilemma by Brandi Dougherty and Rnee Kurilla- 96 pages, 6-9 years old
These Fairy books couldn’t have more adorable illustrations or stories. In this first book of the series Daisy is charged with decorating for a big event and is struggling because each of her friends have different ideas on how things should look. This one has great themes of compromise, friendship and, again, is just plain adorable.
Mercy Watson to the Rescueby Kate Di Cammillo and Chris Van Dussen– 68 pages, 6-9 years old
We adore Mercy Watson! She is a lovable pig with a perchance for trouble and we have read each book in this series multiple times. I also have to recommend the audiobook version of these stories because they are positively fantastic! Try them, you’re bound to fall in love too.
Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World. by Jacqueline Davies and Deborah Hawking – 80 pages, 6-9 year olds
The illustrations and plot in this book give me a modern “Wind in the Willows” vibe and I definitely don’t hate it. In this book friends Sydney and Taylor head out to do some exploring and they meet and overcome some challenges along the way. I love the illustration style and I love the themes of support and teamwork in Sydney and Taylor’s friendship.
Barkus Dog Dreams: Book 2 (Barkus Book 2, Dog Book for Children) by Patricia MacLachlan and Marc Boutavant- 56 pages, 6-9 years old
These books have the most bright, playful and modern illustrations that just scream “fun” and “happy”! In this story we discover that Barkus the dog can sing, he needs a visit to the vet and more. It is light, entertaining and so cute.
Anne’s Kindred Spirits (An Anne Chapter Book) by Kallie George and Abigail Halpin- 64 pages, 6-9 year olds
I am a huge fan of Anne’s so I was beyond excited when I learned about this new, beginning reader series to introduce her story to young readers. Kallie George basically takes the story of Anne of Green Gables and breaks it up into a series of short chapter books that together should end up covering the whole story. The text is simple and makes the story so approachable for young readers. Plus, Halpin’s illustrations make me swoon. This series is a dream.
Sparkleton 1: The Magic Day (HarperChapters) by Calliope Glass and Hollie Mengert 96 pages, 6-10 year olds
This cute series has bright illustrations and this first book has a story that is playful and has a nice message at the end with some sibling appreciation. I also like the progress/page traders throughout and the encouraging statements for reluctant readers that are included as you go.
The Talent Show (Jasper and Scruff) by Nicola Colton- 96 pages, 6-9 years old
Jasper and Scruff want to enter the talent show, but they both have different ideas on what they want to do and how they want to do it. Things go wrong however when one makes it and one doesn’t and then some cheating contestants threaten the integrity of the whole competition. In the end both friends come back together as a team to let justice reign again. It is a fun story with both an entertaining story and plot.
King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred (King & Kayla, 5) by Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers – 48 pages, 7-9 year olds
This book is such a sweet one and where King and Kayla find a lost dog named Fred and how they work together to reunite him with his family. I love the dynamics in the relationship between King and Kayla and how their dog and human perspectives in their communication is written.
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