Ease the transition between preschool and kindergarten by spending lots of time bonding with your rising kindergarteners while reading the books on this kindergarten summer reading list!
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Instead of the typical alphabet and number books, this summer reading list focuses on wordplay! Rising kindergarteners will love listing to rhymes, nonsense language, mixed-languages, puns, vocabulary and all around silly word play.
MORE: Don't forget to visit all our summer reading lists sorted by age and grade!
Wildspeak by Sangma Francis, illustrated by Lexi Vangsnes
This gorgeously illustrated book takes kids on a journey through natural environments like meadows, beaches, waterways, and forests. In addition to labeling natural phenomena like "eddies," "rockweed" and "crested dogs-tail", the children use their own imaginative vocabulary by inventing compound words that express both the visual and emotional effect of nature. Your kids will love hearing "sunglitter," "rocklisten," and "beachcrackle," among others and will be inspired to create their own words!
More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean by Roz MacLean
A knowledge of vocabulary can help kids learn how to express their emotions and understand the feelings of others. In this sensitively written picture book, Nathan listens to his friends as they communicate how they feel. Nathan, however, doesn't say much but his classmates still find ways to understand and respond to his actions. I highly recommend this book as a jumping off point to talk to your kids about the different ways people harnesses language to express their inner thoughts and emotions.
Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! by Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera
Puns can be a sophisticated type of word play for a 5-year-old, yet this book is so much fun and just right for that age. A young zombie loves veggies and wants to get his parents to understand, even though zombies are not supposed enjoy a garden's bounty. His plan to get his parents to enjoy greens doesn't work out but they accept him for who he is. Sprinkled with Spanish words (easy to understand in context for non-Spanish speakers) add an extra layer of language and word play fun to this hilarious picture book. Also available in Spanish as Los Zombis No Comen Verduras!
Nothing Rhymes with Orange by Adam Rex
It doesn't seem fair, does it? I mean all the other fruits have lots of rhyming words, but Orange is left out of the fun! Here's another silly take on the pleasures of rhyme and your kids won't be able to resist trying so very, very hard to think of a word that rhymes with orange. And in among the word play silliness, there is a touching story about Apple looking out for his friend, Orange.
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley
Can we all remember the viral video of a grandmother who couldn't read this book without collapsing in a fit of giggles? Do you dare try to read it with a straight face? The rhyming text about a spunky, hanky-panky, cranky, stinky, dinky, lanky, honky-tonky, winky wonky donkey will certainly test your mettle.
All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
This is a timeless (and timely) book that reassures students that school is a safe and welcoming environment for children of all backgrounds, religions and identities. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations are wonderfully cheerful and the positive message will strike a chord with everyone. A welcome addition to any school library and perfect for soon-to-be kindergarteners!
MORE: Back to school picture books
One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
My son and I adored the rhythmic text of this book. A snake lies in wait for it’s next meal, gobbling up creatures as they cross his path. Little does he know that his meals and snacks are planning their escape from his stomach! Lots of fun and great for all ages.
MORE: Make a Summer Word Jar to teach your kids vocabulary
Underwear! by Jenn Harney
Honestly, what kid doesn't like a hilarious, rhyming book about underwear? Even though this read aloud is aimed at preschoolers to 6 year olds, my 10 year old could not resist. When I said, "Come over here I want to read this book," he answered, "No! I'm not listening to a book about underwear!" I responded that I was going to read it aloud anyway. Of course I put my all into it and he was over quick as a flash and had to examine all the pictures! Read this one aloud, you won't be sorry!
Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith
Sticker, a bizarre little creature with big eyes and sticks growing from his body shares his enthusiasm for the world with his friend, Crow. Stickler uses a plethora of adjectives to emphasize his feelings and describe the things he loves. Words dance across the page as Stickler encourages the reader to find joy and wonder in everything around him, including sticks!
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade
I love this book so much and have recommended it several times, so it's not just for summer reading! After a mom puts her baby to sleep in a hammock she has to hush the sounds around her. Author Minfong Ho writes each animal's onomatopoetic sound and I like that they are unusual to English speakers. For example, the lizard says "tuk-ghaa", the pig says, "uut-uut." The gentle, rhythmic text creates such a lovely lullaby.
Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
Du Iz Tak? is a whimsical and unique picture book, great for summer reading when you have lots of time to explore its meaning. The story revolves around the discovery of a sprout and its subsequent colonization by a group of curious and inventive insects. However, Ellis’s characters communicate with an invented language. At first I was skeptical, but the words are so incredibly fun to say and it is so well done that the meaning is clear, and by the end of the book, the reader actually believes he can speak this new language.
MORE: Picture Books to Instill a Love of Language and Vocabulary
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
Cattle herdsman, Ki-pat, recognizes the dire need for rain and pierces a cloud with his arrow to unleash the storms. Told as a repetitive, rhythmic, cumulative tale (think: This is the House that Jack Built), the story emphasizes the dependence of humans on the natural world. You will definitely want to read this one to your rising kindergartener when a summer storm hits!
Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee
This fun family tale, told in bouncy rhyme, relates the enjoyment a young girl experiences when making her favorite dish. By the way, "bee-bim bop" translates as "mix-mix rice," which is almost as awesome a name. And of course you will want to make the traditional Korean dish with your own kids when you are done–which you can do since the book includes a recipe!
Froodle by Antoinette Portis
The first time we read this story my then-5 year old could not stop laughing! He wanted the book again and again. I think he liked it so much because he could identify with the desire to be silly and different from everyone else. All the birds in the neighborhood have their own sounds, they are well regulated and everyone knows his role. Then one day the Little Brown Bird decides not to make his regular peeping sound. One by one the birds discover the glory of trying something new, even—at last—the stubborn crow.
Take a Hike Miles and Spike by Ethan Long & Travis Foster
I thought this picture book was great fun to read aloud. Miles and Spike go on an outdoor adventure and rhyme their way through the wilderness. Super silly, hilarious and with a good message about learning to get along with others.
Need more books for your kindergarten summer reading list?
- For learning fun try our big gigantic list of not-boring alphabet books.
- Summer picture books to read aloud
Megan Lacera says
Wonderful, diverse list! Thank you for including Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! Happy reading.
Amber A says
Love this list! Put all on hold at the local library!
Norah says
I love Du Iz Tak! And Bi Bim Bop is pure rhythmical delight. Thanks for the other recommendations - I look forward to checking them out.
Erica says
Happy reading!