2026 TD Summer Reading Books for Younger Children

Updated March 13, 2026
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Ahoy!
Blackall, Sophie
Paper Book
Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure...all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from a beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling creator.
Don't trust fish
Sharpson, Neil
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * An absurdly laugh-out-loud funny picture book about the villainy of fish, illustrated by National Book Award-winning creator Dan Santat "A ribald and uproarious warning to those unschooled in fishy goings-on." --Kirkus, starred review ONE OF...
My book of frogs and toads
Valério, Geraldo
Paper Book
Leap into this stunning exploration of frogs and toads from around the world! A companion to My Book of Butterflies and My Book of Birds. When Geraldo Valério was growing up in Brazil, he learned that the tiny creatures he saw swimming in a puddle by the river weren't fish, but tadpoles...
Sunken ship
Hevron, Amy
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection Discover the tiny, fascinating world of sunken-ship reefs in this latest book in an illuminating nonfiction picture book series that explores how even the smallest habitats play big roles in nature. Long ago, a grand...
What about an octopus? : a fact-filled underwater adventure
Kerbel, Deborah
Paper Book
On a visit to the ocean, a curious little girl goes searching for a seashell and meets a new eight-armed friend While at the ocean, a curious young girl goes searching for a seashell and finds an octopus friend instead. The encounter turns into an afternoon full of play and discovery. From...
Chip gets swimmer shivers
Frost, Maddie
Paper Book
Chip, the little penguin, tries to get out of swim lessons in this hilarious Level Two I Can Read Comic by Maddie Frost. Chip is starting swim school and he really isn't looking forward to it. Join Chip as he navigates this first-time experience with imagination and...
I will swim next time
Joof, Emily
Paper Book
"Gentle, inspiring, and important... for parents looking to quell children's fears, support their dreams, and allow them room to grow." - Kirkus Reviews "When we went to a beach, my tummy felt tight.but it still felt wrong inside. Definitely... possibly... Perhaps I'd...
It bears repeating
Tagaq
Paper Book
Beginning with 1 proud polar bear standing tall and ending with 10 bears waving goodbye, this delightful counting book shows polar bears in all their forms- slippery and fast, crafty and cool, hungry and proud. Tanya has created a story meant to be read aloud, incorporating simple Inuktitut words...
The jellyfish bus
Lee, Suhyeon (Illustrator)
Paper Book
A slow-moving jellyfish finds his groove transporting deep sea tourists in this story about the power of community Slowpoke the jellyfish bus loves his job transporting fellow sea creatures, but he struggles to keep up with demands for faster travel. After he's called into headquarters and...
Kwesi and Nana Ruby learn to swim
Commeh, Kobina
Paper Book
A 2026 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book A 2026 Children's Africana Book Awards Best Picture Book Winner A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year for 2026 ★ "A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something...
Narwhal's sweet tooth
Clanton, Ben
Paper Book
"The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad." --Dav Pilkey, bestselling creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants The funny and adorable New York Times bestselling kids graphic novel series starring happy-go-lucky, waffle-loving Narwhal and somewhat cynical sidekick,...

Also available in eBook format.

The ocean calls : a haenyeo mermaid story
Cho, Tina M.
Paper Book
A breathtaking picture book featuring a Korean girl and her haenyeo (free diving) grandmother about intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with our natural world. Dayeon wants to be a haenyeo just like Grandma. The haenyeo dive off the coast...
Ocean meets sky
Fan, Terry
Paper Book
"Young readers will be captivated." --The Washington Post From the creators of the gorgeous bestseller The Night Gardener comes a stunning new picture book about a young boy who sets sail to find a place his grandfather told him about...the spot where the ocean...
Our pool
Cummins, Lucy Ruth
Paper Book
On a hot day, people come from all over the city to spend the day at the pool in this joyful picture book that's a love song to summer, the city, community, and staying cool! Today is a pool day in the city! The sun is shining, so what are you waiting for? Friends and family....
Red canoe shows up at two!
Allenby, Victoria
Paper Book
"Eye-catching images help kids master time and colors....Useful and attractive introductions to several important concepts." --Kirkus Reviews I spent the day On the dock And who zoomed up At six o'clock? A purple speedboat. A day on the...
Shark Girl
Beaton, Kate
Paper Book
An Indie Bestseller! A laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling comics creator Kate Beaton about a brave shark girl bent on revenge after a greedy fishing captain messes with her waters - perfect for fans of We Don't Eat Our Classmates. ...
Skating wild on an inland sea
Pendziwol, Jean
Paper Book
Let's go! Experience the magic of skating on wild ice. Two children wake up to hear the lake singing, then the wind begins wailing ... or is it a wolf? They bundle up and venture out into the cold, carrying their skates. On the snow-covered shore, they spot tracks made by fox, deer, hare,...
Spinosaurus makes a splash
Bedia, Elizabeth Gilbert
Paper Book
Embark on a prehistoric journey with this picture book series teaching children incredible facts about dinosaurs. Introducing A Dinosaur's Day: Spinosaurus Makes a Splash - a storytime adventure that teaches kids aged 3-6 exciting dinosaur facts. Packed with...
Tove and the island with no address
Soloy, Lauren
Paper Book
A gorgeous picture book homage to celebrated Moomin author Tove Jansson. Tove and her family go to the island with no address every summer. After checking to make sure that everything in the cabin is exactly as it should be, young Tove sets off on an adventure. She finds some...
When you can swim
Wong, Jack
Paper Book
Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award Winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award A reverent celebration of learning to swim among a diverse cast of children and families who each experience the mysterious joys of water in nature...

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