2025 Color Our World Early Literacy Recommended Book List

The 2025 Summer Reading Lists are full of book titles to keep children engaged in reading and exploring throughout the summer. Follow the five early literacy practices- talk, sing, read, write, and play while reading these books to your children.

TALK: Children learn language by listening to conversational speech.

SING: Singing helps children learn new words and concepts, and reinforces memory and phonological awareness.

READ: Reading together develops vocabulary and comprehension.

WRITE: In early literacy, writing skills include becoming aware that printed letters correspond with spoken sounds and words.

PLAY: Play develops language and literacy skills by allowing children to put thoughts into words and talk about what they are doing.

This list is recommended and available through the Sussex County Library System for birth-preschool. These books will pair nicely with our 2025 summer reading theme.

Updated December 14, 2024
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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10 cats
Gravett, Emily
Paper Book
Ten cats discover three cans of paint and blotches, splotches and splats go everywhere! A funny exploration of colour from award-winning author/illustrator Emily Gravett, 10 Cats is a wonderfully simple and engaging picture book. While learning about...
The Crayons Love our Planet
Daywalt, Drew.
Paper Book
The crayons from the #1 New York Times bestselling The Day the Crayons Quit are ready to celebrate our planet! The Crayons love our planet and are proud of their contributions. White ice caps, Green trees, Blue oceans and skies, Brown soil . . . and more! Even Beige is proud of his...
Izzy paints /
Miller, Tim,
Paper Book
"Izzy's happiness at creating something of their own and the simple but lively text make for a delightful and engaging read-aloud. A charming stroll through the imagination and a testament to the joys of creativity." --Kirkus Inspired by a museum visit, a young koala...
Mouse paint
Walsh, Ellen Stoll
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Lois Ehlert and Press Here, this charming board book gently explores the world of color and celebrates the joy of creativity. One day three white mice discover three jars of paint--red, blue, and yellow. But what happens when they splash in the colors,...
A rainbow in brown /
Giron, Pavonis
Paper Book
Jo wants to paint all the wonderful things she loves. With a palette of red, yellow, and blue, Jo knows she can mix any colors together to create new ones. Her imagination takes flight as she explores painting with primary and by mixing her own secondary colors, each picture as beautiful as the...
Scroll /
Li, Hui,
Paper Book
An ALA Notable Book * A Bookpage Best Picture Book of the Year ★ "A beautifully drawn, cleverly told tale of bravery and wit.... As Lulu discovers, wonders await those who take a chance and dive in." --Bookpage, starred...
Farm babies
Paper Book
Young children will love exploring the innovative noisy novelty elements as they discover adorable baby animals with See, Touch, Feel Farm Babies from Priddy Books. Filled with classic See, Touch, Feel style artwork, this chunky board book is packed full of...

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