Summer is a time for fun and adventures, but it’s also important to keep those young minds sharp! To prevent summer learning loss and get ready for a fantastic new school year, here’s a summer reading list packed with engaging books for kindergarten and grade 1 students.

I’ve included stories that are perfect for those just starting their reading journey, with bright pictures and simple text. There are also delightful picture books that the whole family can enjoy reading together, making for cozy evenings and creating a lifelong love of reading!

Dog vs. Strawberry by Nelly Buchet and Andrea Zull

A dog and a strawberry find themselves nose to stem in this hilarious picture book that’s perfect for dog lovers. An epic battle ensues—who will come out on top?

Welcome to the Greatest Race of All Time!
Give it up for our reigning champion, the one-and-only DOG!
And let’s have a hand for her opponent: the formidable STRAW-BER-RYYYY!

When Dog is handed a strawberry from the fruit bowl, she sizes it up, dances around it, and decides she is going to race the Strawberry–and win. She dashes left, then right, then–oh!– over the couch in an attempt to outrun her opponent. Strawberry doesn’t move, but that doesn’t stop Dog from continuing the race. Eventually, it’s neck-and-neck… until mom walks in to see what the fuss is about, and SPLAT!

Kids everywhere will recognize the rivalry at play here, and will laugh-out-loud at the bright, expressive illustrations and ridiculous scenarios from the award-winning creators of Cat Dog Dog.

Orris and Timble The Beginning by Kate Dicamillo and Carmen Mok

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 solitude is disrupted by a sudden flutter of wings and a loud screech. A small owl has gotten caught in a trap in the barn. Can Orris “make the good and noble choice” (as the king on his prized sardine can might recommend) and rescue the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies? And if he does, will he be ready for the consequences? With humor and tenderness, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo brings us this first of three tales celebrating unlikely friendship and the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing—a soon-to-be classic brought to expressive life by the full-color illustrations of Carmen Mok.

The Magic Cap by Mirelle Messier and Charlotte Parent

Inspired by folktales, writer Mireille Messier and illustrator Charlotte Parent present a heartwarming picture-book story full of vibrant color imagery about devotion and generosity, for all lovers of gnomes and whimsical forest creatures.

Many moons ago, in a tiny, thatched cottage at the edge of the woods, lived two children named Isaura and Arlo with their hedgehog, Crispin. When their beloved pet becomes ill, Isaura suggests that they seek the magical healing power of gnomes. Convinced this will heal Crispin, the children set off into the woods with humble offerings, hoping to attract the gnomes.

The trick does not seem to work, however, and gnomes are nowhere to be seen despite the children’s good intentions. Isaura and Arlo will have to remain hopeful and wish for a magical solution!

Big by Vashti Harrison

Winner of the Caldecott Medal! A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and a New York Times bestseller! This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance, from an award-winning creator.

The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning creator Vashti Harrison traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel invisible at the same time.

Ooko by Esme Shapiro

Ooko has everything a fox could want: a stick, a leaf and a rock. Well, almost everything . . . Ooko wants someone to play with too! The foxes in town always seem to be playing with their two-legged friends, the Debbies. Maybe if he tries to look like the other foxes, one of the Debbies will play with him too. But when Ooko finally finds his very own Debbie, things don’t turn out quite as he had expected!
A quirky, funny, charmingly illustrated story about finding friendship and being true to yourself.

 

Super Pizza & Kid Kale by Phaea Crede and Zach Smith

With great flavor, comes great responsibility.

Super Pizza and Kid Kale have been delicious do-gooders and the best of friends since the day they came aleaf in the oven of the Baker Elementary cafeteria. But as they heroically foil one dastardly deed after another, Super Pizza’s popularity begins to go to their crust, and it leaves their veggie pal feeling rotten. The growing frustration that begins to drive a wedge in their friendship is now threatening to take the students of the school down with them! It’ll be up to Super Pizza and Kid Kale to patch things up so that they can get back to being the heroes that these kids knead.

For fans of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast comes a hilarious and punny new picture book about navigating the ups and downs of friendship and the unintendend consequences that actions can have on others, starring the Batman and Robin of food.

Roy is Not a Dog by Esme Shapiro and Daniel Newell Kaufman

Take a ride down Lilypod Lane with Weasel and Pam Pam as they try to solve a mystery in their neighborhood in this hilariously fetching picture book: could their peculiar neighbor actually be a dog in disguise?

On Lilypod Lane, everyone knows everything about everybody . . . or so they believe! When curious paperboy Weasel encounters his mysterious neighbor Roy on his route, he becomes convinced that Roy is actually a dog! But when his friend Pam Pam disagrees, Weasel must put on his detective cap and do his best sleuthing to reveal Roy’s extraordinary secret, and prove that not everything is as it seems, once and for all!

An endearingly offbeat picture book that celebrates neighbors and neighborhoods, Roy Is Not a Dog delivers laughs and lessons about accepting others for who they are as well as the risks and rewards of showing your true self.

Spider in the Well by Jess Hannigan

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 Broken!

The townspeople of Bad Göodsburg are up in arms. With their beloved well busted, none of their important, generous, kindhearted wishes are coming true! Time to send that good-for-nothing Newsboy to investigate. . . .

 

Club Microbe by Elise Gravel

It’s a germ’s world. We’re just living in it!

In Club Microbe, Elise Gravel teaches young readers that germs live all around us—and even inside of us! Guided by Gravel in this formidable introduction to the fascinating world of microorganisms, we learn that some microbes get a bad rep for making us sick, but that most are helpful creatures that allow us to digest food, make cheese, and even enable snowflakes to form in winter.

In her signature colorful cartoon style, Gravel describes the invisible work of microorganisms that aid in creating our food, producing oxygen, and keeping our planet alive. She gives us a tour of the heroes and the villains of the microbe world, stopping to marvel at their unique names and wondrous shapes.

Following the perennial success of The Mushroom Fan Club and The Bug Club, this latest installment of the hit science-focused collection will deepen readers’ curiosity for all aspects of the natural world. A whimsical primer on the microscopic life that surrounds us, Club Microbe is sure to pique the interest (and imagination!) of any young scientist. Translated by Montana Kane.

The Cool Bean Makes a Splash by Jory John and Pete Oswald

The Cool Bean faces the super slide in this Level Two I Can Read by the #1 New York Times bestselling duo Jory John and Pete Oswald!

It’s a perfect day at the community pool for a swim. The cool beans are the best swimmers in town. Check out how they dive! Look at how they cannonball! Watch how they backflip! YOW!

As for the Cool Bean, the shallow side of the pool is the only side of the pool he treads water on. Until one day, the Cool Bean sees the super slide and finds the courage to finally ride the slide…or does he? Find out in this splashy story about taking chances, trying new things, and leaning on your friends.

The Cool Bean Makes a Splash is a Level Two I Can Read book, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.

Agents of S.U.I.T. From Badger to Worse by John Patrick Green

Everyone knows and loves sewer-surfing super sleuths, Mango and Brash. But they’re not the only dynamite duo on the case. In the second installment of AGENTS OF S.U.I.T., the New York Times bestselling series set in the smash-hit INVESTIGATORS world, the B-TEAM of BONGO and MARSHA leap into action and show us why they’re so un-B-lievably B-loved by three million fans and growing!

That’s right, Bongo and Marsha, the super-spy Badgers, are on the case…and way over-budget. When S.U.I.T. realizes just how much money the Badgers waste with their gadgets and spy vehicles and custom plush toys, they’re sent to Bora Bora to investigate a case…the old-fashioned way. The bees – that’s “bee-ee-ee,” like the insects that run the resort are hiding something under the tropical sands, and Marsha and Bongo are just the bumbling agents to crack this pineapple-flavored caper wide open.

The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy

A delightful introduction and collection of facts about the secret lives of gnomes that will charm and fascinate readers of all ages.

This book is an introduction to the hidden folk called gnomes, who live in a happy place they call The Pocket. Where is The Pocket, you ask?

Well, it’s all around you, all the time.

Gnomes are curious little creatures, and they’re very shy. But after reading this book, you will learn to spot the telltale signs that gnomes are around . . . and maybe even meet one!

Lauren Soloy has been studying gnomes her whole life, and she has created this book to share her knowledge with you. For example, what jobs do gnomes do? Babysitting robin’s eggs, squirrel-tail fluffing, storytelling. Where do they live? In gardens, forests and any place with plants, birds and bugs. What are their names? Hotchi-Mossy, Able Potter, Cob Tiggy and Puckle Swift, to name a few.

With charming details and surprising facts, this celebration of all things gnome will enchant readers of all ages.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo

The first adventure of this New York Times best-selling porcine wonder is available in paperback.

To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she’s a porcine wonder. And to the portly and good-natured Mercy, the Watsons are an excellent source of buttered toast, not to mention that buttery-toasty feeling she gets when she snuggles into bed with them. This is not, however, so good for the Watsons’ bed. BOOM! CRACK! As the bed and its occupants slowly sink through the floor, Mercy escapes in a flash – “to alert the fire department,” her owners assure themselves. But could Mercy possibly have another emergency in mind — like a sudden craving for their neighbors’ sugar cookies? Welcome to the wry and endearing world of Mercy Watson — an ebullient character for early chapter-book readers in a series that’s destined to be a classic.

Rabbit & Bear A Bite in the Night by Julian Gough and Jim Field

Rabbit and Bear must find out who has uprooted not only their favorite trees, but their entire homes in another enchanting tale from creative geniuses Julian Gough and Jim Field.

When Rabbit and Bear discover a new creature in the forest and learn about his plans for “progress,” the comical pair—along with the rest of the forest’s excitable residents—have a thing or two to say about the matter. An endearing lesson on the wise mathematics of friendship, this charming follow-up to Attack of the Snack is a hysterical addition to this beloved series.

Hockey Stories by Meg Braithwaite and Sarah Howden

Six exciting hockey stories in one handy volume

A compilation of six bestselling I Can Read Hockey titles featuring hockey superstars including Wayne Gretzky, Auston Matthews, Jacques Plante and Hayley Wickenheiser, as well as incredible hockey moments like Sidney Crosby’s golden goal. Filled with action-packed illustrations, these Level 2 I Can Read stories are ideal for young hockey fans, future hockey stars and children learning to sound out words and sentences.

 

Good Dog Beach Paws by Cam Higgins

In this sunny twelfth book of the Good Dog series, Bo’s first-ever beach trip comes to a halt when he stumbles upon a lost pup!

Bo is ready to get his paws into the soft sand at the beach! With his human family by his side and the refreshing waves, it’s looking like the ultimate day of fun in the sun. But when a lost pup wanders into Bo’s path, Bo quickly puts a hold on beach time to lend a helping paw.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Good Dog chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

Laugh Out Loud by Rob Elliott

Rob Elliott’s #1 bestselling Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids series will have you in stitches more than ever before with this hilarious all-new collection of Would You Rather jokes!

Would you rather…

Ride on the back of a T-Rex?

or

Fly on the back of a Pterodactyl?

Choose your fun in this hilarious collection of Would You Rather jokes that are sure to keep the whole family laughing. Perfect for young comedians, class clowns, and jokesters of all ages!

Rob Elliott’s bestselling Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids series has sold more than 6 million copies!

Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller

This creatively wacky exploration of the invisible things that make up the human experience encourages readers to look past the visible and connect with the things that are not seen.

If we could put on a pair of magical invisible glasses and see all the feelings, ideas, and other invisible things that populate our world, what would they look like? Could you see an itch? Could you describe hope? From the sound of a dog barking to the rainbow-MAGIC taste of a lollipop, from gratitude to grit, this book will help you meet the many interesting sensations that follow you every day, even if you can’t see them.

Explore the way a sad song can sometimes make you happy and discover that laughs—even fake ones—can multiply faster than you’d imagine. As readers give these unknown forces a name, they’ll also find a gentle invitation to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on the invisible things at work in their own lives.

VIRAL HIT: Drawn from Andy J. Pizza’s original “Invisible Things” posts on Twitter that went viral, with 57,000 likes and 25,000 retweets, this book debuted on the New York Times bestseller list immediately upon its release. Andy’s ongoing Instagram posts continue to receive thousands of likes and shares. It’s clear people are ready to see INVISIBLE THINGS!