Owl Diaries Read Alikes
I truly believe that finding the “right” reading material for newly independent readers is one of the most difficult tasks. Here’s why. Let’s start with discussing independently reading. To me, this means that a child is reading a full story fluently (with maybe some minor stumbles) and also comprehends what they’re read. This isn’t the preschool kid who’s memorized their favorite story (although also an exciting step toward reading) and it’s not the child who is still sounding out most of the words on the page which typically affects their comprehension level. Kids begin independently reading at a very wide-variety of ages. I mean we’re talking, typically, between 4 – 7 years old. So once a kid has kind of graduated from the easy readers or beginner readers, where do they go next?
This is where I suggest chapter books. Now, you might be thinking, well obviously, what else is there? But for those not in the “book” world, chapter books are geared toward 7 – 9 year olds as a bridge between easy readers and middle grade novels. They typically hover around the 100 page mark, have a little larger text with a lot of space between lines or wide margins, and they are often heavily illustrated to assist young readers with comprehension. They are often. also written as series because kids love the comfort level of knowing what to expect from book to book – they often have a similar level of vocabulary, and with characters, settings, or plots that kids feel comfortable with. Think about Rainbow Magic Fairies with literally 100+ titles or Magic Tree House with dozens of titles as well.
So, with all that said, I think it can be difficult to find engaging books that help readers feel confidence in their new skills. The Owl Diaries are sweet chapter books with bright illustrations – my niece loves them. But, once you get through the series, you may be looking for additional suggestions. And that’s where this list comes in. Here are a wide-variety of read alikes, typically in that chapter book age group, all of which are the first in the series. My suggestion is to take advantage of your local library and bring home a lot of options. The goal is to keep kids excited and interested in reading for as long as possible and having options is a great way to do that!
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Owl Diaries Read Alikes
The Adventures of Sophie Mouse: A New Friend by Poppy Green
In the first book of The Adventures of Sophie Mouse, springtime has arrived at Silverlake Forest! The animals are coming out of their homes, buds are blooming on the trees, and the air smells of honeysuckles and tree bark. Sophie Mouse can’t wait to go back to school after the long winter break.
Even better, there’s a new student in class—Sophie loves meeting new animals! But the class gasps when Owen enters: he’s a snake! No one is brave enough to sit near him, or play with Owen at recess, or even talk to him. Can Sophie help her friends understand that Owen’s not scary after all?
Diary of a Pug: Pug Blasts Off by Kyla May
Baron von Bubbles, a.k.a “Bub,” is the self-proclaimed cutest pug on the planet! Things he loves: fashion, peanut butter, and his human, Bella. Things he does NOT love: Nutz the squirrel, baths, and the rain. When Bella enters the Inventor Challenge, Bub helps her craft the best project ever. But what happens when Nutz gets on Bub’s nerves and makes him ruin Bella’s project? If Bub wants to make it up to Bella, he’ll have to stand up to Nutz — and the rain — once and for all.
Isadora Moon Goes to School by Harriet Muncaster
Isadora Moon loves sunshine—and nighttime. She loves her magic wand—and her black tutu. She loves spooky bats—and Pink Rabbit. Isadora is half-fairy, half-vampire, and she’s special because she is different!
Now Isadora’s parents want her to start school, but she’s not sure where she belongs—fairy school or vampire school?
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she’s a porcine wonder. And to the portly and good-natured Mercy, the Watsons are an excellent source of buttered toast, not to mention that buttery-toasty feeling she gets when she snuggles into bed with them. This is not, however, so good for the Watsons’ bed. BOOM! CRACK! As the bed and its occupants slowly sink through the floor, Mercy escapes in a flash – “to alert the fire department,” her owners assure themselves. But could Mercy possibly have another emergency in mind — like a sudden craving for their neighbors’ sugar cookies?
The Party Diaries: Awesome Orange Birthday by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Priya is excited to plan her aunty’s birthday party. She will donate the money she makes to help the cutest endangered animal on the planet, the quokka! But the party is this Saturday! With so many items on her to-do list, can she get it all done in time? Priya sends out handmade invitations, makes DIY decorations, and sets an orange-only snacks menu — including pumpkin samosas! Will Priya’s very first party be a success?
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?
Sparkleton: The Magic Day by Calliope Glass, illustrated by Hollie Mengert
Sparkleton begs his big sister to give him wish-granting magic for one whole day so he can prove what a glitteriffic wish-granting unicorn he can be. But all the wishes he grants come out opposite!
Can Sparkleton’s friends Willow and Gabe help him undo the magic before sunset? Or will every day be opposite day?
Unicorn and Yeti: Sparkly New Friends by Heather Ayris Burnell, illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla
Unicorn has a horn and can do magic.Yeti is big and furry and cannot do magic.Yeti likes snowball fights.Unicorn does not like snowball fights.But Unicorn and Yeti both love sparkly things, magic rainbows, and — most of all — being best friends!
Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro, illustrated by Marion Lindsay
In the first book of this series, Zoey discovers a glowing photo and learns an amazing secret. Injured magical animals come to their backyard barn for help! When a sick baby dragon appears, it’s up to Zoey and Sassafras to figure out what’s wrong. Will they be able to help little Marshmallow before it’s too late?
