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Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in helping struggling readers build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
 

Featured books by

Helen Oxenbury

Chubby-cheeked children, everyday activities, and simple pleasures are the hallmark of English illustrator and children's book writer, Helen Oxenbury. Meet some of her unforgettable characters — human and animal — in the pages of these books. Laugh with babies and toddlers as they go about daily routines, witness the humor as farm "injustice" turns about, and join a dad and his children as they go on a special jaunt — all in the pages of books by this much-loved author.

All Fall Down
All Fall Down
Age Level: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader

Young children will appreciate the game played by children (also in Tickle Tickle) in this sturdy book. Rhyming text and uncluttered illustrations are just right to share with the youngest child.

I Can
I Can
Age Level: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader

Young children can do a lot; and there are words for how they move. The baby can jump, bend, and much more — shown with little text and uncluttered illustrations in this sturdy board book made for sharing with the youngest child.

Pig Tale
Pig Tale
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Briggs and his wife Bertha are piggy pigs who feel that they need human luxuries to achieve happiness. The humor in this porcine tale is adult although children will appreciate the genuine emotions in the humorous illustrations.

Say Goodnight
Say Goodnight
Age Level: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader

Even the most active baby or toddler must sleep sometime, and in this story the children "say goodnight." Similar to Tickle Tickle and All Fall Down, this is a sure hit to share with babies and toddlers.

The Helen Oxenbury Nursery Collection
The Helen Oxenbury Nursery Collection
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Culled from earlier volumes, these poems, rhymes, and familiar folktales are ideal for sharing aloud. Signature illustrations further enliven each offering and are sure to please readers young and not-so-young.

Tickle Tickle
Tickle Tickle
Age Level: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader

Chubby cheeked babies of many hues are shown in crisp illustrations doing things that babies do. The simple words are playful and energetic, just like the children in this and others by Oxenbury such as Clap Hands and All Fall Down.

Books illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
By: Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Lewis Carroll's classic story of Alice and her fantastic journey has been freshly illustrated. Gentle, full-color illustrations retain the original tone and make the story appealing and accessible for modern children.

Alice down the rabbit hole comes to life in this masterful, unabridged reading of the classic fantasy, bringing it to life all over again.

Farmer Duck
Farmer Duck
By: Martin Waddell
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

A small format version of the story about overworked Duck, his stalwart friends, and a lazy farmer is accompanied by a CD. Limited animation and well-paced narration enliven the book while audio-only (a read-along) introduce this book in several ways.

So Much
So Much
By: Trish Cooke
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

With each "ding dong!" of the door bell, another relative joins Mom and the baby to play and enjoy each other until the last arrival when the celebration really begins. The extended family who loves Baby SO MUCH celebrates Daddy's birthday.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
By: Mem Fox
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader

From the opening lines to its satisfying conclusion, readers are introduced to babies from many cultures. Though each child is different, each has some things in common — "ten little fingers & ten little toes." The rhyming text and repeated phrase make this a wonderful book to share with children of many ages.

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
By: Eugene Trivizas
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

In this funny take-off on the traditional story, the adorable little wolves are hounded by a big, bad pig who figures out how to destroy the wolves' sturdy abodes. The surprise ending is both droll and satisfying, made more so because of the expressive illustrations.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
By: Michael Rosen
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

A father and his four children share an adventure through fields, over rivers and more. They go — and hastily return with a lumbering bear chasing them! Language lilts and repeats as the adventure unfolds, enhanced by clever illustrations.

Interested in wonderful interviews with tween and teen authors? Hop on over to our sister site, AdLit.org, and browse the library.

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Why are owlets Percy, Sarah, and Bill concerned?

Their mom is out
There's a fox nearby
Owls don't like nighttime

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