2025 Summer Reading Program: Pre-Readers

Updated January 22, 2025
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My visit to the aquarium
Aliki.
Paper Book
During his visit to an aquarium, a boy finds out about the characteristics and environments of many different marine and freshwater creatures.
The moon seems to change
Branley, Franklyn Mansfield
Paper Book
Explains the phases of the moon--the changes that seem to happen to it as it goes around Earth.
Guji Guji
Chen, Zhiyuan
Paper Book
An original in his own family - never mind the rest of the world - Guji Guji proves to himself and others that family, no matter where or what that family may be, is worth protecting and cherishing.This award-winning, modern-day classic combines a child-friendly, playful text, vivid characters and...
On Baba's back
Dubuc, Marianne
Paper Book
Baby koala Koko takes his first step toward independence in this endearing board book made for reading together. Koko and Baba are a very close koala family, so close that Koko does everything on Baba's back--eats, plays, you name it! Until one day, when Koko wants to do...
Oh, no! /
Fleming, Candace.
Paper Book
"This picture book reads like an instant classic.... Oh, yes!" raved Kirkus Reviews in a starred review. Young children will delight in repeating the refrain "OH, NO!" as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud. This simple and irresistible...
Kitten's first full moon
Henkes, Kevin.
Paper Book
This nationally bestselling picture book about a kitten, the moon, and a bowl of milk, written by the celebrated author and illustrator Kevin Henkes, was awarded a Caldecott Medal. From one of the most celebrated and beloved picture book creators working in the field today comes a...
Bread and jam for Frances
Hoban, Russell.
Paper Book
The classic funny story about a stubborn little badger with very particular tastes in food. Frances is a fussy eater. In fact, the only thing she likes is bread and jam. She won't touch her squishy soft-boiled egg. She trades away her chicken-salad sandwich at lunch. She turns up her nose...
One leaf rides the wind : counting in a Japanese garden
Mannis, Celeste Davidson.
Paper Book
A young girl makes her way slowly through a Japanese garden where she spots one leaf, two carved temple dogs, three miniature bonsai, and four startled birds. This counting book introduces the youngest readers to the beauty and hidden secrets of a Japanese garden. It also introduces haiku, with ten...
Let's be brave
Osakwe, Leah
Paper Book
Explore different ways to be brave! From chasing your dreams to standing up for yourself, this inspiring book empowers children to look within to find courage and confidence. Each one of us has the power to be exactly who we want to be. This inspiring board book empowers children...
I'm still up!
Portis, Antoinette
Paper Book
"A masterclass on how to create the ideal board book. It really is." -Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ Blog) A soothing and humorous bedtime story with a baby who is still up! This is the ideal board book for baby to read before lying down to sleep.
The relatives came
Rylant, Cynthia.
Paper Book
When a carload of their relatives pay a visit, a beleaguered family cannot tell one cousin from another. A Caldecott Honor Book.
All the world /
Scanlon, Elizabeth Garton.
Paper Book
All the world is here. It is there. It is everywhere. All the world is right where you are. Now. Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning till night, this book affirms the importance of all...
Clip-clop
Smee, Nicola.
Paper Book
Every child adores getting twirled and tossed by Mommy and Daddy. Again! Again, they squeal. That’s...
Doctor De Soto
Steig, William
Paper Book
From the incomparable William Steig, creator of Shrek, comes a story that proves even a fox can be out-foxed by a clever mouse in Doctor De Soto, a Newbery Honor Book. "Doctor De Soto, the dentist, did very good work." With the aid of his able assistant, Mrs. De...
Interrupting chicken
Stein, David Ezra.
Paper Book
Awarded a 2011 Caldecott Honor! A favorite joke inspires this New York Times best-selling tale, in which a little chicken's habit of interrupting bedtime stories is gleefully turned on its head. It's time for the little red chicken's bedtime story--and a reminder from Papa...
Cat nap /
Yuly, Toni.
Paper Book
Cat loves to nap. If only he could find a good resting place to hide from playful (and wide awake) Kitten! Opposites and hide-and-seek make this a fun story for naptime -- or anytime. In this book filled with opposites (big and little, black and white, sleepy and...

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