Ages 3-5 – Read Create Grow

Choosing quality books that keep your kid interested in reading during the summer can be stressful. Some schools have summer reading requirements, which, let's face it, are not always "fun summer reads." Many library summer reading programs do not provide their own list anymore, leaving parents to help their kids choose what to read, which can be daunting. Whether you're looking to fill school summer reading requirements, meet the goal for a library summer reading program or just trying to keep your kids reading all summer long, this is list to keep your kids going. You will find a mix of picture books, nonfiction and graphic novels for kids about 5 - 8 years old, or kindergarten through about second grade. Most of the books have been recently published within the time this article was written though a few are favorites you may not know, and many of the authors or illustrators have won awards for their work. Happy reading! Knight Owl by Christopher Denise Owl has always wanted to be a knight. Even though there are challenges to becoming a knight, it his very owl nature that ultimately saves the day. The story teaches readers to look past obvious differences and see what you might have in common with someone else. Plus, the illustrations are also adorable. Buy on Amazon Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb Besides being fun to say, readers will love Buffalo Fluffalo, his artistic rendering as a very fluffy, slightly cross-eyed buffalo offsets his huffing and puffing. A series of animals try to befriend Buffalo, which he refuses, but after a rain storm he may not be as puffed up as he once was. Younger readers will enjoy the rhyming text and the silly words, older readers will enjoy the joke of a character acting “puffed up” when he really may not be that size at all. Buy on Amazon Mole is Not Alone by Maya Tatsukawa Mole is nervous about going to Rabbit’s party, it might be loud and there might be a lot of new people there. The whole time Mole travels he debates about it with the classic internal monologue many introverts have about going to large social gatherings. In the end, he meets someone else who is equally ambivalent and they decide it is ok to be who they are. Many books push kids to “get over” being an introvert, this is a fresh take respecting a person’s introvertedness without guilt or shame. Buy on Amazon Whose Footprint is that? by Darrin Lunde Can you guess what animal has each footprint? This beautifully illustrated nonfiction book shows the reader a detail of the animal (nose, tail, etc) and a footprint, the next page shows the full picture and some information about the animal. Some of the answers may surprise you! Check out the full review of the entire series here. Follow up this story with the other two in the series. Buy on Amazon The Truth About the Couch by Adam Rubin In a story that breaks the fourth wall, a fox tells the “true” story of the couch and all it’s secrets. You will learn the reason for the term ‘couch potato’ and that some couches are actually aliens in disguise! The more complex humor, storytelling style and linguistic acrobatics make this a funny story for your 5+ year old. Buy on Amazon Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover by Lucy Ruth Cummins Summer is the season of family, travel and sleep overs, and while it can be a lot of fun, it can also be new and scary. Sleepy Sheepy is having his first ‘sheepover’ at his grandparents’ house, he was so excited when he was getting ready but now that the reality set in, he’s pretty nervous. Read this with your younger kiddo to talk about sleeping over somewhere else, whether it’s because of summer travel or a first sleepover, to prepare them for what might be like and soothe some of those worries. Buy on Amazon The Wrong Book by Drew Daywalt This story of silliness is structured so the reader as the unseen narrator interacts with an increasingly exasperated bookmark as he tries to correct “your” mistakes. Animals are making the wrong noises, objects are mis-named and the distressed bookmark is trying to set it all to rights. The story is fast paced and funny, but the reader must be prepared for a chaotic reading that requires an enthusiastic delivery (think Mo Willems’ Pigeon books or The Book with No Pictures). Buy on Amazon Not a Box City by Antoinette Portis The “not a box” classic story of using your imagination comes to the city. Like it’s original story, this book has minimal text and simple illustrations to let the reader imagine what might be on the page. Read this story then build your own imaginary city blanket fort and those Amazon boxes you’ve been meaning to throw out. Buy on Amazon Boxitects by Kim Smith A STEAM-centered story about a talented youngster who builds remarkable things out of cardboard boxes finds Meg impressing her teacher and classmates with her constructions before clashing with a fellow innovator during a school competition. Buy on Amazon Noodlephant by Jacob Kramer Kangaroos have enacted many laws that discriminate against other animals but when they make it illegal for elephants to eat noodles, pasta-loving Noodlephant and her friends invent a machine to fight back. Buy on Amazon Escargot by Dashka Slater What is your favorite animal? It’s probably not a snail, something this French snail is determined to change. Escargot expounds on the virtues of the snail and why it should be your favorite animal while wearing an adorable beret. The story is sure to get giggle if you can muster up an accent while you read. Who knows, you may even change your mind about snails. Buy on Amazon Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman Featuring riotous artwork by the illustrator of The Bad Seed, a hilarious tale of medieval adventure and pint-sized heroism finds a new assistant to one of King Arthur's gallant knights learning skills that are complicated by his trainer's secret fear of a mysterious Underwear Dragon. Buy on Amazon The World in Our Backyard by Jami Gigot Summer is a time to explore the outdoor world. Jump into this story that encourages kids to explore their own spaces and see the wonder in what is around them. Using their imaginations, the characters travel to far away and amazing places, all in their own backyard. Buy on Amazon Beach Hair by Ashley Woodfolk This story celebrates diversity, family and community through a family's trip to the beach. At first the kids wear their hats to control their hair, but once at the beach discover everyone has let their hair down, and they can too. The story flows with rhyme and imagery that evokes the beach and celebrates everyone. Buy on Amazon Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can't help but root for. Buy on Amazon 100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle This comical counting adventure follows 100 mighty dragons all named Broccoli as they each embark on their own journey until there's one dragon left, who retreats to a cave for the winter and reemerges in the spring with a special surprise! Buy on Amazon The Ice Cream Vanishes by Julia Sarcone-Roach by Julia Sarcone-Roach Squirrel is a magician, if only he can find the magic words, and the magic snack. Then one day by accident Squirrel discovers how to make ice cream vanish! Older readers will enjoy the joke, younger readers will enjoy Squirrel’s antics. Follow it up with Sarcone-Roach's other two equally clever and beautiful stories, and of course, some ice cream. Buy on Amazon Hot Dog by Doug Salati For anyone who has ever felt “too much,” especially during the summer, Dog is a relatable character. The city on a hot day is too much for this long dog, so his owner takes him away for a day at the sea. The colors of the story imitate the rush and heat of the city, the cool breezes of the ocean, and then the city again when the temperature has cooled. If you can, take some time to play in water. Whether it’s a sprinkler, bathtub, city pool or the beach, water resets the nervous system when emotions run hot. Buy on Amazon Stranded!: A mostly true story from iceland by Ævar Þór Benediktsson Based on a true story, the author humorously recounts the time his grandfather got stranded with a friend on Surtsey, a brand new volcanic island in Iceland. Graphic novel-like layouts and spirited text invite readers to search for the one thing that's not actually true in this thrilling yet light-hearted tale of adventure. Buy on Amazon The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett The first in a groundbreaking new collection of fractured fairy tales, this brilliantly crafted, hilarious twist on the beloved classic finds three goats putting their horns together to cleverly outsmart a hungry troll. Read it aloud channeling Jim Carey's "Grinch" for a hilarious tone and cadence. Buy on Amazon Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song Belly and Norma are the best of squirrels or so they think! After discovering donuts for the first time, they are determined to get some for themselves, even if they have to outsmart the food truck driver to do it! Buy on Amazon My Stinky Summer by S. Bug by Paul Meisel by Paul Meisel Told in diary form, My Stinky Summer by S. Bug introduces readers to the stinkbug's life cycle and survival habits. The format makes this a quick read with good buy in for reluctant readers because it is less visually overwhelming than large blocks of text. Buy on Amazon Batcat by Meggie Ramm When Batcat suddenly finds themself haunted by an annoying, ice cream-stealing ghost, they visit the local Island Witch for a spell to remove their ghastly guest permanently! This is a sweet and fun story about accepting yourself when you're perfectly in-between here and there. Buy on Amazon Cat on the Run: Cat of Death by Aaron Blabey What happens when the world's biggest cat video star gets accused of a crime she didn't commit? She becomes a cat on the run, that's what. If your kids liked "The Bad Guys" then be sure to give this series a try. Buy on Amazon Search for a Giant Squid: Pick Your Path by Amy Seto Forrester “Choose Your Own Adventure” but make it science. This is a new STEM series that offers the creativity of a ‘choose your own adventure’ but covers nonfiction topics. This is great for reluctant readers because it can be varied and does not need to be read in a single direction from start to finish. Buy on Amazon Beaky Barnes: egg on the loose by Ezra Stein Beaky Barnes, a no-nonsense chicken who is determined to save her desirable egg, must outwit a hungry inspector, a desperate chef, and an entrepreneurial woman on her tail, to make her escape. Buy on Amazon Bigfoot and Nessie: the art of getting noticed by Chelsea M. Campbell When a self-conscious Bigfoot meets Nessie, a famous Loch Ness Monster who's equally desperate to get away from the cameras, they form an unlikely friendship that teaches them a lot about fame and themselves. 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