Books for Emerging Readers

When choosing books for emerging readers who are just starting to more confidently read on their own, select books with simple, straightforward language, large fonts, and lots of illustrations, but begin choosing books with longer sentences. The best way to select a book that your child will read is to let them select a book that interests them! Don't worry about reading levels on books because they are not always consistent, and not all levelled readers are good for emerging readers. Visit the library and let your child look at books in person, and have them try to read a page, if they struggle with more than 3-5 words, try that book again later. There is nothing wrong with children reading something that is easier! It build their confidence. Mix books that are more challenging in with books they are confident reading for a good balance.

Updated June 11, 2026
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Trains, boats and planes
Robinson, Michelle
Paper Book
All aboard! Anchors up! The passengers are waiting, and there's a busy day ahead. Trains and boats and planes, which one would you ride?
Blink and Block bug each other
Fang, Vicky
Paper Book
Let's read comics! I Can Read Comics is an early reader line that familiarizes children with the world of graphic novel storytelling and encourages visual literacy in emerging readers. Blink and Block are back in another STEM-inspired I Can Read Comic by author-illustrator Vicky Fang! ...
Ada Twist, scientist
Beaty, Andrea
Paper Book
Inspired by mathematician Ada Lovelace and physicist Marie Curie, this #1 bestseller from author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts champions STEM, girl power, and women scientists in a rollicking celebration of curiosity, the power of perseverance, and the importance of asking "Why?"<...
Vivi loves science. Sink or float
Derting, Kimberly
Paper Book
Vivi loves science! In this STEM-themed Level 3 I Can Read! title, Vivi and her friends visit the aquarium and are introduced to the concepts of density and buoyancy. A great choice for aspiring scientists, emerging readers, and fans of Andrea Beaty's Ada Twist, Scientist. Includes...
The Berenstain Bears catch the bus
Berenstain, Stan
Paper Book
It's 7:45 a.m. and Gus the bus driver is on his way. But the Cubs aren's even up yet! Will they miss the bus? Told in humorous easy-to-read text, this simple story offers up a blow-by-blow description of just another morning in the Bear household--which readers will find not all that different from...
City Train in trouble
Klein, Adria F.
Paper Book
City Train gets stuck on the tracks. Thankfully there are lots of people around to help her.
Libby loves science : states of matter
Derting, Kimberly
Paper Book
Libby loves science! In this STEM-themed Level 3 I Can Read! title, Libby and her friends learn about solids, liquids, and gases. A great choice for aspiring scientists, new readers, and fans of Andrea Beaty's Ada Twist, Scientist. Includes activities, a glossary, and a fun science...
I want to be an artist
Driscoll, Laura
Paper Book
For any child who loves making art! This Level One I Can Read story by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, blends narrative with nonfiction, introducing many different kinds of working artists to the young reader. Papa takes me to an art show and I get to meet...
The Pizza Problem!
Michaels, Patty.
Paper Book
Introducing...Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt, the preschool show now streaming on Netflix! Chico Bon Bon and the Fix-it Force engineer a fix for a pizza delivery problem in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read! Uh-oh! There's a pizza problem! Chico Bon Bon and the Fix-it...
Amelia Bedelia, rocket scientist?
Parish, Herman.
Paper Book
When Amelia Bedelia helps out at the school science fair, she finds an exploding volcano, some UFOs, and a mad scientist!
Max & Mo's science fair surprise
Lakin, Patricia
Paper Book
Award-winning author Patricia Lakin is back with a Level 1 Ready-to-Read about the adorable hamsters, Max and Mo. Join Max and Mo as they participate in an exciting science fair! It's school science fair time, and Max and Mo love seeing what the big ones--the kids in the class-...
5 wild creature adventures! : a collection of five early readers
Kratt, Martin
Paper Book
Five Wild Kratts Step into Reading leveled readers in one book! PBS's hit animated show Wild Kratts follows the adventures of zoologists Chris and Martin Kratt as the duo travels to animal habitats around the globe. Along the way, they encounter incredible creatures...
The amazing planet Earth
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 our little corner of the solar system! Fans of the StoryBots will recognize the colorful art from their popular outer-space...
Mars
Carney, Elizabeth
Paper Book
Discover the fascinating world of Mars in this colorful book packed with amazing imagery. In this inviting and entertaining format, kids will learn about the newest information on Mars, the Mars Rover, and our ongoing exploration of the Red Planet. This level 3 reader is written in an easy-to-grasp...
Gumballs : a Mr. and Mrs. Green adventure
Baker, Keith
Paper Book
"Baker's cartoon-like paintings bubble over with humor."--Publishers Weekly Mr. Green loves guessing games. And he has a plan to guess the number of gumballs in a GIANT gumball machine! So does Mrs. Green. Her plan involves luck, but Mr. Green's plan involves ...
Follow that dog!
Nakamura, May
Paper Book
Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt is a preschool show now streaming on Netflix! In this Level 1 Ready-to-Read, Chico Bon Bon dog-sits a mischievous, runaway pup! When Elkin John asks Chico to watch his dog, Bernie, for the day, Chico thinks he's in for an easy...
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...
Bears on wheels
Berenstain, Stan
Paper Book
A Step 1 Step into Reading Math Reader offers a hilarious and unique approach to addition and subtraction, courtesy of the Berenstains. The gradually increasing number of bears on wheels--unicycles, bikes, and trikes--engage in silly antics that will make beginning readers giggle as they learn...
I'm fast!
McMullan, Kate.
Paper Book
Now in paperback! From the popular creators of I Stink! and I'm Dirty!--now a streaming animated series!--comes an irresistible readaloud about trains, a perennial kid favorite. WHEELS on the RAILS, ALL night long, Racin' and a-rumblin' the FREIGHT TRAIN song-...
I did it!
Emberley, Michael.
Paper Book
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner! Learning to ride a bike is hard. Can I do it? Yes, I can! A fun comic that kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own. Can I do it? I can't do it. I want to do it. I did it!...
Yuk or yum?
Thompson, Kim
Paper Book
During a busy restaurant rush, the orders get all mixed up. Can the food get sorted out so that "Yuks" change to "Yums"? Fully decodable text features high-frequency words, and words with the short u sound combined with selected consonant letters. Downloadable Teacher Notes available.
Worm and Caterpillar are friends
Windness, Kaz
Paper Book
A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book A Kirkus Reviews Best Graphic Novel & Comic A New York Public Library Best Book A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book This heartwarming and affirming Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book...
A walk in the dark and other scary stories
Brallier, Max.
Paper Book
Jump into these spine-chilling stories from New York Times bestselling author Max Brallier, perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.