As my twins\u2019 literacy and comprehension skills have grown, we’ve\u00a0searched for ways to keep them engaged with books that are age-appropriate yet slightly more advanced. One of the best options we\u2019ve found for them is early chapter books with full-color illustrations, a format that provides a nice bridge between picture books and chapter books. With a picture on nearly every page, these books feel similar to what little kids are used to seeing in picture books, but their vocabulary is slightly more advanced and their storylines are longer. Here are some great early chapter book series, featuring fun illustrations, that have kept us entertained at home.<\/p>\n
no no 9781680104585 Star Friends Series by Linda Chapman, illustrated by Lucy Fleming <\/p>\n
This adorable chapter book series<\/a> follows a group of girls who befriend magical forest animals. Together, the humans and animals tackle supernatural threats to their town. From classroom drama to dark magic, the girls face every challenge with courage and heart.<\/p>\n 9781101918265 A Narwhal and Jelly Book Series http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/NJB\/a-narwhal-and-jelly-book by Ben Clanton <\/p>\n This series<\/a> is about the oftentimes hilarious friendship between a narwhal and a jellyfish. While they may be different, they both love peanut butter and parties. The books are an introduction to graphic novels, and the focus on friendship and working together is perfect for this age. These are a great next step for fans of Mo Willems\u2019s Elephant & Piggie series<\/a>.<\/p>\n 9781524790394 Arnold and Louise Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/3AL\/arnold-and-louise\/ by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Chris Chatterton <\/p>\n Fans of Frog and Toad will adore this new series<\/a> about another unlikely pair. Arnold the bear is thoughtful and patient while Louise the chipmunk is loud and energetic. Though completely different, the two are best friends. The duo\u2019s antics will amuse kids, and the green and gray illustrations bring them to life with a forest-y vibe.<\/p>\n 9780593808542 Llama Quest Series by Megan Reyes, illustrated by Kay Davault <\/p>\n Young fantasy lovers will enjoy this magical chapter book series<\/a>. When Dak meets Fenn and Lucy \u2014 a talking, scarf-wearing, purple llama \u2014 he gets pulled into a quest to save his kingdom from a series of threats. Whether searching for stolen items, facing down dragons, or dodging magic spells, Dak leans on his friends every step of the way.<\/p>\n 9780385730174 Nate the Great Series http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/NTG\/nate-the-great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont <\/p>\n This long-running and fan-favorite series<\/a> starring a kid detective will appeal to avid and reluctant readers alike. Simont\u2019s illustrations are done in black-and-white and color and they portray some of the sly humor of Sharmat\u2019s writing. Encourage kids to look for the clues in Simont\u2019s illustrations as they read along. Beware: You may end up with a budding detective of your own!<\/p>\n 9780744023848 The Secret Explorers Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/ZSC\/the-secret-explorers\/ by DK and SJ King <\/p>\n Magic Tree House fans will love this series<\/a> about a group of gifted children who travel across the globe \u2014 and through time. Whether they\u2019re blasting into outer space, diving under the sea, or zipping across the Arctic, these books will take your child on some wild adventures!<\/p>\n 9780593618776 Millie Magnus Chapter Book Series by Brittany Mazique, illustrated by Ebony Glenn <\/p>\n Readers who enjoy slice-of-life stories that deal with realistic scenarios will want to read this series<\/a>. It follows a girl named Millie as she navigates the ups and downs of third grade. From dealing with bullies to saving a neighborhood playground, Millie faces every challenge with courage and a can-do attitude.<\/p>\n 9780515158311 Princess Pulverizer Series by Nancy Krulik, illustrated by Ben Balistreri <\/p>\n This series<\/a> is about a princess, but by no means is she a girly character. Princess Pulverizer doesn\u2019t want a life filled with tea parties and ballroom dancing. Instead, she wants to go to Knight School to learn to wield a sword and slay dragons. But first, she must prove her valor by completing a Quest for Kindness. Featuring a quirky cast of characters and their hilarious escapades, expect lots of belly laughs from boys and girls alike. <\/p>\n 9780763645045 Mercy Watson Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/MER\/mercy-watson by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen <\/p>\n Award-winning author DiCamillo\u2019s series<\/a> about a mayhem-causing pig will have your child (and you) laughing out loud. Mercy is treated as a member of the family, despite being a giant pig. Her size and animal nature get her into a lot of trouble around her house and neighborhood. The illustrations are colorful and comical, perfectly capturing the hilarity of the stories.<\/p>\n 9780744063295 Timekeepers Series by SJ King <\/p>\n Introduce your growing reader to important historical events with this action-packed series<\/a>! The Timekeepers are a group of kids who use magical watches to slide through time. From the beaches of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to a clash between Viking clans, the kids must keep historical events on track. It\u2019s the perfect next read for fans of the Magic Tree House series!<\/p>\n 9781984850829 Unicorn Academy Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/D58\/unicorn-academy by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Lucy Truman <\/p>\n For unicorn lovers, illustrated chapter books don\u2019t get any better than this. Every girl gets paired with a unicorn at the Unicorn Academy<\/a>, and they become instant best friends. Children ages 6-9 will love reading these magical, rainbow-filled adventures. If your child finishes all 12 books, you can start them on the spin-off series Unicorn Academy Nature Magic<\/a>.<\/p>\n 9780763678883 The Princess in Black Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/PIB\/princess-in-black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham <\/p>\n If your daughter is like mine and loves princesses AND superheroes, this is the series<\/a> for you! Princess Magnolia has a secret life fighting monsters. With bright and bubbly illustrations that show the action in a non-threatening way, the stories demonstrate that princesses can be strong and brave. My son also enjoys the Princess\u2019s adventures.<\/p>\n 9780593526156 Beyond the Game: Athletes Change the World Series by Andrew Maraniss, illustrated by DeAndra Hodge <\/p>\n This new chapter book series<\/a> features athletes who make a difference in their sport and beyond. Each book features a different athlete, such as LeBron James, Pat Tillman, and Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Whetstone, and describes how they used their influence to make the world a better place. <\/p>\n 9780593380833 Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles: The Complete Series: Books 1-6<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/672454\/minecraft-woodsword-chronicles-the-complete-series-books-1-6-minecraft–woosdword-chronicles-by-nick-elipulos\/ by Nick Eliopulos <\/p>\n One of the best ways to get a video game-obsessed kid to read more is by giving them books about video games. This series of illustrated chapter books takes place in the world of Minecraft and is unrivaled in getting kids hooked on reading. Hand your child these books, and they\u2019ll be glued to the page for hours! <\/p>\n 9780763666439 Candlewick Sparks Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/CSP\/candlewick-sparks by various authors and illustrators <\/p>\n One of our favorite books in the Candlewick Sparks <\/em>series is The Monster in the Backpack<\/em><\/a>, which presents Annie as a girl with a seemingly major problem: When she unzips her new backpack, she finds a monster inside. Initially, the monster is a nuisance, but the two slowly learn to like each other and then love each other. Kids will love this goofy story, and Jones\u2019s digital art supports the comic nature of the story.<\/p>\n 9780147510679 Dory Fantasmagory Series by Abby Hanlon <\/p>\n Kids who enjoy quirky stories packed with imagination and humor need to add this series<\/a> to their \u201cto-read\u201d lists. Dory has a big vocabulary and an even bigger imagination. Whether she\u2019s trying to make a new friend or getting lost in a hardware store, her arch-nemesis, Mrs. Gobble Gracker, always shows up to make things worse. These hilarious chapter books will keep kids coming back for more.<\/p>\n 9780142400104 Cam Jansen Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/DMV\/cam-jansen\/ by David A. Adler <\/p>\n A bestseller for over thirty years, the Cam Jansen series<\/a> is a favorite for young mystery-solvers. A spunky fifth-grader with a photographic memory, Cam is clever, goodhearted, and always on the case. Every detective needs a sidekick, and Cam has a great one in her best friend, Eric. With so many cases to choose from, your reader won\u2019t run out of fun any time soon! <\/p>\n 9781680104899 Mermaids Rock Series by Linda Chapman, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega <\/p>\n From the author of the popular Star Friends series<\/a> comes another illustrated chapter book series<\/a> with mermaids, magic, monsters, friendship, and mystery. Each book offers an irresistible adventure that young readers will love, along with fun facts about the ocean and its animals.<\/p>\n 9780807508527 The Boxcar Children Mysteries Series by Gertrude Chandler Warner <\/p>\n This classic mystery series<\/a> has captured the hearts of generations of readers. It\u2019s about a family of orphans searching for a forever home and solving mysteries. With a staggering 160+ installments, voracious and casual readers alike will have no trouble finding a title that interests them. <\/p>\n 9780448487519 Jada Jones Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/JJ1\/jada-jones\/ by Kelly Starling Lyons <\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss out on Jada Jones, a budding science whiz who always tries her best, even when the new challenge at hand \u2014 like dancing or public speaking \u2014 doesn\u2019t feel the most natural. Complete with a charming cast of characters and two-color art that helps readers transition to black-and-white chapter books, this series<\/a> is a perfect bridge between two reading worlds. <\/p>\n 9781635651676 Magic on the Map Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/MC8\/magic-on-the-map\/ by Courtney Sheinmel and Bianca Turetsky, illustrated by Stevie Lewis <\/p>\n Twins Finn and Molly Parker aren\u2019t impressed with their dad\u2019s new camper \u2014 until they discover it can talk, and magically transport them, too! Each chapter book in this fun-filled series<\/a> brings the twins to a different state and includes a map and entertaining facts about that unique piece of the country. It\u2019s a wild ride captured in brilliant color. <\/p>\n 9781682637180 Buddy and Bea Series by Jan Carr, illustrated by Kris Mukai <\/p>\n Kids will love this high-energy chapter book series<\/a> about two kids who meet on the first day of second grade. Although they don\u2019t have much in common, Buddy and Bea form an unlikely friendship. Each book features a new challenge for the friends, from pet problems to picture-day fiascos.<\/p>\n 9780593122983 The Magnificent Makers Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/MM8\/the-magnificent-makers by Theanne Griffith, illustrated by Reggie Brown <\/p>\n Help your kid get their STEM on with these informative chapter books about a group of friends that go on science-related escapades. With riddles, magic portals, challenges, and science experiments for readers to complete, this series<\/a> is an excellent choice for budding scientists.<\/p>\n 9780679824114 Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by AG Ford <\/p>\n The Magic Tree House series<\/a> is the most popular illustrated chapter book series for kids. Send your young reader on dozens of time-traveling adventures with these highly engaging stories. If your child wants to learn the facts behind the fiction, check out the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series<\/a>. Kids will also fall in love with the full-color graphic novel adaptations<\/a>.<\/p>\n 9780593750384 Superpower Puppies Series by Corey Powell, illustrated by Kristen Humphrey <\/p>\n