Summer Reading Recommendations

Early Literacy Picture Books

Updated April 24, 2025
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Wonder walkers
Archer, Micha
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor winner! Micha Archer's gorgeous, detailed collages give readers a fresh outlook on the splendors of nature. When two curious kids embark on a "wonder walk," they let their imaginations soar as they look at the world in a whole new light. They have...
Acorn was a little wild
Arena, Jen
Paper Book
Jory John's Bad Seed series meets After the Fall by Dan Santat in this charming picture book about a young acorn's grand adventure and the incredible transformation that follows. Acorn is a little wild, and from his oak tree perch, he longs for adventure. When he's the...
Whose knees are these?
Asim, Jabari
Paper Book
A vibrant, playful verse that celebrates a beautiful brown baby's sweet little knees, for fans of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. I've searched the world and seven seas. Never have I seen such charming knees.
Whose toes are those?
Asim, Jabari
Paper Book
A vibrant, playful verse that celebrates a beautiful brown baby's adorable little toes, for fans of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Who do you suppose has such fine toes? So brown and sweet. Who could have such...
Secret, secret agent guy
Bigwood, Kira
Paper Book
Send little spies to sleep with this hilarious, tongue-in-cheek lullaby set to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Dear Fellow Agents: Your mission--should you choose to accept it--is to join Secret, Secret Agent Guy on his bedtime assignment, code name:...
Shhh! The baby's asleep
Brown-Wood, JaNay
Paper Book
Celebrate the silliness that comes with a big family in this playful read aloud about a big brother, a sleeping baby, and a very noisy family. Baby is finally asleep. But everyone is much too loud! Can Mom, Daddy, Grammy, Pop Pop, Shae, Dante, Rover the dog, and even the...
Bowwow powwow = bagosenjige-niimi'idim
Child, Brenda J.
Paper Book
Windy Girl is blessed with a vivid imagination. From Uncle she gathers stories of long-ago traditions, about dances and sharing and gratitude. Windy can tell such stories herself-about her dog, Itchy Boy, and the way he dances to request a treat and how he wriggles with joy in response to, well,...
Hornswoggled! : a wacky words whodunit
Crute, Josh
Paper Book
Deer wakes up to find one of his antlers is missing...and there's a tennis racket in its place? One by one his friends also uncover that their important items from glasses to lucky boots have been swapped with silly, useless replacements like donuts and swim flippers. They've been hornswoggled!...
Knight Owl
Denise, Christopher
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * CALDECOTT HONOR AWARD WINNER * USA TODAY BESTSELLER A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. ...
We're going on a treasure hunt
DiPucchio, Kelly
Paper Book
Ahoy there! Join this crew of pirates on a high-seas quest for treasure. These salty dogs are off to fetch some gold, and no whale, skeleton, or thunderstorm can stand in their way. But our brave buccaneers best beware--there may be even more trouble ahead! With Kelly DiPucchio's fun, rhyming text...
Nigel and the Moon
Eady, Antwan.
Paper Book
From debut author Antwan Eady and artist Gracey Zhang comes a glowing tale about the young dreaming big. A perfect story to demonstrate how pride in where we come from can bring a shining confidence. When Nigel looks up at the moon, his future is bright. He imagines himself...
Boogie boogie, y'all
Esperanza, C. G.
Paper Book
Author-illustrator C. G. Esperanza delivers a celebratory ode to graffiti and the Boogie Down Bronx through an infectious read-aloud beat and colorful illustrations that leap right off the page! Perfect for fans of Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut and Keith Haring. An NPR Best Book...
Stella keeps the sun up
Ewing, Clothilde
Paper Book
In this incandescently fun, hijinks-filled picture book, a young girl schemes to keep the sun up in the sky so she never has to go to bed. If Stella had her way, she would stop sleeping on her sixth birthday. Because sleep is boring. And there are so many better...
The hike
Farrell, Alison
Paper Book
Snacks, supplies, and a dog. What more do you need for an epic adventure? In this plucky, sweet story, three intrepid young female explorers set out to conquer their local forest. The well-written, empowering narrative takes us on a local quest across a river, through the trees, and up a mountain,...
The bold, brave bunny
Ferry, Beth
Digital file
We all play = : Kime?tawa?naw
Flett, Julie
Paper Book
A BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR: New York Times, Washington Post, New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Globe and Mail, Horn Book, and Boston Globe STARRED Reviews in Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, The Horn...
Early one morning
Fox, Mem
Paper Book
Join a little boy searching the farm for his breakfast one fine morning in this charming picture book from bestselling author Mem Fox and award-winning illustrator Christine Davenier. Early one morning, a little boy sets out to find something for his breakfast. He searches the...
Berry Song
Goade, Michaela.
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor Book! An Indie Bestseller! Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On...
The honeybee
Hall, Kirsten
Paper Book
Buzz from flower to flower with a sweet honeybee in this timely, clever, and breathtakingly gorgeous picture book from critically acclaimed author Kirsten Hall and award-winning illustrator Isabelle Arsenault. Bzzz... What's that? Do you hear it? ...
Field trip to volcano island
Hare, John, (Children's book illustrator)
Paper Book
A wordless picture book adventure takes a group of students to visit a thrilling volcanic island. Perfect for fans of Field Trip to the Moon, Field Trip to the Ocean Deep, and field trips in general! John Hare's rich, atmospheric art invites all...
Mapping Sam
Hesselberth, Joyce
Paper Book
A Bologna Ragazzi Award Special Mention! An adventurous cat named Sam explores her neighborhood at night in this gorgeously illustrated book. Informational, beautiful, and deeply moving, Mapping Sam is both a book about how maps work and an engaging, character-driven story....
Kimchi, kimchi every day
Kim, Erica
Paper Book
Whether round and crunchy like a kimchi pancake or pinched and plump like a kimchi dumpling, there are so many ways to enjoy this Korean traditional dish. Explore the different ways to eat kimchi in this fun, rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Korean-American author...
Lift
Le?, Minh
Paper Book
From the award-winning and bestselling creators of Drawn Together comes the fantastic tale of a magical elevator that will lift your spirits--and press all the right buttons! Iris loves to push the elevator buttons in her apartment...
The Blur
Le?, Minh.
Paper Book
Meet a child with superhero-like abilities . . . and the parents who are racing to keep up with her in this sweetly funny picture book about the blur of childhood, from the award-winning creators of Drawn Together. A perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones--from graduations...
Not an alphabet book : the case of the missing cake
McLaughlin, Eoin
Paper Book
Follow Bear from A to Z as he hunts for a cake thief in a hilarious alphabet book crossed with a whodunit. There has been a terrible crime, Bear tells us. Someone has STOLEN a delicious chocolate cake! Bear sets off to find the culprit, questioning characters and...
People are wild
Meganck, Margaux
Ebook
An inviting and inventive classic-in-the-making about learning to have compassion for every living thing, gorgeously illustrated by a rising star in the picture book world. Wild creatures come in all shapes and sizes. They can be playful or loud or smelly or curious or cute-just...
How to eat a book
Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod
Paper Book
A whimsical picture book for kids written by debut wife and husband team Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod, children's book authors and artists. This irresistible book about books--and the way they make us feel--is set in a world bursting with charm and character. How to Eat a Book is destined to be a...
The suitcase
Naylor-Ballesteros, Chris
Paper Book
A powerful story about immigration, trust, and new beginnings, full of heart and humanity, for anyone who has ever felt unwelcome or out of place. Perfect for fans of Allen Say, Francesca Sanna, and Yuyi Morales.  When a weary stranger arrives one day, with...
One-osaurus, two-osaurus
Norman, Kim
Paper Book
Part counting game, part dinosaur celebration, this energetic romp is a numbers concept book for the ages. One-osaurus, two-osaurus, three-osaurus, four! Look there, in a child's bedroom, where some prehistoric pals are gathered in a counting game. Nine...
Hike
Oswald, Pete
Paper Book
Take to the trails for a celebration of nature -- and a day spent with dad. In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they're going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges,...
Gray fox in the moonlight
Peterson, Isaac
Paper Book
2023 PUBWEST DESIGN AWARDS WINNER 2024 CIPA EVVY AWARDS WINNER | GOLD 2024 CIPA EVVY AWARDS WINNER | Herb Tabak Choice Award "This book needs not one breath more for its perfect autumn and winter message." --School Library...
Blue Bison needs a haircut
Rothman, Scott
Paper Book
Blue Bison tries his best to be patient in this humorous picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald. Blue Bison prides himself on always looking clean and neat. But he has a growing problem--his hair. With the barber shops and just about...
Tiny T. Rex and the very dark dark
Stutzman, Jonathan
Paper Book
Tiny and Pointy are embarking on a whole new adventure - camping in the back yard! There's only one problem - it's dark outside, with no nighty-lights, and that is when the Grumbles and Nom-bies come out! But Tiny and Pointy are best friends, and working together they figure out a way to creatively...
Outside In
Underwood, Deborah
Paper Book
A 2020 Caldecott Honor Book From the New York Times best-selling author behind The Quiet Book comes a mindful contemplation on the many ways nature affects our everyday lives, even when we're stuck inside. Five starred reviews!
The pigeon will ride the roller coaster!
Willems, Mo
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times best-selling, award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems!   Buckle up for twists, turns, and emotional loop-de-loops in the most roller coaster-y Pigeon book ever! The Pigeon WILL be ready. Will YOU!?
The adventures of Qai Qai
Williams, Serena
Paper Book
From superstar athlete, record breaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist (and mama) Serena Williams, comes a magical picture book in which a little girl learns to believe in herself with the help of her doll and best friend, Qai Qai. "Don't be scared, Best Friend! I'm right...
Why not you?
Wilson, Ciara
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . From Grammy-winning pop star Ciara and Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson comes a picture book to inspire young readers to see the value in themselves, be brave, and go after their biggest dreams! Why not you? Amazing you! You're...
The year we learned to fly
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López's highly anticipated companion to their #1 New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin illuminates the power in each of us to face challenges with confidence. On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their...
Off-Limits
Yoon, Helen.
Paper Book
For every child who has ever felt that grown-ups have all the fun, here is a vicarious chance to slip behind the office door--and play with all the tempting things that are off-limits. Dad's office is off-limits--which only makes it more intriguing to his curious young daughter....

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