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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Baby T. rex
Abery, Julie
Paper Book
Baby T. rex hatches and explores the prehistoric world. Of particular interest is another egg that has rolled from the T. rex nest and gotten stuck in a hole. It'll take luck (and some help from a turtle) for the little dinosaur to rescue their sibling.  Written by...
Baby triceratops
Abery, Julie
Paper Book
Take little ones on a prehistoric adventure with baby dinosaurs! Based on facts we know from paleontology, these poetic rhyming stories imagine what Jurassic and Cretaceous life was like for the youngest dinosaurs. Delightful read-alouds for toddlers and preschoolers, these sturdy board books will...
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 mission to Mars
Whaite, Michael
Paper Book
Bigger than a digger...hungrier than a dinosaur...out of this world...it's a DIGGERSAUR ON MARS! This rhyming mash-up of dinosaurs, trucks, and outer space will delight young readers! Roversaurs complete their chores on the planet Mars. Soaring, testing, and exploring, all among...
Dinosaur Day
Murray, Diana
Paper Book
Hooray! Hooray! It's Dino Day! From the best-selling creators of Unicorn Day comes a dino-mite celebration as all sorts of dinosaurs celebrate Dinosaur Day! On Dinosaur Day, dinosaurs love to stomp and chomp. But they like silly singing, rowdy swimming, and yummy desserts too. All this fun...
First picture encyclopedia of dinosaurs
Gallagher, Belinda
Paper Book
Step back in time to discover the world of prehistory! This beautifully illustrated hardback encyclopedia is packed with fantastic facts about more than 100 dinosaurs and other ancient animals. From tiny, four-winged Microraptor to skyscraping Sauroposeidon, every dinosaur is a source...
The fossil whisperer : how Wendy Sloboda discovered a dinosaur
Becker, Helaine
Paper Book
Wendy has an eye for the unusual and is skilled at finding things that others don't see. On a middle school field trip, she spots one of those unusual things - it's fossilized coral 100 million years old! Wendy's thrilled! And soon, she gets hooked on hunting fossils. She decides to turn her passion...
Here we go digging for dinosaur bones : sung to the tune of "here we go round the mulberry bush"
Lendroth, Susan
Paper Book
"This is a perfect book for a dinosaur storytime."-School Library Journal This STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behindpaleontology. Set to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush," Here We...
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...
I met a dinosaur
Wahl, Jan.
Paper Book
What is a stegosaurus doing at the gas station? Why is an apatosaurus on its way to the park? After a visit to the Museum of Natural History, a young girl takes the memory of those prehistoric beasts with her and begins to see the creatures in the most unexpected places. Creative Editions is...
My Dinosaur Shoes
Tassopoulos Wehner, Eleni
★"A strong addition from a neurodivergent author and illustrator that will resonate with many children and families" - School Library Journal, starred review "Through simple narrative, gentle modeling, and expressive character design, the...
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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