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...
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...
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. ...
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
When plans for a ball run a-fowl, Princess Magnolia accepts the help of a valiant new hero to save her secret decorations--and the entire evening! Princess Magnolia is at the Flower Festival prepping for the evening ball when suddenly she hears a commotion. Oh no! She isn...
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,...
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 : an 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
A refreshing source of ideas for creating fine art with children, Art Lab for Kids encourages the artist's own voice, marks, and style.
Children's book of art
Paper Book
Go on an artistic journey around the world in this children's introduction. Discover the power of art and be inspired by cultures from all over the world with this extensive children's guide. This book is the perfect introduction for young readers to the world of art and...
Everywhere beauty is Harlem : the vision of photographer Roy Decarava
Golio, Gary
Paper Book
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year A Kirkus Best Picture Book Biography A Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of 2024 The New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2024 (Top 10...
Mars is : stark slopes, silvery snow, and startling surprises
Slade, Suzanne
Paper Book
Award-winning author and former rocket engineer Suzanne Slade explores the diverse magnificence of Mars in this photo-packed extravaganza, perfect or readers eagerly following NASA's Mars Exploration Program! For centuries, people have been intrigued by Mars, and over time,...
Winged wonders : solving the monarch migration mystery
Pincus, Meeg
Paper Book
2020 Finalist AAAS/Subaru American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru2020 EUREKA Excellence in Nonfiction Awards - HonoreeWinner Best of 2020 Picture Book New Releases - Innovative Nonfiction CategoryThe Original Art 2020 NomineeFor decades, as the monarch butterflies swooped through...
Zia erases the world
Barton, Bree
Paper Book
"Luminous, empowering, and full of heart-healing truths, this is a novel that belongs on every shelf."-Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award winning author For fans of Crenshaw and When You Trap a Tiger comes the extraordinary tale of a headstrong girl and the...
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...
Unstuck
Dee, Barbara
Paper Book
"Both relatable and inspiring...an entertaining and heartfelt read." --Janae Marks, New York Times bestselling author of On Air with Zoe Washington From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a middle grade novel that's "this generation's Dear Mr....
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
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 thishilarious illustrated series! "For any kid who's felt like a...
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...
The swifts : a dictionary of scoundrels
Lincoln, Beth
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestseller! "Knives Out feel by way of Lemony Snicket...This archly told, never muddled debut whodunit reveals a roster of distinct characters, a labyrinthine setting and plot, and a mystery that is as clever as its heroine." - Publishers Weekly...
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...
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...
In and out the window
Yolen, Jane
Paper Book
The largest single anthology of Jane Yolen's poetry, containing more than one hundred poems for all occasions-with fun black-and-white art throughout. Our Kitchen Smells of mornings, blueberry muffins, hot chocolate, tea. ...
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...

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