Unearth a Story: 2026 Summer Reading Early Literacy Book List

The 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 our youngest patrons. They include board books and fiction and nonfiction picture books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers 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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Adoptar un dinosaurio
Andre?s, Jose? Carlos
Paper Book
Let's just say no reader will be able to resist. ~Kirkus Star Review "I want a dog! I want a cat!" "No animals at home!" "I want a dinosaur!" "... If you find one you can have it." And find it she does. Ali wanted a pet, but her parents didn't...
Big words for little paleontologists : the dino dictionary every little explorer needs
Gerry, Lisa M.
Paper Book
This stunningly illustrated picture book will inspire every budding paleontologist with the impressive words that dino-crazy little kids love to learn--and show off! Featuring more than 50 wow-worthy words, with definitions and phonetic pronunciation, this info...
The fossil whisperer : how Wendy Sloboda discovered a dinosaur
Becker, Helaine
Paper Book
Wendy has an eye for the unusual and is skilled at finding things that others don't see. On a middle school field trip, she spots one of those unusual things - it's fossilized coral 100 million years old! Wendy's thrilled! And soon, she gets hooked on hunting fossils. She decides to turn her passion...
Here we go digging for dinosaur bones : sung to the tune of "here we go round the mulberry bush"
Lendroth, Susan
Paper Book
"This is a perfect book for a dinosaur storytime."-School Library Journal This STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behindpaleontology. Set to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush," Here We...
How to catch a Daddysaurus
Walstead, Alice
Paper Book
The newest addition in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series--do YOU have the rad skills needed to catch the mystical Daddysaurus? The How to Catch Kids are at it again! This time, they're out to trap the Daddysaurus--a mystical creature capable of such amazing...
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 dig fossils
Agostini, Alliah L.
Paper Book
Get out your shovels and fossil brushes for this delightful Step 2 reader following a family's search for fossils! A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Ava loves rocks! But what she really really loves are fossils! Ava and her family are on a mission...

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