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-earth day
Wheeler, Lisa
Paper Book
The world needs help to keep it clean. / It's Dino-Earth Day . . . let's go green! Upbeat rhyming verse from Lisa Wheeler and playful illustrations from Barry Gott present many different ways to take care of the planet. The dinos ride bikes and scooters, clean up a park, plant an urban...
Dinosaur hunters /
McMullan, Kate
Paper Book
The hunt is on for new information about our favorite prehistoric reptiles!
Dinosaur lady : the daring discoveries of Mary Anning, the first paleontologist
Skeers, Linda
Paper Book
A beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Mary Anning that will enlighten children about the discovery of the dinosaurs and the importance of female scientists, perfect for fans of The Girl Who Thought in Pictures Mary Anning loved scouring the beach near her home in England for...
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...
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...
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...

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