Book For Beginning Readers Novels & Stories

Several Weeks Later Jasper slowly eased his body onto its side. Mimicking sleep, he intently listened to the conversation between a young woman named, Cora, and the old nurse he’d heard called both Bess and Smithfield. He’d assumed that her true name was Elizabeth Smithfield with Bess being the nick name for Elizabeth, but names were funny things. He’d noticed the increasing pattern of nick names or abbreviated names being given to children at birth by parents wanting to be different. Therefore, he could have been incorrect on that assumption.

Mercedes smiled. The threesome didn’t see her when she stepped into the room. What a heartwarming scene with Lizzy and James perched on William’s lap as he read them a nursery story. Mercedes had memorized the story when she was young, but it amazed her to hear William tell it. He added excitement, made the characters come to life, entertaining his children—and her—beyond belief. Warmth spread through her heart toward the man who might be unlawful. His ability to love his children and servants unconditionally made her question those doubts about him. Could someone so caring really be mean, and dishonest?

Ainsley said softly, while Allonza just nodded, holding her doll tightly. I smiled at their enthusiasm and took out a storybook from the shelf beside the bed. The book I picked up was one of their favorites, “Adventures in the Fantasy World.” I started to open the first page while looking at the children. “So, tonight’s story is about a brave prince who went to a magical world to save a kidnapped princess,” I said, trying to get their attention. “Do you want to tell it now, Mom?” Adney asked, his voice full of enthusiasm.

So I carried both Davis and Davina on either side of my thighs. “Are you comfortable?” I asked calmly. They nodded happily. I opened the playbook and the first page was beautifully crafted with the picture of a little girl wearing a red dress and her hair packed in two ponytails. She looked so pretty just like Davina. “Once upon a time, a little girl named Little Red Riding Hood lived in a village. One day, her mother asked her to visit her sick grandmother who lived in a cottage in the woods. Little Red Riding Hood set off on her journey, wearing a red cape.” I read the first page while both listened with rapt attention.

It was a grown-up book, but Dad had been reading it to him. "Do you want me to read?" Ethan asked. River didn't say yes. But he didn't say no. Ethan opened the book to the bookmark. He turned on his small reading light. "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit," Ethan read. He wasn't very fast, but he knew the words. "Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

"Hungry Caterpillar. Wild Things. Good Night Moon. And... this one!" She held up the book James had given her—a first edition "Winnie the Pooh." "Good choices," I said. We read all four. Luna insisted on reading parts herself—which meant reciting from memory since she couldn't actually read yet. "The very hungry caterpillar ate one apple... but he still hungry!" "That's right, baby girl." After stories, tucking her in, kisses goodnight, we turned on her nightlight. "Mama stay?" she asked. "Mama is right next door. I'll check on you in a little bit."

She looked stunned when they brought her into the room, something we're all used to when someone outside the family sees Pop's largess for the first time up-close and personal. "Wow, what is this?" She gravitated to the books that lined one wall, all classics, most of which were collector's editions. "Is this an original Herodotus?" She pulled her hand back from the volume making the twins laugh, and me smile. She acts like Pop and Uncle Garrett with books. They swear the rest of us are heathens because we don't all genuflect before the greats like they do.

In a cozy room filled with colorful toys and books, Theo, a curious and energetic 3-year-old, sat on the floor surrounded by his favorite stuffed animals. His nanny, Hazel, a kind and patient young woman, sat beside him with a book in her hands, ready to embark on a magical storytelling journey. Hazel: "Are you ready for a story, Theo?" Theo: "Yes, Hazel! Story, story!" Hazel smiled warmly and began to read from the book, her voice gentle and soothing as she brought the words to life.

He purred and then curled up to her, closing his eyes happily as he smelled her. "Hey sweetie, I was just reading to your brothers and sister." I watched as she rubbed her tummy. I walked up and looked at the three year old looking boy and four year old looking girl. I sat down next to my mommy and looked towards the book she was reading to them, finding it to have a picture of a bear on the front with letters, but I couldn't read it. The boy started to gnaw on his hands and whimpered before he rolled over onto his tummy and started to crawl away towards a couch and slipped under it. The girl watched him then squealed before she started to play with her toes, falling over onto her side then