The days are getting longer, the sun hotter. That’s right: it’s almost summer. That means children will be leaving the classroom behind for a couple months. You may have seen our March post on keeping children reading over Spring Break, and we’ll be back at the beginning of June with more tips on keeping children reading when they’re away from school. Meanwhile, this is the perfect time to prep for the inevitable by checking out some book recommendations for summer reading in part one of our Summer Reading Guide.
Picture Books
Many of these early books are classics that have endured the test of time, so check out these easy reads with your little ones:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
This classic has been around for over 70 years, and it remains a favorite among children everywhere. Rhyme along with the bunny as it learns about saying goodnight, and see for yourself why this book endures.
Harold And The Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Discover a million possibilities with Harold. Fired from his own imagination, Harold draws his own world with a purple crayon, eventually using it to find his way back home.
Corduroy by Don Freeman
When a little girl sees Corduroy, she wants to take him home, but her mother doesn’t think he’s worthwhile. Follow this toy bear as he embarks on a journey through the department store to find the missing button that will make him worthy to have a home.
Chapter Books
The move from picture books to chapter books doesn’t have to be a daunting one. Start easy with these choices, which will challenge your reader without scaring them off from reading altogether:
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
A new arrival in class proves entertaining, when eccentric Gooney Bird Greene arrives, wearing odd outfits and telling outlandish stories. Along the way, her classmates learn how to tell a few stories of their own.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
Sometimes our best friends turn out to be the people we never expect. Ivy and Bean learn this in some of the funniest ways possible.
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
Meet Mercy: pig extraordinaire. When she’s not eating buttered toast, she’s on her way to save her owners from a collapsed bed…but wait, are those sugar cookies?
Bonus: Graphic Novels
Comic books and graphic novels continue to gain popularity, thanks to their artwork and unique storytelling. They can even be a good transition from picture books to more challenging material.
The Only Child by Guo Jing
Hailed by the Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Weekly, this exquisitely-drawn picture book more resembles a graphic novel for small children. Come along as we follow a lost little girl, guided by a stag, who finds herself in another world.
These books are perfect for the children who participate in Education Connection and any other child learning to read. If you’re thirsty for more, we have an entire list to choose from here. Remember, it only takes 15 minutes per day to make a difference!