Pre-K
The Ultimate Summer Reading List for 3- to 5-Year-Olds — 2018 Edition
by Janssen Bradshaw
This week, the temperatures crossed into triple digits which means it was time to order new swimsuits for everyone and start thinking about summer reading. When I’m tired of applying sunscreen or just need some snuggles inside, a good stack of books is the perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon with your children.
Of course, the key there is “good stack” so we’ve rounded up some of our very favorite new books that you’ll love reading with your children this summer. No sunscreen required!
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After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)
You might think you know the story of Humpty Dumpty — how he fell from a wall and cracked — but this spin on the tale from Caldecott Winner Dan Santat is clever and surprising as you discover what Humpty was doing when he fell and how he moves on after his famous tumble.
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Can I Be Your Dog?
Arfy wants a home SO much. He’s living in a box in an alley and all he wants is a family to love him. Arfy decides that the solution is to write a letter to each person who lives on his street to make his case for why he’d be the best pet ever. For every dog-lover out there, this book is a perfect choice.
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Cycle City
Today is the day of the big bicycle parade but invitations haven’t been delivered to everyone yet, so the Snail Mayor sets out to find everyone. Each page is full of delightful details, plus search-and-find elements that make it the perfect book for a long afternoon, a road trip, or an airplane flight!
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Don’t Blink!
When the sun stays up late, it can be hard for little ones to go to bed, but Don’t Blink might be just the trick you need! As long as you don’t get to end of the book, you never have to go to bed. But there’s a hitch (isn’t there always?). If you blink, you’ll have to turn the page. So just. don’t. blink.
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Don’t Eat That
Bear is hungry. EXTREMELY hungry. But it turns out that finding a snack that’s edible is harder than it looks, even when you have a friend who is willing to help you out. For every parent who has a child who would eat anything or who needs a snack right this second, this book is a laugh a minute, driven by hilarious illustrations and snappy dialogue.
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Friends Stick Together
For littles getting ready to head to school in the fall, summer is the perfect time to gently explore friendship and acceptance before that first day of kindergarten or preschool. In this one, Levi, the new bird in class, annoys Rupert to no end. He’s goofy and embarrassing and Rupert just wishes he would leave. But when he does ... Rupert realizes he might have been too hasty.
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Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
Summer is often full of travel and new adventures and the chance to see the world around you through new eyes. This beautiful book that Jeffers wrote for his new son has been a family favorite for the past few months. Jeffers explores the planet we all share — from the faraway view of Earth in space to the unique perspectives of every person — and how we can make it a better place for everyone.
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How to Be a Big Kid
Little readers know that being a kid can be tough! With so many things to remember, life can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Fortunately, How to Be a Big Kid serves as a comforting reminder of all that they’ve learned along the way, from getting dressed in the morning to being respectful of friends. A perfect book for the preschool set.
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I Got It
Summer isn’t summer without a baseball game — but every child who has ever been sent to the outfield knows that waiting for a fly ball to land takes approximately … forever. This nearly wordless book is full of imagination as the young fielder has all sorts of run-ins with fantasy as he tries to catch the ball.
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I Really Want to See You, Grandma
Who doesn’t love to go see their Grandma? Yumi can’t wait and so she sets off, but it turns out Grandma came to see HER and they passed on the road. And when they return to their homes, they pass AGAIN. How will they ever meet up?
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My Little Golden Book About the Statue of Liberty
Learn all about why and how the Statue of Liberty came to be, who created her, and what she has symbolized over the decades in this small but hugely engaging nonfiction read that feels like a great fit for summer.
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Moon
Moon always has a lot to do from homework to lessons, but one day she decides to follow a friendly wolf into the woods and learns how to play and be wild. This book is ideal for summer when schedules are looser and there is plenty of time for exploring your wolfy ways!
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Part-time Mermaid
My girls are obsessed with the book Part-time Princess, so we were all delighted to see a new version out this spring about a girl who spends her days on land but at night turns into a mermaid ready to explore. I especially love that this series shows strong, capable girls who don’t wait around for rescuing and rescue others instead!
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Wordy Birdy
Wow, does Wordy Birdy love to talk! All day long, this bird’s mouth moves a million miles a minute, but of course she doesn’t want to listen to anyone else. Until her chatty tongue gets her into trouble and it’s up to her extremely patient friends to save her.
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More Great Summer Reads for 3- to 5-Year-Olds
What books are on your family’s reading list for summer? Share with us in the comments below.