2025 Summer Reading Program: Pre-Readers

Updated January 22, 2025
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My visit to the aquarium
Aliki.
Paper Book
'Children and adults of various ages, races, and physical abilities tour a public aquarium to look at many of the world's marine creatures. The language is almost lyrical...[and] the story is alive with color and action.'--SLJ. 'A versatile author at her best.... In the large, cheerful illustrations...
I'm going to build a snowman
Awan, Jashar
Paper Book
In this sparkling picture book celebration of winter and creativity, a boy's snow day efforts show that perfection is relative and what's important is taking pride in what you do! When a little boy wakes up to see a blanket of snow covering the world outside, there's only one...
My bus
Barton, Byron
Paper Book
The busy bus driver in Byron Barton's preschool tour-de-force has a job to do. He drives his bus along his route, picks up the passengers waiting at the bus stops, and delivers them to their destinations--which in this case include the airport, the harbor, and the train station....
The moon seems to change
Branley, Franklyn M.
Paper Book
Read and find out about the phases of the moon in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book. This clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, introduces basic information about the moon. Have you noticed...
Mr. Gumpy's outing
Burningham, John.
Paper Book
Mr. Gumpy's Outing is a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner and an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. In England, illustrator John Burningham, with Mr. Gumpy's Outing, became the first artist ever to win England's Kate Greenaway Medal twice. Mr...
Rafa counts on Papá
Cepeda, Joe
Paper Book
For fans of Guess How Much I Love You? and Just Me and My Dad comes a heartwarming story perfect for Father's Day about a son and his papá who love to measure everything, including their love for each other. Rafa and his papá love to count and...
Hen in the bed
Charman, Katrina
Paper Book
There were 10 in the bed and the speckled hen said, "Roll over! Roll over!" Count the funny animal friends as they noisily roll, flop, and tumble out of bed, one by one, in this clever split-page picture book. As the bed gets emptier, bedtime...
Guji Guji
Chen, Zhiyuan
Paper Book
An original in his own family - never mind the rest of the world - Guji Guji proves to himself and others that family, no matter where or what that family may be, is worth protecting and cherishing.This award-winning, modern-day classic combines a child-friendly, playful text, vivid characters and...
On Baba's back
Dubuc, Marianne
Paper Book
Baby koala Koko takes his first step toward independence in this endearing board book made for reading together. Koko and Baba are a very close koala family, so close that Koko does everything on Baba's back--eats, plays, you name it! Until one day, when Koko wants to do...
8 little planets
Ferrie, Chris
Paper Book
A delightfully fun, fact-filled planetary tale from the creator of the Baby University series! Travel around the solar system and celebrate what makes each planet unique! From Neptune to Mercury and all the planets in between, each one is different and each one is happy to...
Goodnight Lab : a scientific parody
Ferrie, Chris
Paper Book
In the vein of Goodnight Moon, say "goodnight" to your lab in this board book parody of a beloved classic. Perfect for scientists of all ages! It's been a long day at the lab for this scientist. Now it's time to say goodnight! Goodnight laser Goodnight notebook ...
Oh, no!
Fleming, Candace.
Paper Book
"This picture book reads like an instant classic.... Oh, yes!" raved Kirkus Reviews in a starred review. Young children will delight in repeating the refrain "OH, NO!" as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud. This simple and irresistible...
The perfect nest
Friend, Catherine.
Paper Book
It's the perfect read-aloud! A flustered cat is on the verge of crying fowl in a farmyard story that will crack kids up. Jack the cat is building the perfect nest. It's bound to attract the perfect chicken, who will lay the perfect egg, which will make the perfect omelet. And...
Honk honk woo woo
Garcia, Emma
Paper Book
Oh no! It's an emergency!! Call the emergency vehicles and see them speed along to help save the day. A fun look at police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and other rescue vehicles that fascinate preschoolers, with sounds they can join in with.
Tap tap bang bang
Garcia, Emma
Paper Book
Cree craw with the saw, bang bang with the hammer, and twizzle, twist, twirl, and spin with the screwdriver, bolts, and nuts. What fun! Its tool time for children as they delight in colorful chisels, clamps, drills, pliers, and mallets at work. What could they be making? Kids will love...
The reasons for seasons
Gibbons, Gail
Paper Book
Cold winters, hot summers--year after year the seasons repeat themselves. But what causes them? Why is there winter in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time there is summer in the Northern Hemisphere? In summertime, why is it still light out in the evening? With simple...
Kitten's first full moon
Henkes, Kevin.
Paper Book
This nationally bestselling picture book about a kitten, the moon, and a bowl of milk, written by the celebrated author and illustrator Kevin Henkes, was awarded a Caldecott Medal. From one of the most celebrated and beloved picture book creators working in the field today comes a...
Bread and jam for Frances
Hoban, Russell
Paper Book
The classic funny I Can Read story about a stubborn little badger with very particular tastes in food. Frances is a fussy eater. In fact, the only thing she likes is bread and jam. She won't touch her squishy soft-boiled egg. She trades away her chicken-salad sandwich at lunch. She turns...
Sumo colors
Ishida, Sanae
Paper Book
Perfect for early learning, this fun board book in the Little Sumo series, from the creator of the Little Kunoichi series, features adorable sumo wrestlers that introduce children to colors and shares elements of Japanese culture that will enrich readers of all ages. Take a peek...
Eidtale : an Eid al-Fitr adventure
Jaleel, Aaliya
Paper Book
The Abrams Trail Tale series takes readers on unforgettable holiday-themed adventures. This new tale, written and illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel, follows a brother and sister as they make their way through their neighborhood delivering gifts to uncles sipping cha'i, favorite neighbors, and friends...
My body and me : my first body positivity book
Kelley, Ceece
Paper Book
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best BooksI love my body. It's special to me. It's exactly the way it's meant to be.An empowering celebration of bodies, promoting body positivity such as gratitude for our puffy cheeks that help us eat; strength in our round bellies that help store our food; pride...
One leaf rides the wind : counting in a Japanese garden
Mannis, Celeste Davidson.
Paper Book
Filled with lush illustrations, this counting book reveals both the pleasure and the tranquility of the Japanese garden, while introducing haiku poetry, with eleven poems that are simple and easy to follow. Follow along as the young girl explores the beauty of the garden, and discover the fun of...
Eat together
Ordóñez, Miguel
Paper Book
The geometry of food is explored in New York Times bestselling illustrator Miguel Ord nez's newest board book on shapes! Various parts of a meal are formed one by one, piece by piece, in this visual play on the interaction between shapes. If just three simple shapes can...
Let's be brave
Osakwe, Leah
Paper Book
Explore different ways to be brave! From chasing your dreams to standing up for yourself, this inspiring book empowers children to look within to find courage and confidence. Each one of us has the power to be exactly who we want to be. This inspiring board book empowers children...
I'm still up!
Portis, Antoinette
Paper Book
"A masterclass on how to create the ideal board book. It really is." -Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ Blog) A soothing and humorous bedtime story with a baby who is still up! This is the ideal board book for baby to read before lying down to sleep.<...
What do wheels do all day?
Prince, April Jones.
Paper Book
Yeah, what do wheels do all day? Well . . . they push . . . race . . . stroll . . . fly . . . whiz . . . and spin . . . all day long! Simple, direct text, combined with brilliant cut-paper relief illustrations, captures kids' fascination with "things that go" and opens their...
The relatives came
Rylant, Cynthia.
Paper Book
In a rainbow-colored station wagon that smelled like a real car, the relatives came. When they arrived, they hugged and hugged from the kitchen to the front room. All summer they tended the garden and ate up all the strawberries and melons. They plucked banjos and strummed guitars. When they...
All the world
Scanlon, Elizabeth Garton.
Paper Book
This simple, profound, Caldecott Honor story is now available as a Classic Board Book. All the world is here. It is there. It is everywhere. All the world is right where you are. Now. Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from...
Cinnamon bun, I love you 1
Schwartz, Amy
Paper Book
From award-winning author-illustrator Amy Schwartz comes a counting book full of sweet treats, playful moments, and lots of toddler love. Cinnamon bun, I love you one. Peek-a-boo, I love you two... This charming, rhyming picture book counts out the love...
Green
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro.
Paper Book
Die cut pages bring surprise after surprise in this magical new book from the "Queen of the concept book"--an intricate and satisfying homage to green, the color of all creation. How many kinds of green are there? There's the lush green of a forest on a late spring day, the fresh,...
The wheels on the tuk tuk
Sehgal, Kabir
Paper Book
From the mother-son duo behind the New York Times bestselling A Bucket of Blessings comes a zany picture book about a wild ride on a tuk tuk taxi in India! This picture book brings an international twist to the beloved nursery rhyme, The Wheels on the Bus, by...
Clip-clop
Smee, Nicola.
Paper Book
Every child adores getting twirled and tossed by Mommy and Daddy. Again! Again, they squeal. That’s...
Counting to calm : my first self-regulation book
Sooful, Prasha
Paper Book
"One--Deep breath in, nice and slow. Two--Now breathe out . . . there you go."Introduce self-regulation to the youngest readers early on by allowing them to model breathing, stretching, and movement with a parent or educator in 10 action-packed steps.This board book allows children to refocus their...
Doctor De Soto
Steig, William
Paper Book
From the incomparable William Steig, creator of Shrek, comes a story that proves even a fox can be out-foxed by a clever mouse in Doctor De Soto, a Newbery Honor Book. "Doctor De Soto, the dentist, did very good work." With the aid of his able assistant, Mrs. De...
Interrupting chicken
Stein, David Ezra.
Paper Book
Awarded a 2011 Caldecott Honor! A favorite joke inspires this New York Times best-selling tale, in which a little chicken's habit of interrupting bedtime stories is gleefully turned on its head. It's time for the little red chicken's bedtime story--and a reminder from Papa...
When sunlight tiptoes
Sze, Gillian
Paper Book
Key Selling Points The story is a celebration of morning and follows a family along a city street as they run errands, enjoying the rich urban sounds and sights of a new day. The text is written in pantoum form (Malayan in origin). Similar to the villanelle, the pantoum is a...
Farmer duck
Waddell, Martin.
Paper Book
Martin Waddell's uplifting modern fable and Helen Oxenbury's humor and pathos make this a very special collaboration. Farmer Duck isn't your average duck. This duck cooks and cleans, tends the fields, and cares for the other animals on the farm--all because the owner of the farm...
That's not my cow-- : its nose is too rough
Watt, Fiona
Paper Book
Meet five friendly cows in this charming addition to the much-loved That's not my... series. Babies love the best-selling That's not my... books with their bold illustrations, patches to stroke, and a mouse to spot on every page, all designed to develop sensory and language awareness.
Hello hello
Wenzel, Brendan
Paper Book
Named a Best Children's Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, Working Mother and more: A new picture book from Brendan Wenzel, the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor-winning author of They All Saw a Cat! Hello, Hello!<...
Cat nap
Yuly, Toni
Paper Book
It's naptime, and Cat is ready for Kitten to settle down. But Kitten has other ideas! In this book filled with opposites (big and little, black and white, sleepy and awake) Toni Yuly proves once again--as she did with Early Bird and Night Owl--that simple...

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