Research Guides: Early & Emergent Readers: Transitional Readers

About Transitional Readers

Seven and eight year old's will often fall into the transitional reader category. The transitional reader is exemplified through a more independent reader, who is able to use phonics and page clues to access meaning and flow through the story. Interests of the reader have begun to evolve and mature content is more critical to the reader. Parents only gentle coaxing should be needed at this level.

Transitional Reader

The Best Family in the World by Susana Lopez; Ulises Wensell (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE LOP
Publication Date: 2010
Carlota is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the family who is adopting her. She imagines that they might be astronauts, pastry chiefs or even pirates. And then Carlota finds out that the Lopez family is the best family in the world.
The Book That Eats People by John Perry; Mark Fearing (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE PER
Publication Date: 2009
WARNING! THIS IS NOT A BEDTIME STORY! Legend has it there exists a book that eats people.
The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg; Bruce Ingman (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE AHL
Publication Date: 2008
A lonely pencil timidly draws a boy, a dog, and other items but soon faces a problem as his creations begin demanding changes, and when he draws an eraser to make them happy, the real trouble begins.
The Runaway Dinner by Allan Ahlberg; Bruce Ingman (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE AHL
Publication Date: 2006
A young boy named Banjo Cannon always eats a sausage for dinner, until the night that his sausage--and the rest of his meal--runs away.
Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek by Eileen Christelow
Call Number: YE CHR
Publication Date: 2004
Mama's out dancing, and Lulu, the babysitter, is in charge. The Five Little Monkeys are supposed to go to bed, but they convince Lulu there's time for just one game of hide-and-seek first...
Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow
Call Number: YE CHR
Publication Date: 1991
While their mother takes a nap, five mischievous monkeys discover that it is unwise to tease Mr. Crocodile.
Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do by Eileen Christelow
Call Number: YE CHR
Publication Date: 1996
The five little monkeys have nothing to do, so Mama suggests they clean the house to prepare for Aunt Bessie's visit. But do they really get it clean?
Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car by Eileen Christelow
Call Number: YE CHR
Publication Date: 2000
The five little monkeys and Mama are eager to get a new car. The five little monkeys clean and paint their old car until it sparkles like new. But who will buy it?
Good Luck Bear by Greg Foley
Call Number: YE FOL
Publication Date: 2009
When Bear's friend Mouse tells him that finding a four-leaf clover is lucky, the little bear searches for one, despite the discouraging words of other animals.
Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág
Call Number: YE GAG
Publication Date: 1928
Once upon a time there was an old man and an old woman who were very lonely. They decided to get a cat, but when the old man went out searching, he found not one cat, but millions.
Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes
Call Number: YE HEN
Publication Date: 1987
When brave Sheila Rae, who usually looks out for her sister Louise, becomes lost and scared one day, Louise comes to the rescue.
The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
Call Number: YE CAR
Publication Date: 1984
The chameleon's life was not very exciting until the day it discovered it could change not only its color but its shape and size too.
Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo
Call Number: YE CAS
Publication Date: 2011
When a little boy sees a turtle basking in the sun at the park, he thinks he's found the perfect pet. But did he?
An Awesome Book of Thanks! by Dallas Clayton
Call Number: YE CLA
Publication Date: 2010
Celebrates all the things for which to be thankful, from boats and cars to alligator acrobats and gigantic dinomachines, and from the things that can be seen everyday to the bad things that may turn out to be good.
I Don't Want a Posh Dog! by Emma Dodd
Call Number: YE DOD
Publication Date: 2009
A girl describes in rhyming text the types of dogs she does not want, and finally arrives at a dog that she can call her own.
Lots of Spots by Lois Ehlert
Call Number: YE EHL
Publication Date: 2010
Birds and beasts from all walks of the animal kingdom are gathered here in this collection of poems about animal camouflage and adornment.
Hello Baby! by Mem Fox; Steve Jenkins (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE FOX
Publication Date: 2009
A baby encounters a variety of young animals, including a clever monkey, a hairy warthog, and a dusty lion cub, before discovering the most precious creature of all.
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox; Helen Oxenbury (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE FOX
Publication Date: 2008
Babies are born in different places and in different circumstances, but they all share the commonality of ten cute little fingers and ten cute little toes.
When Stella Was Very, Very Small by Marie-Louise Gay
Call Number: YE GAY
Publication Date: 2009
Ever-inquisitive, carrot-top Stella takes a peek at her early days when she couldn't read but, now that she's grown, she can read to her little brother.
Perfect Square by Michael Hall
Call Number: YE HAL
Publication Date: 2011
A perfect square that is perfectly happy is torn into pieces, punched with holes, crumpled, and otherwise changed but finds in each transformation that it can be something new, and just as happy.
Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord; Derek Anderson (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE LOR
Publication Date: 2010
A hamster, with the help of a canine junkyard dealer and his mouse assistants, builds a hot rod and drives it in a race against some very large dogs.
Lola Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn; Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE MAC
Publication Date: 2010
Lola loves to hear Daddy read a new library book each night, an activity that spurs her imagination and results in inventive play the next day.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin; Eric Carle (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE MAR
Publication Date: 1991
Zoo animals from polar bear to walrus make their distinctive sounds for each other, while children imitate the sounds for the zookeeper.
My Farm Friends by Wendell Minor
Call Number: YE MIN
Publication Date: 2011
Is there anything cuter than a little lamb or playful piglet? Farm animals are fascinating, and they are full of surprises, too.
Peeny Butter Fudge by Toni Morrison; Slade Morrison; Joe Cepeda (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE MOR
Publication Date: 2009
Children spend the day with their grandmother, who ignores their mother's carefully planned schedule in favor of activities that are much more fun.
Beautiful Ballerina by Marilyn Nelson; Susan Kuklin
Call Number: Y 792 N
Publication Date: 2009
On today's ever-changing cultural stage, ballerinas come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. Celebrate the beauty of all.
Would I Trade My Parents? by Laura Joffe Numeroff; James Bernardin (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE NUM
Publication Date: 2009
A young boy considers what is special about all of his friends' parents, and realizes that his own are the most wonderful of all.
Kindergarten Diary by Antoinette Portis
Call Number: YE POR
Publication Date: 2010
Annalina's diary entries reflect her feelings and experiences as she goes from being afraid to go to kindergarten to loving it during her first month of school.
Bandit by Karen Rostoker-Gruber; Vincent Nguyen (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE ROS
Publication Date: 2008
Poor Bandit! His toy basket, fuzzy mouse, blanket, and bed are gone. So is his litter box, food bowl, and tuna. Then his owner carries him to the car. What's happening?
Josefina by Jeanette Winter
Call Number: YE WIN
Publication Date: 1996
Count along in English and Spanish with a Mexican folk artist as she sculpts her world from clay.
Woof by Sarah Weeks; Holly Berry (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE WEE
Publication Date: 2009
Despite a language barrier, a dog and cat fall in love with the help of a buried trombone.
City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems; Jon J. Muth (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2010
Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog's rock to play games with him, but during the winter things change for them both.
Ugly Pie by Lisa Wheeler; Heather Solomon (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE WHE
Publication Date: 2010
After baking a scrumptious Ugly Pie, made from ingredients donated by his neighbors, Ol' Bear invites everyone over for a slice.
Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates
Call Number: YE YAT
Publication Date: 2010
Dog loves books SO much he opens his very own bookstore.
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan; Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE KHA
Publication Date: 2010
Having to take her younger sister along the first time she is invited to a birthday party spoils Rubina's fun, and later when that sister is asked to a party and baby sister wants to come, Rubina must decide whether to help.
A Treeful of Pigs by Arnold Lobel; Anita Lobel (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE LOB
Publication Date: 1979
A farmer's wife uses drastic measures to get her husband to abandon his lazy ways.
Moon Rabbit by Natalie Russell
Call Number: YE RUS
Publication Date: 2009
A city rabbit befriends a country rabbit, but soon she misses her home with its cafes and bright lights.
Squashed in the Middle by Elizabeth Winthrop; Pat Cummings (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE WIN
Publication Date: 2005
When Daisy, a middle child, is invited to spend the night at her friend's house, her family finally pays attention to her.
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 2009
Wilbur is different from the other Naked Mole Rats in his Colony, because he wears clothes (and he likes it!).
Alex and Lulu: Two of a Kind by Lorena Siminovich
Call Number: YE SIM
Publication Date: 2009
Meet best friends Alex and Lulu. Alex loves having noisy, exciting adventures, and Lulu likes painting and making things. Even though they are different, they always have fun together.
Chester's Masterpiece by Mélanie Watt
Call Number: YE WAT
Publication Date: 2010
Chester is thrilled to write his own book.
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children by Jack Prelutsky (Selected by); Arnold Lobel (Illustrator)
Call Number: Y 821 R
Publication Date: 1983
Everyone's favorite poems are complemented by fresh new voices and organized into such unusual themes as food, the city, spooky poems, and word play.
Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson; Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE WOO
Publication Date: 2010
When Mama's pregnancy draws attention away from Gia, she worries that the special bond they share will disappear forever once the baby is born.
Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
Call Number: Y BRU
Publication Date: 2009
Get ready to party! It's Bad Kitty's birthday, and guess who's on the guest list? Chatty Kitty, Strange Kitty, Stinky Kitty, and her other neighborhood "pals". Join the fun!
My Garden by Kevin Henkes
Call Number: YE HEN
Publication Date: 2010
After helping her mother weed, water, and chase the rabbits from their garden, a young girl imagines her dream garden complete with jellybean bushes, chocolate rabbits, and tomatoes the size of beach balls.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams; Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)
Call Number: YE WIL
Publication Date: 1986
A little old lady who is not afraid of anything must deal with a pumpkin head, a tall black hat, and other spooky objects that follow her through the dark woods trying to scare her.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Call Number: YE CAR
Publication Date: 1976
Classic tale of a voracious caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week and then changes into a beautiful butterfly.
Subway Story by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Call Number: YE SAR
Publication Date: 2011
Jessie, a subway car "born" in St. Louis, Missouri, enjoys many years as an important part of the New York City subway system, and after she is replaced by more modern cars she begins another important job.