2nd grade read aloud

All posts in the 2nd grade read aloud category

Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner

Published January 3, 2013 by Dagmar

overandunderThis book is wonderful and so eye-opening for my students, many of whom live in urban Oakland and haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing a snowfall.  I love asking my first graders to close their eyes and imagine the cold and the soft snow beneath them.  Then, we talk about all the different animals that live above and below the snow.  The illustrations, by Christopher Silas Neal, are wonderful.

Synopsis: A father and his daughter ski through the woods.  The father explains about all the different animals living above and below the snow, including owls, shrews, deer, deer mice, voles, snowshoe hares, bullfrogs, foxes, chipmunks, black bears and bumble bees.

Press Here, by Herve Tullet

Published December 28, 2012 by Dagmar

presshereIf you’ve ever wanted to make a young audience scream with delight, read them this book.  You’ll need an audience volunteer.  Press Here is magical. Not only did my older students absolutely loved it, but my younger students are completely overjoyed by it.  I had to ask them to keep it down, or the fifth grade next door wouldn’t be able to work!  (My first graders even recognized a pattern in the book and started chanting it.) Highly recommended as a read aloud.

Synopsis: Follow the instructions in the book (involving pressing dots,  shaking the book or clapping) to see what happens.  Is it magic?  Maybe!

The Best Pet of All, by David LaRochelle

Published December 12, 2012 by Dagmar

bestpetHave you ever asked your mom for a dog and gotten the run around?  “Dogs are too loud.”  “Dogs are too messy.”  Well, what if you asked her for a dragon?  Thinking that she’s being clever, Mom says “yes” to the dragon. Big mistake.  It turns out that dragons are VERY bad pets and won’t leave when you ask them to leave. Luckily, they are terrified of dogs.  So, when it’s time to get rid of the dragon, what better choice than a dog?  This funny, clever book won applause from my second graders.  What a great read aloud!

Cat Up a Tree, by John and Ann Hassett

Published December 6, 2012 by Dagmar

catupatreeSuch a funny book! A great read aloud for K-2.

Synopsis: Nana Quimby sees cats up a tree and calls for help.  Every person she calls, including the fireshouse, the post office, the police station and city hall all say they can’t help.  Soon there are forty cats up a tree! Finally Nana lets the cats into her house.  When the mayor calls reporting mice everywhere in town, Nana Quimby gives him her own, very unhelpful response.

The Perfect Present, by Fiona Robertson

Published November 16, 2012 by Dagmar

perfectpresentWith messages about friendship and just the right amount of suspense this wonderful book really captured the attention of my 2nd graders.   The book is broken up into small chapters, which I think add to the suspense.  I enjoyed the simple illustrations.

Synopsis: It’s Henry’s birthday.  He is just about to open a special birthday present from his pet duck, Spot, when his grandparents arrive with a pet puppy.  Henry forgets all about Spot’s present and rushes off to play with his new puppy.  Spot is disappointed and thinks that Henry no longer needs him, now that he has a new puppy as a pet.  Spot runs away.  While trying to cross a river in a storm, Spot gets stuck in a tree.  Luckily, Henry’s new dog tracks Spot to the river.  Using the fishing rod Spot bought for him, Henry is able to save both his puppy and Spot.  Henry and Spot agree that the puppy can be their perfect pet.

The Perfect Nest, by Catherine Friend

Published November 13, 2012 by Dagmar

the perfect nestWhat a funny and fun read aloud with a very satisfying ending.  This is your chance to accents and animation.  If you do, you’re sure to get lots of laughs.  Perfect for 2nd grade read alouds.
Synopsis: A cat named Jack loves eggs and omeletes.  So, he makes the perfect nest so that birds will come and lay their eggs.  When the birds find the nest, they love it.  In fact, Jack finds that the Spanish-speaking chicken, the French duck and Southern goose love it so much, they argue about who will get the nest.  Jack solves the problem by telling them about another “perfect” nest at the next farm.  The birds race to claim the next nest, leaving their eggs behind.  When the eggs hatch, Jack has a whole new problem to deal with.