Unearth a Story: 2026 Summer Reading Children's Book List

he books are this list are to align with our 2026 summer reading slogan "unearth a Story". It was chosen to align with our high-interest theme of dinosaurs, paleontology, archaeology. This book list was created for kids ages 5 - 12. They include easy readers, fiction and nonfiction picture books as well as DVDs, and VOX audio books for school age children and are available at the Sussex County Library System.

Updated April 2, 2026
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Dino poet
Angleberger, Tom
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author Tom Angleberger, creator of the Origami Yoda series, comes a hilarious young graphic novel adventure through the land of the dinosaurs. A Junior Library Guild Selection ***STARRED REVIEW*** "A standout...
The dinosaurs book
Woodward, John
Paper Book
Find out everything you need to know about dinosaurs, pterosaurs, marine reptiles, and prehistoric mammals with this picture-packed encyclopedia of curiosities. Come face-to-face with some of the most incredible creatures ever to exist in this incredible book of dinosaurs and...
Dinosaur Day
Murray, Diana
Paper Book
Hooray! Hooray! It's Dino Day! From the best-selling creators of Unicorn Day comes a dino-mite celebration as all sorts of dinosaurs celebrate Dinosaur Day! On Dinosaur Day, dinosaurs love to stomp and chomp. But they like silly singing, rowdy swimming, and yummy desserts too. All this fun...
Dinosaurs before dark
Laird, Jenny
Paper Book
The #1 bestselling chapter book is now a graphic novel! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie! Where did the tree house come from?      Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious...
Here we go digging for dinosaur bones
Lendroth, Susan
Paper Book
How dinosaurs went extinct : a safety guide
Dyckman, Ame
Paper Book
From author Ame Dyckman and illustrator Jenn Harney comes a hilarious faux-cautionary tale featuring dad jokes and tantrum-throwing dinosaurs!   In this outrageous "safety guide," a child in a museum asks their parents how the dinosaurs all became extinct. Well,...
How do dinosaurs say good night?
Yolen, Jane.
Paper Book
Perfect for bedtime reading, children love the laugh-aloud antics of playful dinosaur children who stomp and fuss and jump on the bed in this award-winning New York Times bestseller! How do dinosaurs say good night? Brimming with humor and familiar good-night...
How do dinosaurs say good night?
Yolen, Jane.
Paper Book
Perfect for bedtime reading, children love the laugh-aloud antics of playful dinosaur children who stomp and fuss and jump on the bed in this award-winning New York Times bestseller! How do dinosaurs say good night? Brimming with humor and familiar good-night...
How do dinosaurs say good night?
Yolen, Jane.
Paper Book
Perfect for bedtime reading, children love the laugh-aloud antics of playful dinosaur children who stomp and fuss and jump on the bed in this award-winning New York Times bestseller! How do dinosaurs say good night? Brimming with humor and familiar good-night...
The magic school bus : in the time of the dinosaurs
Cole, Joanna
Paper Book
Sam & Dave dig a hole
Barnett, Mac
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book With perfect pacing, the multi-award-winning, New York Times best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dig down for a deadpan tale full of visual humor. Sam and Dave are...
We're all gonna die-nosaur! 1
Tan, Kon
Paper Book
A 2026 Kids Favorite Pterry the pterodactyl has lots of nightmares--and they always come true! Can Pterry face his fear of flying? If not . . . we're all gonna DIE-nosaur!!! With exciting black-and-white illustrations on every page, this subversively hilarious chapter...
We're all gonna die-nosaur! 1
Tan, Kon
Paper Book
A 2026 Kids Favorite Pterry the pterodactyl has lots of nightmares--and they always come true! Can Pterry face his fear of flying? If not . . . we're all gonna DIE-nosaur!!! With exciting black-and-white illustrations on every page, this subversively hilarious chapter...

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