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 26, 2025
L
Lambton County Library
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Dump trucks
Paper Book
Beep! Beep! Here comes a dump truck! Young students can learn basic facts about these load-bearing machines through simple text and colorful photos in this beginning title. Photo labels, diagrams, and picture glossaries clarify and reinforce the text to support readers who are just starting out.
Words are magic!
Avant-garde, Zaila.
Paper Book
Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde shares her love of words with new readers in this level 1 Step Into Reading book. A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Words are magic! Have you heard? Pick a letter. Make a word!
Mars
Bauer, Marion Dane
Paper Book
Explore the planet Mars in the second book in this new, nonfiction Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about the universe that's perfect for kids who love science and space! Do you see that red dot in the night sky? It's Mars! Discover the exciting surprises about the Red Planet in this...
Buster the very shy dog finds a kitten
Bechtold, Lisze
Paper Book
Praise for Buster series: "A good choice for kids just past the easiest reader stage." --Booklist The adventures of  Buster continue in two new easy-to-read stories. In the first, Buster is startled by noises and rustling in the dark space under...
Paddington plays on
Bond, Michael
Paper Book
Paddington Bear has delighted readers of all ages for almost 60 years! Now part of the I Can Read line, Michael Bond's classic character will drum up the interest of beginning readers with his charming antics. Paddington is having a wonderful time while on vacation with the Browns in a...
Paddington's day off
Bond, Michael
Paper Book
Paddington Bear has charmed readers of all ages for almost 60 years! Now part of the I Can Read line, Michael Bond's classic character will delight beginning readers with his curious nature and nose for adventure. Paddington and Mr. Gruber enjoy a day off from their duties as they set out...
Clifford the small red puppy
Bridwell, Norman.
Paper Book
Meet Clifford before he was the big red dog in this board book edition of a storybook classic! This sturdy board book edition of Clifford the Small Red Puppy brings readers along as Clifford grows into the big red dog we all know and love! When Emily Elizabeth first meets Clifford,...
Clifford, the big red dog
Bridwell, Norman.
Paper Book
It only takes a little to be BIG! Meet Clifford and Emily Elizabeth in the original Clifford book! Clifford is big. Clifford is red. But most of all, Clifford knows how to BE A GOOD FRIEND.
Forest babies
Carney Elizabeth
Paper Book
What cute baby animals will you find in the forest? Come meet a baby turtle, mountain lion cub, grizzly bear cub, and even a baby owl in this sweet pre-reader! Young readers will learn all about North American forests and the super cute baby animals that live there. Find out what...
LEGO City awesome tales! : a collection of five early readers
Deutsch, Stacia.
Paper Book
Five LEGO City® Step into Reading leveled readers in one action-packed collection! This Step into Reading collection features five LEGO City® leveled readers, featuring careers including firefighters, handy persons, police, and veternarians! This book contains the...
Bink & Gollie
DiCamillo, Kate.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Winner of the 2011 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award! In a brilliant collaboration, best-selling authors Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, along with acclaimed illustrator Tony Fucile, introduce an outrageously funny pair of friends. Meet...
I want to be a doctor
Driscoll, Laura
Paper Book
For the child who says, "I want to be a doctor when I grow up!" And for any child who wants a gentle behind-the-scenes look at being a doctor.  Doctors help sick and hurt people feel better. When little brother Jack hurts his foot, the family gets to meet all kinds of doctors. ...
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-emotional...
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Emmons Scott.
Paper Book
The wacky robots from the award-winning apps, videos, and Netflix show, Ask the Storybots, now star in their own early readers. This one is about everyone's favorite dinosaur! Fans of the StoryBots will recognize the colorful art from the hugely popular dinosaur video...
Sharks
Ripley's Entertainment Inc. (COR)
Paper Book
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...
Duck, duck, dinosaur : spring smiles
George, K. (Kallie) 1983-
Paper Book
Little ones will enjoy this sweet and funny story featuring a sneezing dinosaur! It's wonderful springtime, and there are so many flowers, leaves, and seeds outside. Siblings Feather, Flap, and Spike want to explore on a sunny day. But will Spike's sneezes make him the odd dino out? ACHOO!...
Duck, duck, dinosaur. Bubble blast
George, K.
Paper Book
It's bath time for two little ducklings and one big dinosaur! Spike loves soap, but Feather and Flap don't want to scrub. What will Spike do to make getting clean fun for everyone? This short, sweet, and very bubbly story will help show kids how much fun bath time can be. Duck, Duck,...
Iris and Walter and the birthday party
Guest, Elissa Haden.
Paper Book
It's Walter's birthday and he has big plans for his party. There will be cake and ice cream and horseback riding, and all of his friends will be there--including, of course, his best friend, Iris. But when the big day finally arrives, something unexpected happens. Will the change of plans ruin...
Clark the shark and the big book report
Hale, Bruce
Paper Book
Be bold, be smart, and speak from the heart! Clark the Shark is ready to present his book report to the class. But at the last minute, Clark gets stage fright and clams up in front of everybody. With a little help from his teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, will Clark be able to overcome his fears?<...
Syd Hoff's Danny and the dinosaur : too tall
Hale, Bruce
Paper Book
The dinosaur thinks he's much too tall. It's not easy being different! Danny decides to cheer his friend up, and together they discover that being too tall might not be so bad after all. Readers first fell in love with Danny and his prehistoric pal in the I Can Read classic Danny and the...
Bruce's big fun day
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
An original World of Reading story starring Bruce, the curmudgeonly bear of the New York Times best-selling Mother Bruce series by Ryan T. Higgins. Nibbs the mouse wants to give Bruce a BIG FUN DAY! But Bruce does not like BIG FUN DAYS. Not one bit. Ryan...
Houndsley and Catina at the library
Howe, James
Paper Book
The charming duo returns with a love letter to the library, good friends, the joy of learning, and self-reinvention. It's Saturday, and Houndsley, Catina, and their friend Bert are looking forward to their weekly visit to the library. But when the trio arrives, they find that...
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...
The good egg and the talent show
John, Jory.
Paper Book
The Good Egg discovers his true talent in this Level One I Can Read by the #1 New York Times bestselling duo Jory John and Pete Oswald! The talent show is today and the Good Egg is so excited. There's just one problem. He doesn't have an act! When the talent show starts, he accepts...
5 wilder creature adventures! : a collection of five early readers
Kratt, Martin.
Paper Book
Five Wild Kratts Step into Reading leveled readers in one book for even wilder adventures with the Kratt Brothers and animals from all around the world! PBS's hit animated show Wild Kratts follows the adventures of zoologists Chris and Martin Kratt as the duo travels to...
Frog and Toad are friends
Lobel, Arnold.
Paper Book
Celebrate the power of friendship in these five adventurous stories starring Frog and Toad--a Caldecott Honor Book!  From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other--just as best friends should be. ...
Going to the Sea Park
Mayer, Mercer
Paper Book
Join Mercer Mayer's classic and beloved character, Little Critter®, and his classmates for some underwater fun as they set out on a delightful trip to the sea park! With Little Critter and a charming world of sea creatures big and small, there's a boatload of fun for everyone! ...
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...
The word collector
Reynolds, Peter H.
Paper Book
From the creator of The Dot, I Am Human, and Happy Dreamer comes a celebration of finding your own words -- and the impact you can have when you share them with the world. Some people collect stamps. Some people collect coins. Some people collect art. And...
Henry and Mudge : the first book of their adventures
Rylant, Cynthia.
Paper Book
Henry, feeling lonely on a street without any other children, finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge.
Henry and Mudge in puddle trouble : the second book of their adventures
Rylant, Cynthia.
Paper Book
Henry and his 180-pound dog Mudge are best friends forever. And when spring arrives, they're ready for some puddle trouble!
Slap shot
Sabino, David
Paper Book
Learn all about ice hockey in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 2 Ready-to-Read, part of the new Game Day series that gives fans an insider look at their favorite sports! This book is perfect for young, sports-obsessed fans who, in addition to watching and playing sports, crave...
Fox is late
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
Fun-loving, mischievous Fox is late for lunch, so he hops on his skateboard. Go, Fox, go! What is this winning trickster character doing, zooming over and under and around on his skateboard? His animal friends follow him home to find out--and get a big surprise! Fox Is...
Fox the tiger
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
Winner of the 2019 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Fun-loving, mischievous Fox wishes he were a tiger. Tigers are big and fast and sneaky. So he decides to become one! Soon Turtle and Rabbit are joining in the fun. But will Fox want to be a tiger forever? In Fox the Tiger, this...
We are in a book!
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
Mo Willems, award-winning, New York Times best-selling creator of The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Unlimited Squirrels, presents best friends Elephant Gerald and Piggie.   Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald...
Harry and the lady next door
Zion, Gene.
Paper Book
A funny I Can Read story featuring the beloved Harry the Dirty Dog! Harry, the mischievous little white dog with black spots, tries everything he can think of to get the lady next door to stop singing. Every time Harry tries to stop her, he gets in trouble! Can Harry solve the neighborhood...

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