2026 TD Summer Reading Books for Younger Children

Updated March 13, 2026
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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.
Don't trust fish
Sharpson, Neil
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * An absurdly laugh-out-loud funny picture book about the villainy of fish, illustrated by National Book Award-winning creator Dan Santat "A ribald and uproarious warning to those unschooled in fishy goings-on." --Kirkus, starred review ONE OF...
My book of frogs and toads
Valério, Geraldo
Paper Book
Leap into this stunning exploration of frogs and toads from around the world! A companion to My Book of Butterflies and My Book of Birds. When Geraldo Valério was growing up in Brazil, he learned that the tiny creatures he saw swimming in a puddle by the river weren't fish, but tadpoles...
Sunken ship
Hevron, Amy
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection Discover the tiny, fascinating world of sunken-ship reefs in this latest book in an illuminating nonfiction picture book series that explores how even the smallest habitats play big roles in nature. Long ago, a grand...
What about an octopus? : a fact-filled underwater adventure
Kerbel, Deborah
Paper Book
On a visit to the ocean, a curious little girl goes searching for a seashell and meets a new eight-armed friend While at the ocean, a curious young girl goes searching for a seashell and finds an octopus friend instead. The encounter turns into an afternoon full of play and discovery. From...
Chip gets swimmer shivers
Frost, Maddie
Paper Book
Chip, the little penguin, tries to get out of swim lessons in this hilarious Level Two I Can Read Comic by Maddie Frost. Chip is starting swim school and he really isn't looking forward to it. Join Chip as he navigates this first-time experience with imagination and...
Fish and Crab
Coppo, Marianna
Paper Book
A humorous and clever picture book about the importance of sharing big feelings with someone you trust. Fish and Crab are best friends, always there for each other. When it's time for bed, Crab is ready to go to sleep, but Fish is still wide awake, wondering: What...
I need pants!
Sweet, Susan D.
Paper Book
A determined, fashion-forward fish sets an example in staying true to your wildest wishes Fish wishes for pants. But Octopus is quick to point out that Fish can'twear pants ... because fish don't have legs. When Fish runs through a long list of different wishes--fuzzy bunny slippers, a...
The jellyfish bus
Lee, Suhyeon (Illustrator)
Paper Book
A slow-moving jellyfish finds his groove transporting deep sea tourists in this story about the power of community Slowpoke the jellyfish bus loves his job transporting fellow sea creatures, but he struggles to keep up with demands for faster travel. After he's called into headquarters and...
Kwesi and Nana Ruby learn to swim
Commeh, Kobina
Paper Book
A 2026 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book A 2026 Children's Africana Book Awards Best Picture Book Winner ★ "A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others" - School Library...
Narwhal's sweet tooth
Clanton, Ben
Paper Book
"The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad." --Dav Pilkey, bestselling creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants The funny and adorable New York Times bestselling kids graphic novel series starring happy-go-lucky, waffle-loving Narwhal and somewhat cynical sidekick,...

Also available in eBook format.

No huddles for Heloise
Kerbel, Deborah
Paper Book
Heloise likes a lot of things: sledding, giving rocks to her friends, and eating fish popsicles. She does NOT like certain things, like crowds, close-talkers and huddles. The problem is, huddles are a big part of being a penguin. Everyone gathers together to keep warm and stay safe from...
The ocean calls : a haenyeo mermaid story
Cho, Tina M.
Paper Book
A breathtaking picture book featuring a Korean girl and her haenyeo (free diving) grandmother about intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with our natural world. Dayeon wants to be a haenyeo just like Grandma. The haenyeo dive off the coast...
Ocean meets sky
Fan, Terry
Paper Book
"Young readers will be captivated." --The Washington Post From the creators of the gorgeous bestseller The Night Gardener comes a stunning new picture book about a young boy who sets sail to find a place his grandfather told him about...the spot where the ocean...
Red canoe shows up at two!
Allenby, Victoria
Paper Book
"Eye-catching images help kids master time and colors....Useful and attractive introductions to several important concepts." --Kirkus Reviews I spent the day On the dock And who zoomed up At six o'clock? A purple speedboat. A day on the...
The song that called them home
Robertson, David
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of On the Trapline comes a cinematic fantasy-adventure story inspired by Indigenous legends. One summer day, Lauren and her little brother, James, go on a trip to the land with their Moshom (grandfather). After they've arrived, the children...
Le chant vers la maison
Robertson, David
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of On the Trapline comes a cinematic fantasy-adventure story inspired by Indigenous legends. One summer day, Lauren and her little brother, James, go on a trip to the land with their Moshom (grandfather). After they've arrived, the children...
Spinosaurus makes a splash
Bedia, Elizabeth Gilbert
Paper Book
Embark on a prehistoric journey with this picture book series teaching children incredible facts about dinosaurs. Introducing A Dinosaur's Day: Spinosaurus Makes a Splash - a storytime adventure that teaches kids aged 3-6 exciting dinosaur facts. Packed with...
Together, a forest : drawing connections between nature's diversity and our own
MacLean, Roz
Paper Book
"An affirming and introspective look at how differences are natural and vital in creating a thriving community." --Booklist, starred review Explore a forest with a curious classroom in this breathtaking new picture book by the author of the beloved More Than Words...
When you can swim
Wong, Jack
Paper Book
Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award Winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award A reverent celebration of learning to swim among a diverse cast of children and families who each experience the mysterious joys of water in nature...

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