First grade is a time when kids really have a chance to identify themselves as readers. Often times they will still need a parent close by to help with tricky words, but they will be able to read more interesting stories. Even though I included it on the kindergarten list, Elephant and Piggie is one of my favorite book series for this age too. They are so fun and they vary in difficulty. Some of them really are more first grade than kindergarten reading level. Below are some other suggestions based on what our family has found to be the best book series for first grade.
Note that these first grade books are targeted at 6 and 7 year olds. However, remember that all children are different. Whatever your child’s age, they will have the most success if you find books that are at or just above their current reading level.
First Grade Book Series
Pigeon Books
Once your child has worked their way through the Elephant and Piggie series, the pigeon books are the next logical step. Mo Willems is a genius. These books are just as hilarious, but slightly more complicated for the more sophisticated reader. My kids enjoyed having these books read to them when they were in preschool and my fourth grader still picks them up and reads them once in awhile when he finds them out.
Fly Guy
My oldest child loved the Fly Guy series. They were probably the first books he started reading entirely on his own. Every time we would go the library, he would try to find another Fly Guy. I honestly didn’t read very many of these, but he thought they were very funny. Even when he had progressed passed this level, he would keep checking these out from the library and I wouldn’t say a thing.
Little Critter
I remember reading these Little Critter books with my grandma when I was a kid. They are cute and sweet and make good books for a child and parent to read together. There is a spider and mouse on each page for the child to find. There is no particular order to this series and some of the books are probably more second grade level than first grade. Check arbookfind.com to find the BL (book level) of a particular title.
Biscuit
We got a set of these books about Biscuit the dog from Costco and my daughter really liked them. We read some of these together, but this is probably the first series that she started reading on her own. For cat lovers, there is another similar set about a kitten named Mittens. Both sets are part of the My First I Can Read series.
Related Links:
Best Book Series for Kids
Best Books for Kids
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