The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Kids Ages 3 – 5
by Rosemary D'Urso
Summer is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and dive into a great book! This collection offers stories that celebrate nature’s beauty, adventurous outdoor explorations, spending time with family, and characters bravely facing new challenges. Grab these engaging reads and make this a summer filled with imagination!
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Serafina Makes Waves
Buy from:Serafina doesn’t just dislike water; she loathes it. Which is why she is initially horrified when her mother signs her up for swim lessons. After a small catastrophe in the pool, however, Serafina makes a surprising discovery that water isn’t as terrible as she thought. Filled with rich vocabulary and comical illustrations, this charming story is a purrrfect tale to read aloud.
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Nellie’s Big Splash
Buy from:When Nellie, the sea turtle, hatches, she knows she must follow her siblings to the sea but finds the crashing waves terrifying. Readers will root for Nellie as she summons her courage to dive in and discover the beauty of the ocean beyond the waves.
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See You Later
Buy from:Fed up with his mucky swamp, Gary the alligator heads to a nearby human house in search of a life of luxury. As he squeezes through a cat door and struggles up bumpy stairs, the humorous illustrations featuring Gary’s hilariously contorted body and expressive reactions remind readers that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
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Papilio
Buy from:This brilliant collaboration by three talented storytellers is a unique and captivating tale about a caterpillar’s journey through metamorphosis. Told with humor and heart, this book is a must-have for kids eager to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.
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Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Buy from:Learning to ride a bike is a quintessential summer milestone, but mastering it isn’t always easy. This simple yet powerful story about resilience follows a young girl who perseveres through many wobbly, failed attempts until she finally finds her balance and reaches her goal.
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The Octopus Escapes
Buy 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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Broccoli is Trying to Kill Me
Buy from:I dare you not to laugh at this hysterical story about a girl who believes the vegetables in her house are plotting against her. The clever alliterative “attacks,” paired with lively, animated illustrations, make this an outstanding and laugh-out-loud read-aloud choice.
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Fresh Delicious
Buy from:Brimming with mouthwatering imagery, this vibrant collection of 21 poems celebrates the delicious fruits and vegetables often found at a farmer’s market. Colorful, collage-style illustrations and kid-friendly recipes make this delightful book an extra tasty treat for readers.
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At the Cookout
Buy from:This joyful celebration of food, family, and fun follows Cici as she eagerly reconnects with her cousin Chase at their grandmother’s annual summer cookout. Warm and inviting, this smile-inducing story beautifully captures the magic of a family gathering.
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Billie Builds a Robocorn
Buy from:Billie is endlessly resourceful, so when her dad’s new job requires moving to a new town, she takes the challenge of making friends to a new level by literally building one herself. Her invention, a robotic unicorn named Robocorn, leads to plenty of comical chaos. With humor, heart, and a clever STEM twist, there’s a lot to love about this book.
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Sand Cakes
Buy from:Readers are whisked away to the beach in this upbeat tale about a young girl who makes culinary creations from sand. The bubbly rhymes are a joy to read aloud, and the eye-catching illustrations of sandy sweets skillfully capture the carefree charm of a beach day.
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Brave Like a Lion
Buy from:Inspired by Emmy-winning puppeteer Megan Piphus, the first Black woman to perform as a puppeteer on Sesame Street, this uplifting story follows a shy young girl who finds the courage to share her voice with the world through the magic of a puppet. Whimsical illustrations beautifully bring this imaginative and empowering tale to life.
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Jia Has a Dog Problem
Buy from:Jia, a young girl terrified of dogs, and Charlie, a French Bulldog equally frightened of people, happen to live in the same apartment building. Each goes to great lengths to avoid the other until an unexpected encounter brings them together with surprising results. With clever parallels and plenty of humor woven throughout, this story delivers a truly fetching tale of friendship.
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Don’t Trust Fish
Buy from:A paranoid narrator comically questions the possibly nefarious nature of fish, painting them as the outlaws of the animal kingdom. This laugh-out-loud tale will have readers seeing fish in a whole new and utterly ridiculous light. This is o-FISH-ially one of my favorite picture books of the year so far.
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Bright Lights and Summer Nights
Buy from:Get ready to be captivated by this gorgeous bedtime story featuring Mother Moon as she gently lulls her star baby to sleep with dreamy tales of summer nights. This story sets the perfect mood for bedtime with its whimsical rhythm and enchanting imagery.
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Finding My Wave
Buy from:In this inspiring intergenerational story, Mia learns to face her fears and discovers the thrill of surfing. When she and her abuela head to the ocean with their surfboards, Mia feels overwhelmed by the power of the waves. With patience and encouragement, her grandmother helps her find the courage to try again, leading Mia to gain confidence and joy in a new favorite hobby.
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You might also like:
- Books To Keep Kids Entertained During Summer Road Trips
- Feel-Good Picture Books for the Warm Days of Summer
- 6 Reasons To Visit the Library This Summer
- Let’s Go Camping: Picture Books to Spark Outdoor Adventures
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2026.