Younger Reader Books
‘Dragon vs Unicorn’ by P.J. Hoover
In this unique, interactive graphic novel, early readers learn how to make good choices – and even choose what the characters do next!
Dragon and Unicorn are best friends who agree on everything. Well, almost everything. Dragon likes to follow the rules, while Unicorn is more of a free spirit, so sometimes they fight. Luckily, in these three stories, whenever the friends disagree, the reader gets to choose what happens next. Each choice leads to a different outcome, and at the end of the story, the reader can start again and choose a whole new storyline
Bestselling author P. J. Hoover lets readers drive the action in these short stories. The two characters are funny and relatable as they argue about clubhouse rules and what to do at a sleepover. As young readers consider the best way to deal with the interpersonal conflicts, they’ll gain important social and relationship skills. Playful art by Lisa Wiley perfectly showcases the emotional drama in the stories. Strong curriculum ties to social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and story writing combine with excellent character-education lessons in cooperation, empathy, honesty and teamwork in a totally immersive interactive package.
‘Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers’ by Angela Dominguez
Gabby Torres is nine years old and ready to conquer the world.
She’s already joined the Sea Musketeers, the environmental protection club founded by her idol, Stella Díaz, and plans to be their best (and youngest) member ever.
Gabby’s latest and greatest idea: start a social media page for her club. But her parents think she’s too young! Nothing stops Gabby though … until some online meanies get her in some serious trouble!
But she’s totally got everything under control all on her own.
Right?
In this heartwarming series, Gabby Torres is tenacious, bold, relatable and hilarious, reminiscent of other favourite characters like Junie B. Jones, Clementine, and Ramona Quimby.
‘The Rock in My Throat’ by Kao Kalia Yang
At first, no one noticed when I stopped talking at school.
In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school. Having seen the poor treatment her parents received when making their best efforts at speaking English, she no longer speaks at school. Kalia feels as though a rock has become lodged in her throat, and it grows heavier each day. Although the narrative is sombre, it is also infused with moments of beauty, love, and hope.
This is a story for anyone who has ever struggled to find their voice.
‘Dogtown’ by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them.
Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town.
Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home.
And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown, pilfering kibble and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves.
When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way.
‘Up, Up, Ever Up!’ by Junko Tabei
This is an evocative picture book biography about Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Everest.
Junko Tabei dreamed of a life climbing mountains. But men refused to climb with her. Sponsors told her to stay home. And gloves were not made to fit her hands. Junko, eager and unstoppable, wouldn’t let these obstacles get in her way.
Instead, she planned an expedition to summit Mount Everest with an all-women team. Battling icy peaks, deep crevasses, and even an avalanche, Junko refused to give up. She climbed step by step … up, up, ever up!
After summiting the world’s tallest peak, Junko took on a new challenge: protecting the wild spaces she loved for future generations.
This gorgeously illustrated celebration of a trailblazing climber who shattered gender stereotypes invites us to dare to reach our dreams – no matter how big.
‘Deeply Dave’ by Michael Grover
‘Deeply Dave’ is a hilarious adventure graphic novel about a young deep sea diver who heroically plunges into the abyss to save his astronaut Mum from the monsters that lurk below.
Immerse yourself in this unique reading experience, where you flip the pages up and read downward as you descend into the ocean’s depths!
Dave’s Mum is missing … and he is going after her.
She’s lost somewhere at the bottom of the ocean, stranded in the wreckage of her sunken spaceship. Only Dave can save her from the alien monsters and bizarre sea creatures that lurk in the depths.
So Dave is going deeper…
and deeper…
and deeper…
and deeper…
and deeper…
and deeper…
and deeper…
and deeper…