Nurturing beginning readers is a delicate balance of finding the right books and not applying too much pressure! This summer book list for beginning readers should help you with the first part. Both of my boys love books but they had very different experiences learning to read. My older child spoiled me by learning to read on his own when he was 3, but my youngest at 6 was still working on sounding out words. There are many ways to encourage kids to read without ways to encourage kids to read withoutwithout forcing the issue. (<– click there to read some of them)
I created this book list for beginning readers with summer reading in mind. Our summer reading style is very casual. No book logs, no page requirements, just tons of books scattered all over the apartment to inspire reading any time, any where. This is a great summer reading list for kindergarteners, as well as 1st grade and 2nd graders. (Note: book covers and titles are affiliate links.)
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Books for beginning readers
You Are Not Small. All of Anna Kang’s wonderful books belong on a book list for beginning readers! Whenever my son starts to read aloud a book with me without my begging and pleading, I know I have a winner. This clever and amusing book about comparisons was also this year’s Theodor Seuss Geigel award recipient. It is well suited for back and forth reading, so my son would read one character’s dialogue and I would read the other’s. He loved switching up the parts, and I loved how that got him to keep reading.
Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas! My son loves the TOON books and I love that he is reading a graphic novel that does not involve licensed superhero or Pokemon characters! In the Benjamin Bear books, each page is its own self contained comic so kids can read as much or as little as they wish.
Ling & Ting: Twice as Silly. Grace Lin has a great series for beginning readers. I am always on the hunt for silly, funny books because those are the ones that grab my emerging reader’s attention. He loves to laugh and find the ridiculousness in every situation. As a result, he loves this easy reader about twins.
Good Night, Knight. Betsy Lewin. The “I Like to Read” series is a great addition to any summer book list for beginning readers. We particularly enjoyed this one about a knight and his horse who wear themselves out looking for golden cookies. If this book is a good level for your child, be sure to pick up some of the other books in the series.
The Littlest Leaguer. It’s always nice to have a classic on the list so parents can feel nostalgic while helping their kids learn to read. It’s also much, much longer than contemporary easy readers, although it also has a nice story arc to keep kids’ attention span. I’m still working on getting my son to read longer books so I’m hoping this story about a small boy with big baseball dreams does the trick.
The Watermelon Seed. I confess, I didn’t realize when I read this picture book a year ago that it would make a good book for beginners. The story draws upon the age-old facetious warning that if you swallow a seed, it will grow inside your tummy. Of course, any story about watermelon is perfect for summer reading!
Ah Ha! is an interesting challenge for new readers. The text uses only the letters “h” and “a”. Kids will have to really focus on decoding the sounds without relying on familiar words. Jeff Mack has some great titles I could also add to this book list for beginning readers, so be sure to check the shelves for more of his books!
Brownie & Pearl Step Out is a cute series by the author of Henry and Mudge, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, (both of which your new readers should also read!). Brownie and her cat, Pearl, have uncomplicated, friendly adventures around town and at home. Pick up any or all of the books in the series.
Bink and Gollie: Two for One is the second book in the much beloved series, and it is also one parents will enjoy reading aloud, or listening to as their kid sounds out words. In this installment, Bink and Gollie visit the fair where, among other things, Bink tries to win the world’s largest donut! (yum)
Squirrel’s World, a fun story about a squirrel who tries to help all his friends has short chapters so beginning readers can take a break if they need to. I’m a big fan of Valeri Gorbachev’s illustrations.
Ollie the Stomper. Dunrea’s books about geese Ollie, Gossie and Gerdie were originally board books, but they translate well to simple readers. My son loves the silly antics of Ollie and his friends.
Kirsten Larson says
What a great list for my soon-to-be 1st grader. We also love Tedd Arnold’s FLY GUY series, and Elephant and Piggie of course.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Those are great series, too! I’m glad you gave them a shout out!
Maggi Idzikowski says
In addition to the fantastic Okay, Andy!, this year in our reading for the Cybils Easy Reader category, I was impressed with both the Clara and Clem and the Steve and Wessley series. (But really, Okay, Andy! is wonderful.)
Erica MomandKiddo says
I really want to read Okay, Andy! I wasn’t able to get a copy in time to make this list but I hope to read it soon. Thanks for the recommendations.
:Donna says
You picked some GREAT books here, Erica 🙂 Love that Kate DiCamillo is among them, too 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Donna!
birthe says
I love all your resommendations! My 5 year old daughter loves the newer Amelia Bedelia I can Read series as well as Pete The Cat. And everything by Mo Willems is a must in our house, too.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you! Those are great suggestions, too.
Emma says
I haven’t read any of these but I will definitely check them out. The books I’ve found at the library as recommended for beginning readers are so boring that my daughter isn’t interested at all – NOT the way to get kids turned on to reading!
Theresa says
Thank you for all of your great lists but these early reader lists are giving my son the motivation be needs to take the leap. He uses Bob books at school but has been reluctant to read them with me. I picked up You are (Not) Small and just gave it to him to LOOK at on the way to the zoo. Guess what? He read it out loud from his car seat – first book ever! I really appreciate the time you take to share your successes!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Theresa, thank you so much for taking the time to tell me that!!!! I adore hearing stories like this. You have totally made my weekend!
Tree says
Thank you for these wonderful lists! My daughter is 4, and she has always loved our reading time together. She’s started “reading” to us (or her stuffed animals) by opening pages and either making up stories or reciting what she remembers. She surprised me last month by patiently listening to a long section of what I was reading (Anne of Green Gables – with long, beautiful descriptions that don’t have any action). I want to get some early readers into rotation to encourage her further exploration into reading. It’s all so exciting! 🙂
Erica says
Wonderful! Happy reading!
Chris says
I too have a young reader who is developing at his own pace, so I decided to start my own website specifically for emergent and very early beginning readers. I have been searching extensively for quality beginning readers with decent plots and/ or a good use of humor. Thanks you for your post. There are a couple on your list I haven’t seen yet! If you’d like to check out my website, I’ll include it below! Chris