The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Kids Ages 3 – 5
by Rosemary D'Urso
Whether it’s basking in the sun on the beach, relaxing in the shade at the playground, or cuddling at home during an afternoon storm, books are the perfect addition to any summer activity! We’ve rounded up 25 stories that will have kids laughing, learning, and begging to read them again and again. With tales celebrating the essence of summer, books about family and friendship, and silly stories to tickle the funny bone, there is something here for everyone.
Break out the sunscreen and lemonade and prepare for a fun summer with these standout stories!
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A Mermaid Girl
Available from:This feel-good story about cultural awareness is a gem. A young girl is thrilled to show off her new burkini at the community pool until she notices it is very different from her friends’ bathing suits. Drawing strength from her Pakistani heritage, she confidently enters the pool, educating her friends and readers on the special Muslim custom of wearing a burkini.
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A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book
Available from:When a narrator announces that a unicorn, dinosaur, and shark are in the best book ever, they are less than impressed. What ensues is a hysterical story packed with funny banter and kid appeal!
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Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better
Available from:Nothing screams summer more than ice cream, and this phenomenal biography about the man who perfected the famous frozen treat is utterly fascinating. Augustus Jackson achieved his dream of cooking for the President of the United States and developed new ice cream flavors that we still enjoy today!
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100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli
Available from:This comical counting adventure cleverly embeds math skills into an engaging story. As dragons leave their mountain home to pursue their eccentric interests, readers count down from 100 until only one dragon remains — who has a big surprise!
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Hattie Harmony Worry Detective
Available from:Detective Hattie Harmony is ready to help her classmates manage their worrisome feelings with several valuable strategies in this reassuring read. The engaging story is helpful to both children and adults in learning how to manage big emotions.
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Donut Feed the Squirrels
Available from:Two best friends cannot resist the sweet temptation of a tasty donut in this humorous graphic novel for new readers. Despite their best efforts, Norma and Belly’s plans to steal a donut from a food truck comically crash and burn with each attempt, creating a rib-tickling story.
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Harmony & Echo: The Mermaid Ballet
Available from:This enchanting under-the-sea tale follows best friends Harmony and Echo, who help each other overcome stage fright during a mermaid ballet. Filled with an adorable storyline and mesmerizing illustrations, this book will make a splash!
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Summer Vacation, Here I Come!
Available from:Packed with playful poems highlighting the joys of summer, this bright and colorful book is a ton of fun. From tasting that first bite of ice cream to building sand castles and splashing in the pool, this compilation skillfully captures the essence of summer.
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Grumpy Monkey
Available from:This New York Times bestselling story handles complex emotions with hilarity and skill. It’s a beautiful day in the jungle, but Jim Panzee wakes up on the wrong side of the tree branch and finds everything irritating, especially his well-meaning friends. This entertaining tale reassures readers that bad moods don’t last forever, and brighter days are right around the corner.
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The Octopus Escapes
Available from:Unhappy with his recent confinement in an aquarium, a clever octopus plans his daring escape back into the wild. With just the right amount of drama for little ones, this entertaining read will have children clamoring to know more about these brilliant creatures.
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Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess
Available from:Luvvie means well, but unfortunately, her big heart can sometimes land her in big trouble — especially when she tries to cook and clean by herself. Full of humor, this heartfelt story will resonate with well-intentioned mischief-makers everywhere!
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There’s a Beach in My Bedroom
Available from:Disappointed that the rain ruined her family’s beach day, Bella turns to her imagination to brighten up the gloomy day. Rock star Kevin Jonas and his wife Danielle weave in themes of resilience and family in this delightful story.
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Every Body: A First Conversation About Bodies
Available from:Simple language and colorful illustrations help children understand all bodies are good bodies in this empowering book. I love this brilliant series that addresses important topics for kids in a clear and impactful way!
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The Colors of Summer
Available from:Flowing rhymes describe a day’s colorful sights at the beach in this inviting Little Golden Book. With warm yellow, red, and turquoise hues, readers will enjoy viewing their favorite colors in the sandy setting.
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How to Talk Like a Bear
Available from:Prepare for giggles while reading this hilarious new interactive book that encourages children to roar like a bear at varying volume levels. Each attempt at bear talk results in funnier and funnier communication that will have both children and adults laughing.
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The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation
Available from:The beloved Berenstain Bears have grand plans for their mountain vacation but are disheartened to find mosquitoes, a messy cabin, and a leaky roof. Their ability to find humor in their misadventure demonstrates why this series is a timeless classic.
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The Math Adventurers: A Day at the Zoo
Available from:Robots Beep and Boots excitedly head to the zoo but must keep a careful watch on the time so they don’t miss feeding their favorite animal. Flowing rhymes help children recognize that math is all around us in this endearing story.
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Farah Loves Mangos
Available from:Farah loves mangos, so she is disappointed when her grandfather’s tree has no fruit this year. This heartfelt story follows Farah as she does all she can to help the tree produce mangos. With a shift in perspective, she realizes there is more to love about the tree than its fruit.
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The Ice Cream Vanishes
Available from:This amusing tale proves kids aren’t the only ones who love ice cream! When a squirrel puts on a magic show to make ice cream disappear, he refuses to share his secret but does share many tasty snacks with his friends.
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Under the Blanket Sky
Available from:Breathtaking illustrations follow a boy through a magical summer spent with a larger-than-life owl. Though the owl must depart in the fall, the boy will always value their special friendship. This is a beautiful tale of love, loss, and moving on while finding comfort in memories.
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NO Is All I Know!
Available from:Negative Oliver McSnow, who only likes to say “No,” is about to have his world rocked. When his cousin Jess introduces him to the word “Yes,” his vocabulary and entire outlook expand. This hilarious story is a must-have for any little naysayer.
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Words of Wonder from Z to A
Available from:National Spelling Bee champion Zaila Avant-garde shares her 26 favorite words, inspiring thoughts, and uplifting quotes in this enriching book. This dazzling story is perfect for inspiring little wordsmiths to create their own definitions of their favorite words.
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Hot Dog
Available from:This feel-good book opens up on a stifling day in a city. An adorable dachshund can’t take the heat for one more minute and demands a vacation. Several joyful spreads feature the dog’s ears blowing in the wind as he and his owner take a ferry to an island where he can roam the beaches. With simple but descriptive language, this carefree story encapsulates the necessity and pleasure of summer vacation.
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I Don’t Want to Read This Book
Available from:This hilarious story is perfect for reluctant readers and book lovers alike! Many children will find a kindred spirit in the unseen narrator, who comically describes his reading challenges. With its engaging illustrations and side-splitting text, this book is irresistible.
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Counting to Bananas
Available from:Counting has never been more fun than in this humorous rhyming book! What starts as a simple introduction to numbers gets turned on its head when an impatient banana disagrees with the narrator’s choices. Readers will laugh so hard at the expressive illustrations and clever rhymes they won’t even notice they are learning to count to 100!
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More Great Summer Reads for 3- to 5-Year-Olds:
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Anansi and the Golden Pot
Also available from: Millions of Maxes
Also available from: Happy Hair
Also available from: The World Belonged to Us
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Good Job, George!
Also available from: The Serious Goose
Also available from: With Lots of Love
Also available from: The Year We Learned to Fly
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I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared
Also available from: Princess Charming
Also available from: There’s a Rock Concert in My Bedroom
Also available from: Uni the Unicorn
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Always With You, Always With Me
Also available from: Roly the Hedgehog
Also available from: Mako and Tiger: Two Not-So-Friendly Sharks
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