Picture Books for Beginning Readers (Pre K - Grade 1)

Children beginning to read need books that grab their attention and make reading fun. Pick books about topics that interest your child, both fiction and non-fiction are great. Books with simple words, large and clear fonts, rhyming and lots of repetition will help kids begin to recognize words and understand the different sounds that make up language.

Updated May 29, 2025
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Lambton County Library Summer Reading Challenge 2025
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The adventures of Beekle : the unimaginary friend
Santat, Dan.
Paper Book
This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and¿at long last...
Ahoy!
Blackall, Sophie.
Paper Book
Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure...all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from a beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling creator.
Bear snores on
Wilson, Karma
Paper Book
Bear's cave fills with animal friends as he sleeps in this classic book from New York Times bestselling team of Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. In a cave in the woods, in his deep, dark lair, through the long, cold winter sleeps a great brown bear....
Beneath
Doerrfeld, Cori.
Paper Book
In this stunning story from New York Times bestselling creator Cori Doerrfeld, a child and their grandfather take a walk in the woods and discover more about themselves. Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they...
The big book of nature art
Zommer, Yuval.
Paper Book
Featuring twenty-two easy craft projects using natural and recycled materials, The Big Book of Nature Art is a fun and eco way for young children to connect creatively with nature. From bestselling author Yuval Zommer, The Big Book of Nature Art is packed with...
Big truck little island
Van Dusen, Chris.
Paper Book
That big truck is stuck! How will the island residents get where they're going? A tale of community and ingenuity from the celebrated Chris Van Dusen, inspired by a true story. When a big truck and its big load get stuck on a narrow road, traffic on the little island comes to a...
Big words for little paleontologists : the dino dictionary every little explorer needs
Gerry, Lisa.
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...
The book that almost rhymed
Abed Omar.
Paper Book
Every great adventure needs a hero-or two! This playful take on storytelling and equity proves that two tellers can make a rhyming tale twice as nice. What do you do with an interrupting sibling? Especially when she's stepping all over your story with wild ideas that don't...
Built to last
Le, Minh
Paper Book
Meet two friends who think they're building imaginative worlds with blocks but come to realize they've been building something far greater--a sturdy, solid friendship--in this picturebook by award-winning creators. Two kids build entire worlds out of blocks, cardboard, and...
Butt or face? Revenge of the butts
Lavelle, Kari.
Paper Book
Are you ready for round two of the hilarious guessing game picture book? Discover fascinating facts about animals while guessing if you're looking at a butt or a face! Butt or Face? Volume 2 continues the delightfully cheeky challenge with a whole new set of animals from all over the world...
A day for sandcastles
Lawson, JonArno.
Paper Book
A dazzling wordless picture book celebrates creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the sun-splashed wonder of a day at the beach. The creators of the acclaimed Over the Shop evoke a perfect summer beach day--and themes of creativity, cooperation, flexibility, and...
Don't trust cats : life lessons from Chip the dog
Petty, Dev.
Paper Book
Chip the dog from Don't Eat Bees is back, with more "wisdom" to share, including some hard-won life lessons about cats. From the favorite picture book comic duo of Dev Petty and Mike Boldt. Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he's a very good...
Dragones y tacos
Rubin, Adam 1983-
Paper Book
Si quieres ser amigo con un dragón, los tacos son la clave. Todo el mundo sabe que solo hay una cosa que a los dragones les gusta más que las fiestas y los tacos y es una fiesta de tacos. Pero hay algunos detalles que hay que tener en cuenta si das una fiesta de tacos: a los...
Eyes that kiss in the corners
Ho, Joanna.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and #1 Indie Bestseller · A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year · A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021 · Included in NPR's 2021 Books We Love List · Featured in Forbes, Oprah Daily, The Cut, and Book Riot · Golden Poppy Book Award...
Fry bread : a Native American family story
Maillard, Kevin Noble.
Paper Book
Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal An American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner "A wonderful and sweet book . . . Lovely stuff." --The New York Times Book Review Told in lively and powerful verse by...
The Great Lakes : our freshwater treasure
Rosenstock, Barb.
Paper Book
A stunning picture book about the five largest lakes in North America - how they formed, the importance of their abundant freshwater, and how they've become a national treasure - in the latest book from the author of Caldecott Honor book The Noisy Paint Box. A SCHOOL...
Have you seen my invisible dinosaur?
Yoon, Helen.
Paper Book
The creator of Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover), Off-Limits, and I'm a Unicorn brings her original whimsy to the tale of a child's special friend who goes missing after a bath--or does he? Help! This little girl has lost her best friend. He's a dinosaur (not the...
Knight Owl and Early Bird
Denise, Christopher.
Paper Book
A New York Times and Indie Bestseller * In this exciting adventure and follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor award-winning classic, Knight Owl makes an unlikely friend in the over-zealous Early Bird--who wants to be a brave knight,...
Last stop on Market Street
de la Pena, Matt.
Paper Book
#1 New York Times Bestseller A USA Today Bestseller Winner of the Newbery Medal A Caldecott Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Century One of...
The library fish learns to read
Capucilli Alyssa Satin
Paper Book
Library Fish returns in this charming picture book about the unusually literary fish learning to do what everyone around her loves--read! Library Fish is very happy in her bowl on Mr. Hughes the librarian's desk. From there, she listens to story time and watches Mr. Hughes teach...
Little Blue Truck
Schertle, Alice
Paper Book
The original bestselling board book featuring everyone's favorite Little Blue Truck! Beep! Beep! Meet Blue. A muddy country road is no match for this little pick up--that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck. Luckily, Blue has made...
Mindful Mr. Sloth
Paper Book
Sasha has one speed--fast. She loves to do lots of things, all at once, as fast as possible. Mr. Sloth has one speed--slow. He loves to do things one at a time, at a nice, easy pace. Can Mr. Sloth's mindful ways teach Sasha to slow down and enjoy life? Best-selling author Katy Hudson gently weaves a...
Mr. S
Arnaldo, Monica.
Paper Book
Prepare for plenty of giggles as a kindergarten class arrives for their first day of school but can't find their teacher--only a delicious-looking sandwich and the words "Mr. S" scribbled on the chalkboard. Chaos ensues as the kids argue whether the sandwich must be their teacher. A...
Orris and Timble : the beginning
DiCamillo, Kate.
Paper Book
From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl--and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his...
The rough patch
Lies, Brian
Paper Book
A breathtakingly beautiful and luminescent book that is pitch-perfect for anyone of any age who has experienced any type of loss or disappointment, from New York Times-bestselling picture book creator Brian Lies.
Spider in the well
Hannigan, Jess.
Paper Book
This cheeky picture book debut from author-illustrator Jess Hannigan tells the darkly dry and utterly hilarious tale of fibs, cons, and JUSTICE! Perfect for fans of Jon Klassen, Ryan Higgins, and stylized cinema--from Orson Welles to Wes Anderson. Breaking News: Wishing Well...
Swashby and the sea
Ferry, Beth.
Paper Book
★ "An exceptionally satisfying picture book." --Booklist (starred review) ★ "This readaloud is sweetly told as Swashby overcomes his bitter habits to welcome new, friendly, and energetic people into his quiet life." --The Bulletin of the Center for ...
Tomorrow I'll be kind
Hische, Jessica
Paper Book
In a follow-up to Tomorrow I'll Be Brave, award-winning illustrator Jessica Hische brings to life another series of inspirational words and scenes with her lovely hand-lettering and adorable illustrations. This uplifting and positive book encourages kids to promise that tomorrow, they will be...
The tree and the river
Becker, Aaron
Paper Book
A spectacular time-lapse portrait of humankind--and our impact on the natural world--from a Caldecott Honor-winning master of the wordless form In an alternate past--or possible future--a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of...
The umbrella
Ferry, Beth
Paper Book
Where to hide a star
Jeffers, Oliver
Paper Book
World-renowned artist and picture book creator Oliver Jeffers brings to life an endearing story about the magic of friendship--and sharing what brings us joy. Celebrate twenty years of The Boy in this highly anticipated new adventure from the internationally bestselling picture...
The yellow bus
Long, Loren.
Paper Book
An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller A #1 Indie Bestseller Get ready for back-to-school season and hop on board with The Yellow Bus, #1 New York Times bestselling Loren Long's tender and hopeful modern classic about a forgotten...

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