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
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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...
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. ...
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.
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 experiment to...
Amelia Bedelia, rocket scientist?
Parish, Herman.
Paper Book
Mad Scientists Mad Scientists Unidentified Flying Bonnets Take cover! Amelia Bedelia is at the school science fair!
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...
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 ...
Bears on wheels
Berenstain, Stan
Paper Book
As the gradually increasing number of bears on wheels adds up through all kinds of combinations and permutations, beginning readers are offered a unique counting book, courtesy of the Berenstains.
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!...

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