Summer Early Readers Book List

Summer is a time for swimming, sprinklers, and sunshine, but it’s also a season when many young readers start to lose the momentum they built during the school year. As a mom, I’ve seen how easy it is for new readers to forget the skills they’ve worked so hard to gain, but I’ve also seen how just a few minutes a day with the right kind of books can make all the difference.

That’s what this list is all about. These early reader books are short, simple, and age-appropriate, but they’re also fun. These aren’t phonics primers or leveled readers that feel like schoolwork. These are sweet, silly, adventurous little stories your kids will actually want to read. And they cover a wide range of beginner levels, so whether you’ve got a brand-new reader just starting to sound out words or a more confident early reader ready for simple chapters, you’ll find something here to match their stage.

Browse the Summer Early Reader Books

Click any title below to open a full post with details, what I loved, and more!

Expand for the Full List of Summer Early Reader Book Titles

• Annie & Snowball and the Book Bugs Club – Cynthia Rylant
• Annie & Snowball and the Prettiest House – Cynthia Rylant
• Annie & Snowball and the Surprise Day – Cynthia Rylant
• Beak & Ally: The Big Storm – Norm Feuti
• Biscuit and Friends: A Day at the Aquarium – Alyssa Satin Capucilli
• Biscuit Goes Camping – Alyssa Satin Capucilli
• Biscuit’s First Beach Day – Alyssa Satin Capucilli
• Curious George Roller Coaster – H.A. Rey
• Danny and the Dinosaur and the Sand Castle Contest – Syd Hoff
• Henry & Mudge and the Forever Sea – Cynthia Rylant
• Henry & Mudge and the Starry Night – Cynthia Rylant
• Henry & Mudge and the Wild Wind – Cynthia Rylant
• Henry & Mudge in the Green Time – Cynthia Rylant
• Mr. Putter & Tabby Clear the Decks – Cynthia Rylant
• Mr. Putter & Tabby Drop the Ball – Cynthia Rylant
• Paddington Sets Sail – Michael Bond
• Penny and Her Doll – Kevin Henkes
• Poppleton in Summer – Cynthia Rylant
• Sunflower Summer – Wendy Dunham
• Tiny Tales: Firefly Night – Steph Waldo
• Ty’s Travels: Beach Day – Kelly Starling Lyons
• Vacation – Ame Dyckman
• We Are Growing! – Laurie Keller

I hope this gave you a few fun new options to help your young readers stay confident and excited about reading this summer! If there’s an early reader your kids have loved lately, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Until Next Time,
Happy reading!
—Leah