Books for Emerging Readers (K to Grade 2)

Kids that are starting to read short books on their own need books that are shorter with illustrations to keep them from being overwhelmed. Early Readers are great options for books that feel manageable. They can be fiction or non-fiction as long as the topic interests the child. Not all Early Readers use the same rating system, so have your child read the first page or two, and if there are more than three or four words per page that they struggle to read, find a book that is a little less of a challenge.

Updated May 29, 2025
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Lambton County Library Summer Reading Challenge 2025
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Paddington plays on
Bond, Michael
Paper Book
Paddington's vacation starts with a bang! When he is enlisted into a marching band, Paddington saves the day--and the parade--with his charming sense of adventure. ...
Bink & Gollie
DiCamillo, Kate.
Ebook
"If James Marshall's George and Martha were not hippos and were both girls, they would be much like best friends Bink and Gollie. . . . More, please!" - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Meet Bink and Gollie, two precocious little girls - one tiny, one tall, and both...
Ollie
Dunrea, Olivier
Paper Book
Friends Gossie and Gertie are waiting and waiting for Ollie to hatch. They try poking, listening, even sitting on top of his egg--but Ollie just won't come out. Ollie is Ollie and he will decide when it's time to hatch. Fans of Gossie and Gossie and Gertie will find Ollie just as charming and...
Gossie
Dunrea, Olivier.
Paper Book
Meet Gossie in this My First I Can Read book about friendship and sharing, from the world of Olivier Dunrea's Gossie & Friends. Gossie is a small yellow gosling who loves to wear bright red boots--every day. But one morning she can't find them! This sweet story models social...
Otter : let's go swimming!
Garton, Sam
Paper Book
Otter--the irrepressible picture book character sure to be adored by fans of Llama Llama--learns how to swim. Otter: Let's Go Swimming! is a My First I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for shared reading with a child. Read about more of Otter's adventures in I Am Otter, Otter...
Frog can hop
Gehl, Laura.
Paper Book
From Laura Gehl, author of Dog Can Hide and Cat Sees Snow, comes another side-splitting Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read about an energetic frog and unhurried pig. Frog can hop. Pig likes to flop. When Frog makes a big drop, will Pig help? Perfect for kids at...
If I drove an ice cream truck
Heim, Alastair.
Paper Book
The Cat in the Hat imagines driving an ice cream truck with Thing One and Thing Two as his helpers in this hilarious new Beginner Book--and follow-up to If I Were Saint Nick by the Cat in the Hat--that's perfect for summer reading! No one's immune to the jingle of an ice...
Houndsley and Catina at the library
Howe, James
Paper Book
The bad seed
John, Jory.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know? He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He's been bad since he can remember! This seed cuts in line every time, stares at everybody and never listens...
Frog and Toad are friends
Lobel, Arnold.
Ebook
Going to the Sea Park
Mayer, Mercer
Paper Book
Little Critter is going on a class trip There isn't a dull moment when Little Critter(R) and his classmates go on a trip to the Sea Park They see and learn about exciting and strange sea creatures--from crabs and octopuses to whales and sharks. A day at the Sea Park proves to be full of fun...
Time for puppy school
O'Connor, Jane.
Paper Book
Ooh la la--school starts soon! Fancy Nancy can't wait to go back, but she'll miss Frenchy very much. Nancy's loved playing with her favorite puppy all summer, but sometimes Frenchy can be a bit naughty. When she gets into trouble one too many times, the Clancys decide that it's time for Frenchy...
Monkey-cam
Palatini, Margie.
Paper Book
Experience the world from a monkey's perspective via the video camera on its head in this fun and exciting Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read book in the Critter-Cam series! Through a video camera positioned on the monkey's head, readers can follow along from the monkey's point of view as...
Amelia Bedelia
Parish, Peggy.
Paper Book
Learn to read with the classic Amelia Bedelia! Ever since Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers have been laughing out loud at the antics of this literal-minded but charming housekeeper.   From dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes, Amelia...
Uni's first sleepover
Ransom, Candice F.
Paper Book
Uni the Unicorn is breaking out of picture book land...and entering Step into Reading! This Step 2 reader features Uni and friends on a magical fun-filled sleepover. Join Uni the Unicorn on this all-new Step into Reading adventure in the Land of Unicorns! In this Step 2 book, it...
The dot
Reynolds, Peter
Paper Book
With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark -- and follow where it takes us. Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you." Art class is over, but...
Henry and Mudge : the first book of their adventures
Rylant, Cynthia.
Paper Book
For use in schools and libraries only. A series about an only child and his huge best friend, a mastiff named Mudge.
We are in a book!
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
Geraldo es cuidadoso. Cerdita no lo es. Cerdita no puede evitar sonreír. Geraldo sí puede. Geraldo se preocupa para que Cerdita no tenga que hacerlo. Geraldo y Cerdita son mejores amigos. En ¡Estamos en un libro! Geraldo y Cerdita descubren el placer de...

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