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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 working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.
 

Featured books by

Lane Smith

Reading Rockets recommends the following books by Lane Smith.

John, Paul, George & Ben
John, Paul, George & Ben
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Fact and fiction, old and new styles of illustration, wit and seriousness combine in this pithy, lighthearted look at four luminaries in American history. Only mature readers will appreciate the title's name play but are sure to chuckle at the take on John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin. Fact is clearly differentiated from fun at book's end.

The Happy Hocky Family
The Happy Hocky Family
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Humdrum family activities turn into stand-up comedy in text and illustrations with the understated lines in this parody of the old "Dick & Jane" readers. Newly independent readers will appreciate the short sentences presented in short stories, illustrated to look like books from the 1950s; sophisticated readers will appreciate the spoof.

Books illustrated by Lane Smith

Baloney (Henry P.)
Baloney (Henry P.)
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Human kids will understand where little green, freckle-faced Henry P. Baloney is coming from. He's late again, and is sure to serve detention forever if he can't come up with a good excuse for his teacher as to why he's late again. Words Henry uses sound truly alien, but there's enough context to figure out their meaning - and a funny surprise waiting at book's end.

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
By: Dr. Seuss & Jack Prelutsky
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Rough sketches and ideas by the original Dr. Seuss were completed after his death by a jubilant collaboration between poet Jack Prelutsky and illustrator Lane Smith. Not only will readers glimpse Theodor Geisel's process of creation, they will delight in meeting Miss Bonkers and the Diffendoofer School presented in Seussian text and illustrations that integrate Smith's signature style with familiar Geisel.

Knights of the Kitchen Table (Time Warp Trio series)
Knights of the Kitchen Table (Time Warp Trio series)
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader

As a gift from his magician uncle, Joe receives The Book setting into motion a series of humorous time travel adventures. Joe and his friends, Fred and Sam, travel to King Arthur's England where they meet dragons, knights and more in this first Time Warp Trio trip. Smith's black/white illustrations punctuate the action in this fast-paced tale.

Math Curse
Math Curse
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

The narrator's curse begins when she is told by her math teacher that math is all around. And so it is - including every part of this very funny book as it examines math and its functions. Text and illustration are seamlessly one allowing the book to be appreciated on several levels.

Science Verse
Science Verse
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

This boy's curse begins when his teacher suggests that the "poetry of science" can be heard everywhere. From Moore to Frost, familiar poems are parodied and turned into science verse. Again art and illustration are inseparable as are the laughs in this offbeat look at science.

Squids Will Be Squids
Squids Will Be Squids
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Scieszka and Smith set sights on creating fresh fables - short traditional tales intended to teach a moral lesson. With humorous twists and take-offs, new, different and wacky fables are presented for readers' edification and amusement.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

The incomparable author and illustrator team retells traditional tales such as the "Gingerbread Man" and the "Little Red Hen" in inventive and hilarious ways, sure to make readers familiar with the originals laugh out loud. Even the traditional format of the book is changed to suit the absurdity of the new versions, for a memorable reading experience.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Alexander T. Wolf tells his side of the story which he tells from jail: the true story. All of the sympathy goes toward those three rude little pigs; Alexander was framed. Well, the real story started with a cup of sugar and a sneeze…all illustrated with Smith's semiabstract, angular and sophisticated style.

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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