Books for Emerging Readers (K to Grade 2)

Kids that are starting to read short books on their own need books that are shorter with illustrations to keep them from being overwhelmed. Early Readers are great options for books that feel manageable. They can be fiction or non-fiction as long as the topic interests the child. Not all Early Readers use the same rating system, so have your child read the first page or two, and if there are more than three or four words per page that they struggle to read, find a book that is a little less of a challenge.

Updated May 29, 2025
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Lambton County Library Summer Reading Challenge 2025
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Dump trucks
Paper Book
Beep! Beep! Here comes a dump truck! Young students can learn basic facts about these load-bearing machines through simple text and colorful photos in this beginning title. Photo labels, diagrams, and picture glossaries clarify and reinforce the text to support readers who are just starting out.
Mars
Bauer, Marion Dane.
Paper Book
Explore the planet Mars in the second book in this new, nonfiction Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about the universe that's perfect for kids who love science and space! Do you see that red dot in the night sky? It's Mars! Discover the exciting surprises about the Red Planet in this...
Buster the very shy dog finds a kitten
Bechtold, Lisze
Paper Book
Praise for Buster series: "A good choice for kids just past the easiest reader stage." --Booklist The adventures of  Buster continue in two new easy-to-read stories. In the first, Buster is startled by noises and rustling in the dark space under...
Paddington plays on
Bond, Michael
Paper Book
While on vacation with the Browns in a small French town, Paddington plays the drums with the local band.
Paddington's day off
Bond, Michael
Paper Book
Paddington Bear has charmed readers of all ages for almost 60 years! Now part of the I Can Read line, Michael Bond's classic character will delight beginning readers with his curious nature and nose for adventure. Paddington and Mr. Gruber enjoy a day off from their duties as they set out...
Clifford the small red puppy
Bridwell, Norman.
Paper Book
Clifford wasn't always a big red dog. . . Clifford begins life as a very small, red puppy, but once he starts growing into a very large, red dog, there seems no limit to his potential size!
Clifford, the big red dog
Bridwell, Norman.
Paper Book
Clifford is the biggest, reddest dog on Emily Elizabeth's street, and he makes a perfect watchdog! Text copyright 2004 Lectorum Publications, Inc.
I spy blue in the ocean
Culliford, Amy
Paper Book
Do you know what lives under the sea? Read along with our spy as he discovers all kinds of underwater creatures that are blue! The perfect book for emerging readers, I Spy Blue in the Ocean uses simple sentences and colorful illustrations to help early readers practice their reading skills. Includes...
I spy yellow in the desert
Culliford, Amy
Paper Book
Attention agents: our spy needs your help! Read along and explore a vast desert with hidden treasures. If you can help our spy discover all the things that are yellow, there might even be a reward waiting for you! I Spy Yellow in the Desert uses easy-to-read sentences and colorful illustrations to...
Bink & Gollie
DiCamillo, Kate.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! "If James Marshall's George and Martha were not hippos and were both girls, they would be much like best friends Bink and Gollie. . . . More, please!" -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Meet Bink and Gollie, two precocious...
I want to be a doctor
Driscoll, Laura
Paper Book
Explains what a doctor is and what their responsibilities are, including helping people who are sick or hurt.--
Gossie
Dunrea, Olivier.
Paper Book
Meet Gossie in this My First I Can Read book about friendship and sharing, from the world of Olivier Dunrea's Gossie & Friends. Gossie is a small yellow gosling who loves to wear bright red boots--every day. But one morning she can't find them! This sweet story models social-emotional...
Frog can hop
Gehl, Laura.
Paper Book
From Laura Gehl, author of Dog Can Hide and Cat Sees Snow, comes another side-splitting Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read about an energetic frog and unhurried pig. Frog can hop. Pig likes to flop. When Frog makes a big drop, will Pig help? Perfect for kids at...
Clark the shark and the big book report
Hale, Bruce
Paper Book
Clark the Shark is ready to present his book report to the class. But at the last minute, Clark gets stage fright and clams up in front of everybody. With a little help from his teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, will Clark be able to overcome his fears?
Bruce's big fun day
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
An original World of Reading story starring Bruce, the curmudgeonly bear of the New York Times best-selling Mother Bruce series by Ryan T. Higgins. Nibbs the mouse wants to give Bruce a BIG FUN DAY! But Bruce does not like BIG FUN DAYS. Not one bit. Ryan...
Houndsley and Catina at the library
Howe, James
Paper Book
The charming duo returns with a love letter to the library, good friends, the joy of learning, and self-reinvention. It's Saturday, and Houndsley, Catina, and their friend Bert are looking forward to their weekly visit to the library. But when the trio arrives, they find that...
The bad seed
John, Jory.
Paper Book
There is a bad seed. A baaaaaaaad seed. How bad Do you really want to know He lies about pointless stuff. He cuts in line. Every time. And he does LOTS of other bad things too. But what happens when a bad seed doesn't want to be bad anymore Can a...
The good egg and the talent show
John, Jory.
Paper Book
The Good Egg discovers his true talent in this Level One I Can Read by the #1 New York Times bestselling duo Jory John and Pete Oswald! The talent show is today and the Good Egg is so excited. There's just one problem. He doesn't have an act! When the talent show starts, he accepts...
5 wilder creature adventures! : a collection of five early readers
Kratt, Martin.
Paper Book
Five Wild Kratts Step into Reading leveled readers in one book for even wilder adventures with the Kratt Brothers and animals from all around the world! PBS's hit animated show Wild Kratts follows the adventures of zoologists Chris and Martin Kratt as the duo travels to...
Frog and Toad are friends
Lobel, Arnold.
Paper Book
Celebrate the power of friendship in these five adventurous stories starring Frog and Toad--a Caldecott Honor Book!  From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other--just as best friends should be. ...
Going to the Sea Park
Mayer, Mercer
Paper Book
Join Mercer Mayer's classic and beloved character, Little Critter®, and his classmates for some underwater fun as they set out on a delightful trip to the sea park! With Little Critter and a charming world of sea creatures big and small, there's a boatload of fun for everyone! ...
Time for puppy school
O'Connor, Jane.
Paper Book
Ooh la la--school starts soon! Fancy Nancy can't wait to go back, but she'll miss Frenchy very much. Nancy's loved playing with her favorite puppy all summer, but sometimes Frenchy can be a bit naughty. When she gets into trouble one too many times, the Clancys decide that it's time for Frenchy...
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...
Amelia Bedelia
Parish, Peggy.
Paper Book
Learn to read with the classic Amelia Bedelia! Ever since Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers have been laughing out loud at the antics of this literal-minded but charming housekeeper.   From dressing the chicken to drawing the drapes...
Uni's first sleepover
Ransom, Candice F.
Paper Book
The dot
Reynolds, Peter
Paper Book
With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark -- and follow where it takes us. Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you." Art class is over, but...
The word collector
Reynolds, Peter H.
Paper Book
From the creator of The Dot, I Am Human, and Happy Dreamer comes a celebration of finding your own words -- and the impact you can have when you share them with the world. Some people collect stamps. Some people collect coins. Some people collect art. And...
Henry and Mudge in puddle trouble : the second book of their adventures
Rylant, Cynthia.
Ebook
Fox is late
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
Fun-loving, mischievous Fox is late for lunch, so he hops on his skateboard. Go, Fox, go! What is this winning trickster character doing, zooming over and under and around on his skateboard? His animal friends follow him home to find out--and get a big surprise! Fox Is...
Fox the tiger
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
Winner of the 2019 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Fun-loving, mischievous Fox wishes he were a tiger. Tigers are big and fast and sneaky. So he decides to become one! Soon Turtle and Rabbit are joining in the fun. But will Fox want to be a tiger forever? In Fox the Tiger, this...
We are in a book!
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
Mo Willems, award-winning, New York Times best-selling creator of The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Unlimited Squirrels, presents best friends Elephant Gerald and Piggie.   Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald...

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