The Magic Tree House by Mary Osbourne Pope is a series of books with a history theme, making them perfect for families that homeschool, geared toward grades 2-4. There are two children, Jack and Annie, who travel to various historical places using a magical tree house. There are a total of 66 books.

These fictionalized children’s books of real times and places are a great way to introduce your child to various times and places in history and the world. Homeschooling families can use these books as a great way to break up their history reading in other more focused reading with these chapter novels.

Eric Carle is a children’s author and illustrator of numerous books and collectibles. He has more than 70 million books in print after an extensive writing career.

His books are beautiful art works usually done in college and many have additional textures including lights, shiny items and noise makers (not too loud though). Many are books about nature but he also covers the basics in children’s literature.

My children read picture books through 5th grade or so because I prefer the vocabulary and rhyming and Eric Carle is at the top of our list for the prek-3rd grade.

The Box Car Children by Gertrude Chandler Warren is a children’s series created and written originally in 1942. It is aimed at Grades 2-4. The series begins with a story of four children who run away from their grandfather who end up living in a boxcar. There are more than 100 books in the series with only the first 19 written by the creator Gertrude Warran. There are also a variety of spin-offs,including board books and cookbooks.

I invite you to check out these books for your early reader who is moving into chapter books. They are great fun.

Okay, maybe you have already read J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. But who wouldn’t love this.