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) Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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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.

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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...
Bundle up, Penelope Rex!
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
#1 New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins presents everyone's favorite dinosaur Penelope Rex in her board book debut, perfect for winter time. Penelope Rex wants to play in the snow. Her pet saber tooth cat wants to help her get ready. ...
Diggersaurs
Whaite, Michael
Paper Book
Bigger than a digger...hungrier than a dinosaur...it's a DIGGERSAUR! This rhyming mash-up of dinosaurs and trucks will delight dino fanatics and construction fans alike. A dozen dinosaur trucks crunch, scrape, chomp, and rumble through this book as they work on roads and...
Dinosaur
Hepworth, Amelia
Paper Book
This interactive board book, which features layered die cuts throughout, is the perfect way to introduce curious toddlers to Tyrannosaurus rex. Dinosaurs were simply amazing! Take a look inside and learn all about how the Tyrannosaurs rex worked with this...
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...
Little lost dinosaur
Deer, Will
Paper Book
Get ready for a hilarious adventure with Little Lost Dinosaur, the new title in the successful Search and Find series by Priddy Books. Young children will love helping Little Dinosaur find his mom in this chunky, interactive novelty board book. With tabs to pull...
MIS Zapatos de Dinosaurio / My Dinosaur Shoes
Tassopoulos Wehner, Eleni
Paper Book
Come along with Roscoe & Ivy as Roscoe transitions to a new pair of shoes!  Roscoe really, really loves his puppy shoes. They're so soft! So comfy! So... PERFECT! When his puppy shoes get to be too small, it's time for a new pair of dinosaur shoes. Dinosaur shoes?! Those...
Peekaboo Rex!
Boynton, Sandra
Paper Book
Join a T. rex who loves playing peekaboo in this surprising board book from bestselling and beloved Sandra Boynton! Follow a lovable T. rex throughout its day as it plays peekaboo with a tiny dinosaur friend. A story only Sandra Boynton could dream up, featuring two adorable...
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...
Stomp, soar, dino roar
Amato, Max
Paper Book
A romping, rhyming, onomatopoeic tale of Terri the Triceratops and the world of dinosaurs! Terri the Triceratops's world is full of strange sounds, from crawling critters and shaking trees to scorching volcanoes and stormy seas. As she embarks on a journey through the Late Cretaceous...
Tiny T. Rex and the Itty-Bitty Bun-Bun: An Easter and Springtime Story
Stutzman, Jonathan
Paper Book
Everyone's favorite pint-sized dino from the New York Times bestseller Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug celebrates springtime with this heartwarming Easter board book!  The Easter Bun-Bun visits young dinosaurs and leaves them each a...
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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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/292.400/list/6837

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