For chapter books, are you reading to your child, or is your child reading chapter books independently? If so, at what grade level, approximately?

My 4-year-old, reading at about a 3rd grade level, has really enjoyed reading the Notebook of Doom series (a Scholastic Branches series) to themselves. The heroes are secretly monsters and a lot of things about differences between individuals are addressed in that context. From what I've seen, the girls are strong and smart, without the boys being dumb/silly.

Magic Tree House, and the other Scholastic Branches series (Dragon Masters, etc.) are also fun. The Branches books tend to address issues such as race obliquely, via fantasy-world parallels.

Ben Hatke's "Zita the Space Girl" graphic novels are great for independent readers at that age looking for a strong female character. Ditto Jonny Duddle's Pirates books. (His illustrated books, starting with "The Pirate Cruncher" are great fun, too.)

My kiddo has really enjoyed early-reader biographies of George Washington Carver, Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, and other historical people of color. You might consider that too.

Mia Mayhem. The child superhero is black and she has adventures with other superheroes with disabilities.

Anonymous wrote:But for books that don't need any balancing, there's Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family series. I think Beverly Cleary's Ramona books generally work, along with The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Charlotte's Web is as good as ever and my kids have enjoyed it at 4&5, along with both the live action and the animated movies. My Father's Dragon is good also.

My 4 and 6 year old enjoy Ramona, but I have to regularly pause to explain certain concepts or words, and even with my explanations, I find that a fair bit goes over their heads.

There's a nice Pete the Cat book that has a bunch of stories collected together.

Berenstein Bears is also nice, but be aware that some of the stories are pretty religious.

When you say "chapter books," do you specifically want books that continue a single continuous plot over multiple chapters? In this category, I think Dory Fantasmagory is silly enough and has enough pictures that even a four year old can enjoy.

Or are you OK with the so-called chapter books that are really just a bunch of distinct stories bound together and featuring the same characters? For the latter, Little Critter collections are great for that age.

Kayla and King

My four year old loves Winnie-the-Pooh.

Arnold Lobel books (Frog and Toad author) still work today. Cynthia Rylant's books are also good.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. Have any classics (besides frog and toad which we already have) withstood the test of time?

It depends on how you handle the test of time, I think. In our home we read classics that have views we disagree with, while making sure to include books with different viewpoints as well. Basically we follow the approach of "balance out Little House with The Birchbark House" as recommended by the book "The Enchanted Hour." We don't necessarily do that approach at 4, but for elementary kids we do.

But for books that don't need any balancing, there's Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family series. I think Beverly Cleary's Ramona books generally work, along with The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Charlotte's Web is as good as ever and my kids have enjoyed it at 4&5, along with both the live action and the animated movies. My Father's Dragon is good also.

Thanks all. Have any classics (besides frog and toad which we already have) withstood the test of time?

Frog & Toad is my favorite.

Books featuring diverse protagonists:

* Anna Hibiscus (people quibble about the fact that it's set in "amazing Africa," but the author has a good explanation for that one)
* No. 1 Car Spotter (out of print, so a little harder to find, but by same author)
* Lulu and the Animals series
* Cilla-Lee Jenkins, Future Author Extraordinaire and sequels
* Ling and Ting (these are easy readers by Grace Lin, but they do read aloud OK)
* Zooey and Sassafras series
* The Great Cake Mystery

"Good values" books:
* Brambly Hedge (longer picture books)
* Petunia books (also longer picture books)
* Second Frog & Toad

Put in your pocket for when your kids are older:
* The Vanderbeekers series

Frog and toad?

Nothing about gender or race but they’re classic

Magic Tree House

I’m looking for some that project good values, gender/racial inclusion and equity, etc. A plus if they’re entertaining for both parents and kids! So far the Questioneers series have been a hit. Thanks!