Color Our World: Independent Reader

Our 2025 Bookworm Summer Reading Theme is Color Your World. We invite you to explore the world around you through art and books. Here are some to get you started!

Updated January 3, 2025
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Party problems
Reid, C. L.
Paper Book
Emma is excited about Izzie's birthday party. But she's also nervous. Is her dress too fancy? Will she know anyone else at the party? Did she buy the right gift? Will Emma's worries ruin her chance to have fun? Find out how Emma handles her party problems in this early chapter book from the Emma...
The orange wall
Bolling, Valerie
Paper Book
Zoya and her puppy Coco are excited for a glittery bedroom makeover in this full-color book perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read...
Shapes and shapes : with Annemarie
Brunetti, Ivan
Paper Book
Who knew shapes could be so much fun? Respected art professor IVAN BRUNETTI still remembers the fun he had playing with shapes as a kid. In the hands of the author/artist of Wordplay, 3x4, and Comics- Easy as ABC, shapes explode, divide, and multiply,...
Ten-word tiny tales : to inspire and unsettle
Coelho, Joseph
Paper Book
UK Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho presents twenty tiny tales--each one illustrated by a different artist, and each just ten words long--in a book that's as much a work of art as an invitation to budding writers. "Invite me in," she says, outside my tenth-story window....
Parker dresses up
Curry, Parker
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling team behind Parker Looks Up returns with this Level 1 Ready-to-Read about the fun of dressing up and dreaming big! Parker is playing dress up with her younger siblings, Ava and Cash. With each costume, Parker imagines what her life...
Pete the Kitty's outdoor art project
Dean, Kim
Paper Book
Join Pete the Kitty as he gets creative in this I Can Read story from New York Times bestselling team Kimberly and James Dean. Pete the Kitty loves art class. But when the project is to go outside and make art from nature, Pete isn't sure what to create. Then inspiration...
Soren's seventh song
Eggers, Dave
Paper Book
From Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times bestselling author Dave Eggers, Soren's Seventh Song is a deadpan take on creativity and persistence, as told through the eyes of a humpback whale looking for a new song--with color illustrations by Mark Hoffman. ...
Yasmin the fashionista
Faruqi, Saadia
Paper Book
Yasmin is bored! But a glimpse of the pretty clothes in Mama's closet turns a boring evening into a glamorous fashion show, until, OOPS! Mama's shalwar kameez is ruined! Can Yasmin's nani save the day before Mama gets home?
Uncle Fred is a knucklehead!
Gutman, Dan
Paper Book
With more than 32 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this second book of the My Weirdtastic School arc, join A.J. and friends as they become part of the studio audience for a TV show whose host can't seem to grow up! A.J. and the gang have been...
The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink
Hale, Shannon
Paper Book
"A wonderful addition to the Hales' unique series, wherein zany humor and teamwork tells the story that children can be anything they dream of." --School Library Journal Princess Magnolia is at the Flower Festival prepping for the evening ball when suddenly she hears a...
The Princess in Black
Hale, Shannon
Paper Book
Who says princesses don't wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black! Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The...
The Infamous Ratsos : Live! In concert!
LaReau, Kara
Paper Book
Ralphie is excited to sing and dance with his friends--until Chad makes fun of them for being "girly." Can everyone learn to be true to themselves? When Louie and Ralphie Ratso see their friends singing and dancing in the run-down band shell in the Big City Park, Louie gets one...
Showtime!
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Ty rocks out with friends in this new book in the Geisel Honor-winning series! Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Showtime, a My First I Can Read story by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata. Music, imagination, and play are...
The color of sound
Isler, Emily Barth
Paper Book
"[A] salient celebration of family, music, and neurodiversity." --starred, Publishers Weekly "A top pick for any middle school collection; a perfect book club pick and a reminder to all that patience and understanding can change lives." --starred, School Library Journal Twelve-year...
Monkey-CAM
Palatini, Margie.
Paper Book
Experience the world from a monkey's perspective via the video camera on its head in this fun and exciting Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read book in the Critter-Cam series! Through a video camera positioned on the monkey's head, readers can follow along from the monkey's point of view as...
Kitty-cam
Palatini, Margie
Paper Book
See the world from a pet kitty's point of view via the video camera perched on its head in this playful and energetic Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read book in the Critter-Cam series! Jump, Kitty. Jump. Jump. Jump. Dunk, Kitty. Dunk. Dunk. Dunk. Dunk.
The adventures of Captain Underpants : the first epic novel
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
Laugh out loud with Captain Underpants, the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Dog Man!Fourth graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins are a couple of class clowns. The only thing they enjoy more than playing practical jokes is creating their own comic...
Cat Kid Comic Club
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
A pioneering new graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of the internationally bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series. Naomi, Melvin, Pedro, and Poppy are just a few of the twenty-one rambunctious, funny, and talented baby frogs who share their...
Poetry prompts : all sorts of ways to start a poem
Coelho, Joseph
Paper Book
A compendium of poetry prompts from Joseph Coelho (Children's Laureate 2022-2024). *2024 Everymom Best Book for Early Reading* *2024 CBC Librarian FAVORITES* *2024 CBC Teacher FAVORITES* Each fun and engaging prompt for...
Art lab for kids : 52 creative adventures in drawing, painting, printmaking, paper, and mixed media-for budding artists of all ages
Schwake, Susan.
Paper Book
Art Lab for Kids is a refreshing source of wonderful ideas for creating fine art with children, offering 52 fun and creative step-by-step art projects set into weekly lessons.  The book begins with drawing, then moves through painting and printmaking, and...
Upstaged
Asher, Diana Harmon
Paper Book
A shy actress steps into the spotlight in this charming middle-grade novel Shira Gordon is painfully shy. She rarely speaks and blushes at everything. And yet, when she's alone in her room, she'll sing and dance, dreaming she were different. So when her best friend forces her...
The last comics on Earth : too many villains!
Brallier, Max
Paper Book
The New York Times and USA Today bestselling series from worldwide phenomenon Max Brallier-- a spin-off based on the mega-bestselling The Last Kids on Earth! Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk face their biggest challenge yet: creating the sequel to their hit graphic novel...
Dream, Annie, dream
Brown, Waka T.
Paper Book
In this empowering deconstruction of the so-called American Dream, a twelve-year-old Japanese American girl grapples with, and ultimately rises above, the racism and trials of middle school she experiences while chasing her dreams. As the daughter of immigrants who came to...
Keep dancing, Lizzie Chu
Chan, Maisie
Paper Book
Keep trying, keep laughing, keep dancing!
Upstaged
Easter, Robin
Paper Book
★ "Sharply written and evocative" -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "This theater camp has plenty of captivating drama both on stage and off!" --Kayla Miller, New York Times bestselling creator of the Click graphic novel series ...
Maya plays the part
Erb, Calyssa
Paper Book
A Children's Book Book Council Spotlight selection! A heartwarming middle-grade debut with autism representation and a musical flair. Maya lives and breathes musicals. When her chance to finally be a part of the summer musical program at the community theater comes up, Maya is...
A copycat conundrum
Yee, Lisa
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * When San Francisco is under strange attacks--like earthquakes affecting only two city blocks at a time--who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series! ...
The Swifts
Lincoln, Beth
Paper Book
'A stunning debut . . . laugh-out-loud funny' - Observer Discover the hilarious New York Times bestselling mystery adventure perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Lemony Snicket. On the day they are born, each Swift is brought before the...
Besties : Work It Out
Miller, Kayla
Paper Book
A fun and fresh graphic-novel series spin-off of the New York Times bestselling Click books, featuring aspiring entrepreneurs Beth and Chanda! When the girls land a lucrative dogsitting gig, they're sure that fame, fortune, and popularity can't be far behind, but nothing can prepare them for the...
Jacky Ha-Ha gets the last laugh
Patterson, James
Paper Book
Jacky Hart finally knows the thrill of having people laugh with her (not at her). She tries to put her comedy and theatre skills to use in her summer job-but the boardwalk crowds aren't exactly adoring. So Jacky jumps at the opportunity of a lifetime- an all-expense paid trip to theatre camp! ...
Picture day
Sax, Sarah
Paper Book
Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school is picture day! And that's exactly where thisyearbook-worthy graphic novel series opener begins- with reinventing yourself, drama, popularity, and the friends who see you through. Seventh-grader Viv never looks forward...
Art year by year
Bowden, Alice
Paper Book
Travel through time to discover the paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects that enrich our world. Are you seeking a lavishly illustrated timeline that showcases a glorious gallery of art from all around the world? Then SI Art Year By Year may be the book for you!
The drawing lesson : a graphic novel that teaches you how to draw
Crilley, Mark
Paper Book
Read This Comic and Start Drawing Today! Nominated for a 2017 Eisner Award For the first time ever, drawing instructor and graphic novelist Mark Crilley brings his easy-to-follow artistic instruction to aspiring artists in the form of a comic book, providing you with a one-of-a...
From pyramids to palaces : architecture around the world
Vel?ovsk
Paper Book
Explore the fascinating world of architecture, from ancient monuments to modern structures, and decode architectural styles and history in this engaging non-fiction book. This non-fiction compendium takes readers on a global tour of architectural wonders, from ancient monuments that have...
Kitchen science lab for kids : 52 family friendly experiments from around the house
Heinecke, Liz Lee
Paper Book
Inspire a lifelong passion for science with these physics, chemistry, and biology experiments for kids--all using common household tools and ingredients! In Kitchen Science Lab for Kids, mom and scientist Liz Lee Heinecke presents 52 family-friendly labs<...
Iconic Artists : A Celebration of the World's Extraordinary Artists
Csicsko, David Lee/ Sinclair, Lindy/ Csicsko, David Lee (ILT)
Paper Book
Iconic Artists highlights the origin and contributions of some of the world's most remarkable and gifted artists throughout history.  Bold, whimsical illustrations by David Lee Csicsko along with concise, engaging bios co-written by Csicsko and Lindy...
The spectacular science of art
Colson, Rob
Paper Book
The Spectacular Science of Art is guaranteed to answer all those tricky science questions that children ask about colours, perspective, and symmetry - and that parents often struggle to answer - such as: What is colour theory? How do artists use maths in their paintings? How do scientists spot...
Fashionopolis : the secrets behind the clothes we wear
Thomas, Dana
Paper Book
A look at fast fashion and its impact on the environment and social justice, perfect for middle grade classrooms Did you ever think about where your jeans come from? How about the people who made your T-shirt, or what happens to the clothes you grow out of when you're done...
Stephen Biesty's incredible cross-sections
Biesty, Stephen
Paper Book
This children's book explores the innermost workings of some extraordinary buildings and machines. From helicopters to submarines, skyscrapers to coal mines, open up a fascinating world packed with unique and detailed cutaway drawings. Whether it's a Spanish galleon or a medieval castle...

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