Jumpstart’s Favorite Books & Reading Tips

When reading with your child, every story can be an exciting and fun learning opportunity to build language and knowledge! Below is a list of Jumpstart’s all-time favorite books read to children in the Jumpstart session that you can read to your children at home:

Jumpstart’s All-Time Favorite Books

Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by David Soman and Jacky Davis

2012 Jumpstart Read for the Record Campaign Book

A girl named Lulu or otherwise known as Ladybug Girl, gathers her friends Bumblebee Boy, Dragonfly Girl, Butterfly Girl for some imaginary fun. Lulu and her friends learn about friendship, feelings, and courage.

• Oonga Boonga by Frieda Wishinsky

Babies need a lot of care and all family members try to soothe Baby Louise. Only her brother Daniel can make her stop crying by saying the words “oonga boonga” and “bunka wunka.”

• The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges

The Little Red Hen discovers that she needs a pan and the ingredients to make a pizza, so she asks her friends for help. They are too busy, so Little Red Hen does all the work herself. When the pizza is ready, they gladly accept her invitation to dinner.

• One Dark Night by Hazel Hutchins

A surprise visitor—-a stray cat—-arrives one night as a thunderstorm approaches. Jonathan watches the cat as it leaves suddenly and returns twice more, each time bringing another new kitten to safety.

• Gilberto and the Wind by Marie Hall Ets

Gilberto hears the wind whispering at the door and runs out to play. The wind teases Gilberto by carrying his balloon away and breaking his umbrella. The wind is playful too, racing Gilberto, lifting his soap bubbles, knocking down an apple for him to eat, and gently lulling him to sleep.

• The Puddle Pail by Elisa Kleven

Ernest, a young blue crocodile wants to collect things just like his big brother, Sol, does. He thinks that puddles and their reflections are beautiful, so he decides to start a puddle collection. Then he mixes puddle water with watercolors and paints the things he reflected in his puddle pail, creating a collection of paintings.

• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard search for just the right place to nest. After the ducklings hatch, the family settles in the perfect home in the Boston Public Gardens.