Recommended Reading

Hi Friends,

Finally, the first fall chill is in the air. Time to cuddle up with a good book. The September Children’s Picture Book list featured several picture books listed on the Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading Program List. The post features additional picture books listed for your reading pleasure. If you missed the September post; here is a quick recap of the Mensa list.

The Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading Program List Grade (K-3) is a great reference for providing a variety of reading suggestions.  The list is organized alphabetically by title so it is a little challenging to select resources by reading level.  The first list K-3 has books ranging from classic picture books to early chapter books.  In this post, I am going to highlight 10 of the children’s picture books listed on this Mensa Reading Program List.  

Other picture books on the Mensa Reading Program List that have been featured in previous posts include, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Harry and the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey, Curious George by H.A. Rey, Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel and a host of other wonderful picture books featured in part 1 of this blog post.   

This post shares with you some great picture book resources to start reading with your children.   Book images in this post include amazon affiliate links and ads.  I may receive commission from clicks or purchases from the site links.  Clicking on the book image will open a new tab for shopping books from this list.  The book images also provide a reference for library or independent bookstore browsing. 

Here are 10 recommended picture books to read with your child.

• Abuela – by Arthur Dorros

Abuela by Arthur Dorros is a beautiful story between a granddaughter and grandmother set in New York City.  The story is about dreaming and imagining and being.  It mixes English and Spanish in a beautiful way. 

• George and Martha by James Marshall

George and Martha by James Marshall is about two hippos that are friends.  The short stories are about hippos doing things like humans but they are not humans, they are hippos.  It’s funny to see hippos acting like humans.  They don’t always get it right which makes it even more interesting and provides opportunities for children and parents to talk about each situation.

• How the Leopard Got His Claws by Chinua Achebe

This fable from African heritage tells the story of how the leopard got his claws.  The images are drawn in the African style.  The story tells the struggle of power between the animals in the animal kingdom. 

• If I Never Forever Endeavor by Holly Meade

Sometimes it’s hard to take on new challenges or experience new things.  This book provides encouragement for readers to know that they can do it.  The beautiful illustrations take the story to new heights.   

• Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus

Sometimes it feels like everyone is moving forward but you.  I really related to Leo as the youngest it’s sometimes easy to feel like you can’t do what everyone else can.  Not every child learns to read early.  Some are just not interested.  In time, it will happen, with positive encouragement and in their own good time, in their own good way. They will bloom.  

• Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky

Little Toot loves to play even when there is work to be done.  He prefers to make figure eights in the calm river.  The other tug boats didn’t think much of little toot.  Until one day when a big storm comes.  Little Toot is brave; he sends out the warning. When no other tug can make it he summons the courage to tug the ocean liner himself.  Everyone opinion of Little Toot changed after that day, even his.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

The classic story of Madeline features a brave little girl in the City of Paris. Madeline takes ill and must be taken to the hospital.  All the girls that lived in the house visit Madeline in the hospital.  Madeline is showered with gifts and all the girls are jealous. Soon Ms. Clavel sets all things right.  

• Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Burton

This classic story about working hard and loyalty shows the adventures of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne.  The two can take on any kind of project.  As time goes on, bigger machines start to arrive at the job site, but hard work and loyalty never go out of style. 

• Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag

The sweet old couple is lonely and want to get a cat.  When the old man goes searching for a cat, he finds not just one but millions and billions and trillions of cats.  Which one would he choose? Sometimes too many options are not a good thing.  In the end, it was the cat that selected the old couple.  Peace and quiet return to the small house with the old couple and one humble cat.

• Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

This African Folktale is a retelling of the Cinderella story.  Mufaro has two beautiful daughters, but one is kind and one is scheming.  Nyasha loves working in her garden and caring for her garden pet.  Nyasha shares her kindness with everyone she meets no matter who they are or what they look like. In this story, kindness and goodness overcome manifestation.  In the end, the king is able to see true beauty both inside and out.