The jump from beginning reading to first chapter books is a big one! And can feel very uncertain, intimidating and overwhelming for young ones. So, when parents ask me where to start, I say start with shorter books that contain full color illustrations and larger text. This way your little kiddo doesn’t feel quite so overwhelmed, by the idea of chapter books.

Still sit by them while they get their feet under them with these chapter books. Especially, if they haven’t wanted to read on their own or the idea of a chapter book feels like a hard pass for them. But once they get the hang of it, these books are great for them to pick up and read on their own gaining confidence and sparking their excitement for reading!

If you have already discovered amazing world of Mercy Watson, than I know you are going to love this list of books. I often get asked for more book recommendations like, Mercy Watson, so for those looking for a list like that…you can get excited!

Mercy Watson

By: Kate DeCamillo

Mercy Watson is not your ordinary pig, she is a genuine porcine wonder, according to Mr. And Mrs. Watson. Follow her on her adventures and funny antics. You’ll never look at buttered toast the same again! These books are 80 pages long and there are 6 of them in the series.

Sydney and Taylor

By: Jacqueline Davis

Sydney is a skunk and Taylor is a hedgehog, but no matter how odd the pairing may seem, their friendship comes naturally. You’ll love these sweet stories of two best friends and their adventures. These books are 80 pages long and currently there are 3 books in the series.

King And Kayla

By: Dori Hillstead Butler

Follow along with Kayla and her dog King as they solve mysteries and find the many things that go missing. These are fun easy mysteries! These books are about 48 pages long and there are currently 8 books in the series.

Juana And Lucus

By: Juana Medina

Juana loves many things: drawing, living in Bogotá, Colombia, and especially her dog, Lucas, the best amigo ever. A fun way to introduce kids to a new country and see few spanish words sprinkled into the text here and there. This book is around 96 pages long and currently there are 3 books in this series.

Princess In Black

By: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Who says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black! These books are about 96 pages long and there are currently 9 books in the series.

Yasmin

By: Saadia Faruqi

Meet Yasmin! Yasmin is a spunky second grader who’s always lookin for creative ways to solve life’s little problems. These books are around 80 pages and currently there are 24 books in this series!

Dairy of a Pug

By: Kyla May

Baron von Bubbles, a.k.a “Bub,” is the self-proclaimed cutest pug on the planet! Things he loves: fashion, peanut butter, and his human, Bella. Things he does NOT love: Nutz the squirrel, baths, and the rain. These books are about 80 pages long and currently there are 8 books in the series.

Cornbread And Poppy

By: Matthew Cordell

Cornbread LOVES planning. Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy…is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends. You’ll love these two best friends! These books are about 80 pages long and currently there are 2 books in the series, but a third releasing in the new year.

Wallace And Grace

By: Heather Alexander

Kids will be absolutely love these simple whodunit mysteries as they follow Wallace and Grace, the owl duo who are on the case! Once Wallace and Grace are on the case the mystery will be solved. These books are 80 pages long and currently there are 3 books in this series.

Owl Dairies

By: Rebecca Elliott

These books are presented in the form of a diary. So, each page reads as if Eva Wingdale is spilling her thoughts and feelings onto each page. The series has its own vernacular (Owlementary school), which is cute, but might take a second for your child to catch onto and need a little help reading. These books are 80 pages long and currently there are 17 books in the series.

Caveboy

By: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Caveboy is just like any other boy . . . he loves playing base-skull, running really fast, and especially whacking things with his club! You kiddo is going to love Caveboy and his funny antics. These books are 80 pages long and currently there are 3 in the series.

Ricky Ricotta

By: Dav Pilkey

These books were originally printed in black and white, but in recent years have been reprinted in full color illustrations. I only mention that, because if you check them out from the library or buy them used they might only be black and white.

Ricky Ricotta lives in Squeakyville with his mom and dad. Ricky has a hard time making friends at school, and the neighborhood bullies are always picking on him. If only Ricky could find someone to be his best buddy! Meanwhile, a mad scientist named Dr. Stinky McNasty has created a Mighty Robot who is as gentle as he is powerful. You’re kiddo is going to love this fun action packed series! These books are about 112 pages long and there are 9 books in the series.

Super Happy Party Bears

By: Marcie Colleen

To the Super Happy Party Bears, everything is a good thing. Their entire attitude can be summed up in one word: YAY! They love doughnuts, dancing, and above all else―a good party. Not so for the rest of the animals living in the Grumpy Woods. They find the bears terribly annoying.

These books are on the longer side and have slightly less pictures, but they are still worth noting, because they are so good and have full color illustrations! These books are about 144 pages long and there are 8 books in the series.

Barkus

By: Patricia Maclachlan

The text is a little smaller in these next few book series (below), but I still highly recommend them for this age group, because of the full color illustrations and cute storyline.

Barkus is always having great adventures with his family. You enjoy reading about this fun loving dog and his family! These books are about 46 pages long and there are currently 3 books in the series.

Nate The Great

By: Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

I loved this series as a kid! I still remember how accomplished I felt when I read one of these books! I felt like a real reader, reading big books! While the text in these books is on the smaller side I wanted to include it, because it’s a great beginning chapter book series.

Join the world’s greatest detective, Nate the Great, as he solves the mysteries around his neighborhood. These books are about 80 pages long and there are currently 29 in the series.

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