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Summer Reading RecommendationsUnpublished

Early Literacy Picture Books

Updated April 24, 2025

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Wonder walkers

Archer, Micha

Paper Book

A Caldecott Honor winner! Micha Archer's gorgeous, detailed collages give readers a fresh outlook on the splendors of nature. When two curious kids embark on a "wonder walk," they let their imaginations soar as they look at the world in a whole new light. They have...

Whose knees are these?

Asim, Jabari

Paper Book

A vibrant, playful verse that celebrates a beautiful brown baby's sweet little knees, for fans of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. I've searched the world and seven seas. Never have I seen such charming knees.

Whose toes are those?

Asim, Jabari

Paper Book

A vibrant, playful verse that celebrates a beautiful brown baby's adorable little toes, for fans of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Who do you suppose has such fine toes? So brown and sweet. Who could have such...

Leyla

Bernstein, Galia

Paper Book

Leyla is sick of her big, loud, overbearing family. They are always chatting, snuggling, and grooming each other (ew!), and-for Leyla-there's no escape from their attention. So, she decides to run away until she can't hear (or smell) her baboon troop anymore. In the middle of her desert habitat, she...

Odd dog out

Biddulph, Rob

Paper Book

AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH (DECEMBER 2019) SELECTION! A heartwarming and poignant story from award-winning creator Rob Biddulph about the power of embracing your true colors. Perfect for fans of Peter Brown's Tiger Goes Wild. It's a dog's life in the big, busy city, but...

Secret, secret agent guy

Bigwood, Kira

Paper Book

Send little spies to sleep with this hilarious, tongue-in-cheek lullaby set to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Dear Fellow Agents: Your mission--should you choose to accept it--is to join Secret, Secret Agent Guy on his bedtime assignment, code name:...

Shhh! The baby's asleep

Brown-Wood, JaNay

Paper Book

Celebrate the silliness that comes with a big family in this playful read aloud about a big brother, a sleeping baby, and a very noisy family. Baby is finally asleep. But everyone is much too loud! Can Mom, Daddy, Grammy, Pop Pop, Shae, Dante, Rover the dog, and even the...

Truck full of ducks

Burach, Ross

Paper Book

Titanic new talent Ross Burach breathes fresh life into tried and true topics -- trucks and ducks! -- in this laugh-out-loud comedy of errors!"Children will delight in the extreme silliness of this story and will repeatedly pore over the detailed, colorful, and quirky illustrations." --School...

Show the world!

Dalton, Angela

Paper Book

A celebration of self-expression and the power of using your voice, centering Black children, and exploring the many things they can do, create, and say to make their mark. Look around! Can you see? The many spaces, places, and ways to show the world...

Knight Owl

Denise, Christopher

Paper Book

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * CALDECOTT HONOR AWARD WINNER * USA TODAY BESTSELLER A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. ...

We're going on a treasure hunt

DiPucchio, Kelly

Paper Book

Ahoy there! Join this crew of pirates on a high-seas quest for treasure. These salty dogs are off to fetch some gold, and no whale, skeleton, or thunderstorm can stand in their way. But our brave buccaneers best beware--there may be even more trouble ahead! With Kelly DiPucchio's fun, rhyming text...

Nigel and the Moon

Eady, Antwan.

Paper Book

From debut author Antwan Eady and artist Gracey Zhang comes a glowing tale about the young dreaming big. A perfect story to demonstrate how pride in where we come from can bring a shining confidence. When Nigel looks up at the moon, his future is bright. He imagines himself...

Stella keeps the sun up

Ewing, Clothilde

Paper Book

In this incandescently fun, hijinks-filled picture book, a young girl schemes to keep the sun up in the sky so she never has to go to bed. If Stella had her way, she would stop sleeping on her sixth birthday. Because sleep is boring. And there are so many better...

Night lunch

Fan, Eric

Paper Book

This dreamlike picture book is a magical ode to Victorian lunch wagons. Inside the elegant Night Owl, a feathery cook works the grill, serving up tasty dishes for shift-workers and operagoers alike. As the evening s service winds down, weary Owl spots trembling Mouse, a poor street sweeper. Has he...

The hike

Farrell, Alison

Paper Book

The Hike is a must-have for budding scientists, best friends, and all adventurers in preschool and kindergarten. "These young explorers demonstrate the best principles of time spent in the woods: observing, admiring and learning. And, through...

The bold, brave bunny

Ferry, Beth

Paper Book

* An Amazon Best Book of 2020 So Far * A Junior Library Guild Selection * "An enjoyable tale of the marvels of adventuring and the comfort of home." --Kirkus Hop along with Teetu, the bold, brave bunny, as he finds his way in this imaginative tale from New York Times...

We all play = : Kime?tawa?naw

Flett, Julie

Paper Book

A BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR: New York Times, Washington Post, New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Globe and Mail, Horn Book, and Boston Globe STARRED Reviews in Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, The Horn...

Early one morning

Fox, Mem

Paper Book

Join a little boy searching the farm for his breakfast one fine morning in this charming picture book from bestselling author Mem Fox and award-winning illustrator Christine Davenier. Early one morning, a little boy sets out to find something for his breakfast. He searches the...

Berry Song

Goade, Michaela.

Paper Book

A Caldecott Honor Book! An Indie Bestseller! Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On...

The Adventures of Robo-Kid

De Groat, Diane

Paper Book

A comic-book superhero climbs off the page and into the real world. When they get into trouble, his biggest fan is there to save the day. Imagine you could meet your favorite comic-book hero in the real world. What kinds of questions would you ask? Would you go on new and...

The froggies do not want to sleep

Gustavson, Adam

Paper Book

Prepare for a different kind of bedtime book--a zany, imaginative adventure to send your little froggies off to dreamland. Not since David Wiesner's Tuesday have frogs had so much fun! Why go to bed when you can play the accordion, dance underwater ballet, and hold burping...

The honeybee

Hall, Kirsten

Paper Book

Buzz from flower to flower with a sweet honeybee in this timely, clever, and breathtakingly gorgeous picture book from critically acclaimed author Kirsten Hall and award-winning illustrator Isabelle Arsenault. Bzzz... What's that? Do you hear it? ...

Field trip to volcano island

Hare, John, (Children's book illustrator)

Paper Book

A wordless picture book adventure takes a group of students to visit a thrilling volcanic island. Perfect for fans of Field Trip to the Moon, Field Trip to the Ocean Deep, and field trips in general! John Hare's rich, atmospheric art invites all...

Mapping Sam

Hesselberth, Joyce

Paper Book

A Bologna Ragazzi Award Special Mention! An adventurous cat named Sam explores her neighborhood at night in this gorgeously illustrated book. Informational, beautiful, and deeply moving, Mapping Sam is both a book about how maps work and an engaging, character-driven story....

Grace and Box

Howard, Kim

Paper Book

A little girl and a refrigerator box go on many adventures as they imagine all the things they can be in this debut picture book from Kim Howard and Megan Lotter, Grace and Box... Grace and Box have become fast friends. Box delivered a refrigerator earlier in the week...

Fox and the box

Ivinson, Yvonne

Paper Book

What can a fox do with a box Have a grand adventure! In this debut picture book, author-illustrator Yvonne Ivinson invites readers on an imagination- and vocabulary-fueled journey. With colorful, engaging paintings; a lively, limited word count; an adorable fox; and a story...

Blue floats away

Jonker, Travis

Paper Book

A little iceberg strikes out on a big journey in this new picture book that explores the wonders of the water cycle Little Blue lives at the North Pole with his parents until, one day, he floats away and strikes out on his own. Along the way, Blue encounters new things (sharks...

Hudson and Tallulah take sides

Kang, Anna

Paper Book

From an award-winning team, a tale about a cat and a dog who discover that even though they don't look at things the same way, they can still be friends. Hudson and Tallulah may be neighbors, but the fence between their yards isn't the only thing that divides them. They can't see...

Kimchi, kimchi every day

Kim, Erica

Paper Book

Whether round and crunchy like a kimchi pancake or pinched and plump like a kimchi dumpling, there are so many ways to enjoy this Korean traditional dish. Explore the different ways to eat kimchi in this fun, rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Korean-American author...

EEK! : a noisy journey from A to Z

Larios, Julie Hofstrand

Paper Book

Make some noise for the most fun alphabet book you'll read this year! A lively, engaging read aloud just right for toddlers and preschoolers. Author Julie Larios teams up with award-winning author and illustrator Julie Paschkis to lead young readers on a humorous, boisterous...

Lift

Le?, Minh

Paper Book

From the award-winning and bestselling creators of Drawn Together comes the fantastic tale of a magical elevator that will lift your spirits--and press all the right buttons! Iris loves to push the elevator buttons in her apartment...

The Blur

Le?, Minh.

Paper Book

Meet a child with superhero-like abilities . . . and the parents who are racing to keep up with her in this sweetly funny picture book about the blur of childhood, from the award-winning creators of Drawn Together. A perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones--from graduations...

Night animals need sleep too

Marino, Gianna

Paper Book

Daytime brings a whole new set of problems and adventures to the crew of Night Animals Need Sleep Too! It's daytime and night animals are all sleeping soundly. Well, all except for Possum. Skunk tries to be helpful, pointing out a cave, then a tree, then a den. But the...

Not an alphabet book : the case of the missing cake

McLaughlin, Eoin

Paper Book

Follow Bear from A to Z as he hunts for a cake thief in a hilarious alphabet book crossed with a whodunit. There has been a terrible crime, Bear tells us. Someone has STOLEN a delicious chocolate cake! Bear sets off to find the culprit, questioning characters and...

The roar

McLaughlin, Eoin

Paper Book

There were so many things that Tortoise wanted to do. So many games to play and rocks to climb. Oops. Tortoise was stuck. Tortoise was not happy. Tortoise is not having a good day and now he's stuck in a hole...

People are wild

Meganck, Margaux

Paper Book

An inviting and inventive classic-in-the-making about learning to have compassion for every living thing, gorgeously illustrated by a rising star in the picture book world. Wild creatures come in all shapes and sizes. They can be playful or loud or smelly or curious or cute-just...

One-osaurus, two-osaurus

Norman, Kim

Paper Book

Part counting game, part dinosaur celebration, this energetic romp is a numbers concept book for the ages. One-osaurus, two-osaurus, three-osaurus, four! Look there, in a child's bedroom, where some prehistoric pals are gathered in a counting game. Nine...

Hike

Oswald, Pete

Paper Book

Take to the trails for a celebration of nature -- and a day spent with dad. In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they're going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges,...

Pablo

Rascal

Paper Book

Shhh! Pablo is asleep. This is his last night inside the shell. Tomorrow he'll come out. But he's a little shy so will start with just very small hole. Tap tap! With the little chick Pablo, we discover up and down, forward and back, shapes, the noises and smells of the outside, and...

Blue Bison needs a haircut

Rothman, Scott

Paper Book

Blue Bison tries his best to be patient in this humorous picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald. Blue Bison prides himself on always looking clean and neat. But he has a growing problem--his hair. With the barber shops and just about...

Hugo and the Impossible Thing

Smith, Rene?e Felice

Paper Book

Hugo has one goal - to conquer the Impossible Thing. At the edge of the forest stood the Impossible Thing. All the animals in the forest often wondered what was beyond the Impossible Thing, but since everyone said getting through it would be impossible, no animal ever tried.

Tiny T. Rex and the very dark dark

Stutzman, Jonathan

Paper Book

The adorable and indomitable Tiny T. Rex from the critically acclaimed Tiny T. Rex and The Impossible Hug is back in a tale about friendship and overcoming your fears. Meet Tiny T-Rex! He may be a small dino in a BIG world, but that won't stop him from making...

Bearplane!

Underwood, Deborah

Paper Book

Buckle up for a little bear's first flight in this adorable, light-as-air picture book by New York Times bestselling author Deborah Underwood and critically acclaimed artist Sam Wedelich. Follow a bear cub, their grownup, and their beloved stuffie Teddy as they make their...

Outside In

Underwood, Deborah

Paper Book

A 2020 Caldecott Honor Book From the New York Times best-selling author behind The Quiet Book comes a mindful contemplation on the many ways nature affects our everyday lives, even when we're stuck inside. Five starred reviews!

The pigeon will ride the roller coaster!

Willems, Mo

Paper Book

From #1 New York Times best-selling, award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems! Buckle up for twists, turns, and emotional loop-de-loops in the most roller coaster-y Pigeon book ever! The Pigeon WILL be ready. Will YOU!?

Why not you?

Wilson, Ciara

Paper Book

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . From Grammy-winning pop star Ciara and Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson comes a picture book to inspire young readers to see the value in themselves, be brave, and go after their biggest dreams! Why not you? Amazing you! You're...

Astro girl

Wilson-Max, Ken

Paper Book

The stars are the limit for a little girl who acts out her wish to be an astronaut -- inspired by a very special person. Astrid has loved the stars and space for as long as she can remember. "I want to be an astronaut!" she says to everyone who will listen. While her mama is away...

The year we learned to fly

Woodson, Jacqueline

Paper Book

Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López's highly anticipated companion to their #1 New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin illuminates the power in each of us to face challenges with confidence. On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their...

Off-Limits

Yoon, Helen.

Paper Book

For every child who has ever felt that grown-ups have all the fun, here is a vicarious chance to slip behind the office door--and play with all the tempting things that are off-limits. Dad's office is off-limits--which only makes it more intriguing to his curious young daughter....

Emile and the field

Young, Kevin

Paper Book

In this lyrical picture book from an award-winning poet, a young boy cherishes a neighborhood field throughout the changing seasons. With stunning illustrations and a charming text, this beautiful story celebrates a child's relationship with nature. There was a boy...

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Summer Reading RecommendationsUnpublishedShare

Summer Reading RecommendationsUnpublished