Handpicked by Our Editors

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Age 5+
4

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Why We Recommend It

Jackie Robinson was special on the baseball field and off. His daughter's bio of the slugger-as-dad emphasizes courage.

Read our full review
The secret to picking good early reader books.

In early elementary school, kids take their first steps toward independence, and reading chapter books is a real badge of pride for an early reader. Being able to read a chapter book gives kids a great sense of accomplishment.

A good place to start: Pick a series with a character whose personality is similar to your child's. That way, he or she will identify with the hero, be very invested in the action, and want to read more.

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New Book Reviews for Kids (ages 5-8)

Waddle.jpg
Waddle: A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus Butler Seder
Parents Need to Know...

that this third of Rufus Butler Seder's "scanimation" books is as mesmerizing as the others, with a text that is perfect for beginning readers.  read more

Age 5+
Waddle: A Scanimation Picture Book
4
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Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice by Judy Schachner
Parents Need to Know...

that this is the fifth in the bestselling series of Skippyjon Jones books, and includes a CD on which the author reads the story and the songs are put to music.  read more

Age 5+
Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice
4
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The Duchess of Whimsy by Randall de Seve
Parents Need to Know...

the vocabulary in this well-written fairy tale will challenge -- and very possibly put off -- younger readers. read more

Age 5+
The Duchess of Whimsy
4
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Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays by Elise Primavera
Parents Need to Know...

there isn’t anything to be concerned about in this pretty Christmas fantasy. read more

Age 5+
Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays
3
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Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson by Sharon Robinson
Parents Need to Know...

that this uplifting and personal story, told by Jackie Robinson's daughter, is about her father's bravery, outside of baseball.  read more

Age 5+
Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
4
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But Who Will Bell the Cats? by Cynthia von Buhler
Parents Need to Know...

that this story is based on one of Aesop's fables. This retelling includes princesses and castles as well as cats and mice.  read more

Age 5+
But Who Will Bell the Cats?
5
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The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull
Parents Need to Know...

that this is an inspiring biography about a boy who worked hard, and came up with the idea that led to the invention of the TV. read more

Age 6+
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth
5
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Flawed Dogs: The Novel: The Shocking Raid on Westminster by Berkeley Breathed
Parents Need to Know...

that this endearing book has some scenes that might be tough for sensitive readers to take. A dog is shot, hit by a car, loses his leg in a bear trap, and is separated from his owner. There are several exciting chases and dog fight ... read more

Age 8+
Flawed Dogs: The Novel: The Shocking Raid on Westminster
4
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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a rendition of the old song most kids have heard, and enjoy singing. The woman dies in the end, and in this book a tab pulls the eyes closed to show it. That interactive playfulness might add to the silliness for some kids, ... read more

Age 5+
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
3
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The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Parents Need to Know...

that though this story can feel somewhat dark with mentions of death in childbirth, legs crushed, and a near-fatal fall, there are wonderful messages to discuss with kids about how honesty and forgiveness can set you free. This is ... read more

Age 8+
The Magician's Elephant
5
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The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen
Parents Need to Know...

this picture book means well, but the bullying circus owner is so aggressively angry it’s hard to enjoy the pleasures of the book. Kids might be unsettled by the opening shipwreck scene, in which the circus owner orders the captain to ... read more

Age 5+
The Circus Ship
3
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Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish
Parents Need to Know...

there is nothing of concern in this light book. While this is about Amelia’s first day of school, it may not be a good choice for kids who haven’t yet been to class -- the word games might confuse them rather than help them learn what ... read more

Age 5+
Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School
3
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Aliens Are Coming! by Meghan McCarthy
Parents Need to Know...

that this picture book describes the very real drama following the 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast. The content is handled very well, but the story is likely to prompt conversations about public panic, trusting news reports, and ... read more

Age 5+
Aliens Are Coming!
4
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The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett
Parents Need to Know...

that this goofy fable makes a good case for settling disagreements with open-minded debate, rather than striking out with whatever you’ve got on hand. Knights react swiftly and strongly when someone accidentally crosses the line ... read more

Age 5+
The Marshmallow Incident
3
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Once Upon a Twice by Denise Doyen
Parents Need to Know...

that they should read this book through a couple of times before reading it aloud because the clever nonsense words can be stumbling blocks. Also, this may not be the story to read to sensitive kids who are already afraid of the night or ... read more

Age 6+
Once Upon a Twice
4
Dino.jpg
Dinotrux by Chris Gall
Parents Need to Know...

that this book mixes dinosaurs, trucks, and cavemen, all with playfully far-fetched humor and a storyline that is not to be taken seriously. The fantasy truck-animals are fierce looking and might be scary for younger, more impressionable ... read more

Age 5+
Dinotrux
3
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Best Friends by Jacqueline Wilson
Parents Need to Know...

that this book deals with the emotional ups and downs of friendship and loss when one friend moves away. Gemma acts out a little in response to this. She challenges someone to a fight that never happens, shouts in anger, and eats sweets ... read more

Age 8+
Best Friends
4
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Goldilicious by Victoria Kann
Parents Need to Know...

that kids who liked the first Pinkalicious book will probably like this third book in the "licious" series.  Also, anyone who wants to open a discussion on imaginary friends may find it helpful.  read more

Age 5+
Goldilicious
3
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Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales (audiobook) by Nelson Mandela
Parents Need to Know...

that this audio-book brings alive 16 of the African folktales Nelson Mandela gathered in a book by the same name. Stories are read by many different actors, and a pdf. of original illustrations is included. The proceeds benefit children ... read more

Age 8+
Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales (audiobook)
5
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Just in Case by Yuyi Morales
Parents Need to Know...

that kids who find Halloween too creepy might need some background to understand why the skeleton isn't really a bad guy and why people don't seem to be afraid of him. Kids who are already familiar with the Day of the Dead may need less ... read more

Age 5+
Just in Case
3
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The Girl Who Wanted to Dance by Amy Ehrlich
Parents Need to Know...

that Clara's parents are both more concerned with their own feelings than with hers. Her abandonment is the centerpiece of the book, but isn't satisfactorily resolved. read more

Age 6+
The Girl Who Wanted to Dance
2
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