I think 'The Kissing Hand' is very popular. It's a story that many first graders can connect with as they might be feeling a bit nervous about starting school, and it gives them comfort.
They often have simple storylines. For example, in 'Frog and Toad Are Friends', the stories are short and easy to follow, which is suitable for first graders' short attention spans.
There are many wonderful books in that list. 'A Bad Case of Stripes' is quite interesting. It teaches kids about being true to themselves in a fun and imaginative way. And 'Stellaluna' is a classic. It's about a bat who gets separated from her mother and has to adapt to a new life, which can be relatable for first graders.
'Out of My Mind' by Sharon M. Draper is also popular. It tells the story of a girl with cerebral palsy who has a brilliant mind but is unable to communicate easily. It shows her journey to find a way to express herself and be recognized for who she really is.
Some popular first grade realistic fiction books include 'Frog and Toad Are Friends' by Arnold Lobel. It tells simple yet heartwarming stories about the friendship between Frog and Toad.
I think 'Charlotte's Web' is quite popular. It's a classic that tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte. The way Charlotte tries to save Wilbur from being slaughtered is really moving and it's a story that has been loved by generations.
Another one is 'The Kissing Hand' by Audrey Penn. This book is very popular among first graders. It's about a little raccoon who is nervous about going to school and his mother gives him a special 'kissing hand' to comfort him. The story is both sweet and relatable for young children.
They usually have simple language that third - graders can easily understand. For example, the words are not overly complex and the sentence structures are straightforward.
A great 1st grade realistic fiction book is 'The Magic School Bus' series. It takes kids on exciting adventures while still being somewhat based in real - world concepts. Also, 'Mercy Watson' is a good one. It has a cute pig as the main character and tells stories that first graders can easily picture in their minds.