Kindergarten Summer MUST-READ Book List
Let's INSPIRE summer reading! I spent the last month interviewing students, parents, and teachers about what books should make our Summer Must-Read Lists. One response was, "This series required some emergency trips to the library!" I hope that every child feels that excited to rush off to the library to get the next book. If you need some additional summer reading inspiration, check out our annual, 7 Tips to Encourage Reading and Avoid Summer Slide.
Each grade level has a "Must Read" list that includes 9 titles. We chose these books because they are inspiring, diverse, age-appropriate, and most importantly, adored by real kids!
The books chosen for this list are NOT decodable readers meant for a kindergarteners to read independently. These books are meant to build excitement, rich vocabulary, great conversations about plot and characters, language development, connection, and a love for reading! If you would like to find out more about why decodables are important and where to find those, click here.
I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child
Lola is convinced she is far too small for school and comes up with hilarious reasons why she shouldn’t go. Her patient big brother Charlie helps ease her worries by showing her all the exciting things she can learn. This funny and reassuring story is perfect for children feeling nervous about starting school.
If your child enjoys I Am Too Absolutely Small for School, they will likely love the other Charlie and Lola books too! This playful and relatable series follows the adventures of Lola and her big brother Charlie as they navigate childhood challenges with humor, imagination, and heart. You can explore more titles in the series, watch read-aloud videos, and purchase copies using the links below.
Little Kids First Big Book of Science, is an amazing non-fiction picture book that encourages children to ask questions, make predictions, observe their world, and experiment just like a real scientist!
Children will explore topics like animals, space, weather, plants, inventions, and more while learning how scientists observe and ask questions about the world around them. It’s a wonderful choice for curious kindergarteners who love asking “why?” and “how?” If your child enjoys this book, the entire National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books series is worth exploring! They are excellent for building background knowledge, vocabulary, and curiosity while helping children develop a love for nonfiction reading. You can explore additional titles, videos, and book links below.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
A creative young girl sets out to build the “most magnificent thing” she can imagine, but quickly discovers that creating something great takes patience, problem-solving, and perseverance. With the help of her loyal dog, she learns that mistakes, frustration, and trying again are all part of the process. This inspiring story beautifully encourages a growth mindset, resilience, and creativity.
I'm Not Scared, You're Scared by Seth Meyers
I'm Not Scared, You're Scared is a humorous picture book about a bear who insists he is brave while clearly being frightened by all kinds of spooky things in the woods. As he tries to convince readers that they are the scared ones, his exaggerated reactions and funny misunderstandings reveal the opposite. The story uses playful language, expressive illustrations, and dramatic irony to help kids laugh about fears and understand that everyone gets scared sometimes.
How I Met My Monster by Amanda Noll
How I Met My Monster is a funny and imaginative picture book about a boy named Ethan who struggles to sleep because his usual “under-the-bed monster” quits. Monster recruiters then send a series of replacement monsters, but none of them are quite scary enough to do the job. Eventually, Ethan finds the perfect monster match. The story playfully flips the idea of children being afraid of monsters and instead shows monsters working hard to keep kids awake. It’s a fun read-aloud that combines humor, suspense, and creative illustrations.
You Stole My Name by Dennis McGregor
You Stole My Name is the original book in the You Stole My Name series. It is a beautifully illustrated rhyming picture book that explores animals with shared names, such as cat/catfish, tiger/tiger shrimp, and spider/spider monkey. Each pair is introduced through playful poems and vibrant artwork that spark curiosity about language and the natural world. The oversized “children’s coffee-table art book” combines humor, wordplay, and science concepts, making it a popular interactive read-aloud for young children and elementary classrooms.
Carla’s Sandwich by Debbie Herman
Carla's Sandwich is a thoughtful picture book about a girl named Carla who brings unusual sandwiches to school, like cream cheese with pickle-and-potato-chip or hummus with sprouts. Her classmates tease her because her lunches are different from theirs, but Carla confidently embraces her creativity and individuality. Over time, the other children begin to appreciate her unique ideas. The story encourages acceptance, open-mindedness, and celebrating differences while also introducing themes of friendship and self-confidence.
If you love this book, check out its sequel, Carla’s Glasses!
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
The Gruffalo is a clever rhyming picture book about a small mouse who walks through the forest avoiding predators by inventing a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo. To the mouse’s surprise, the Gruffalo turns out to be real. Using quick thinking and confidence, the mouse convinces the Gruffalo that he is the scariest animal in the woods. The story is known for its repetitive pattern, rich vocabulary, engaging rhyme, and themes of bravery and problem-solving, making it a favorite read-aloud for young children.
Remember to Dream, Ebere by Cynthia Erivo
Remember to Dream, Ebere is a heartfelt picture book about a young girl named Ebere who lives in a Nigerian village and dreams of going to school. When her family faces financial hardship, Ebere must help sell goods at the market instead of attending class. Despite the challenges, she holds tightly to her dream of education and a brighter future. The story highlights perseverance, hope, family sacrifice, and the power of education, while also offering readers a glimpse into Nigerian culture and daily life.
Do you have children of other ages?
Check out each grade level's Must-Read List:
Future Kindergartener's Summer Must-Read List
Future First Grader's Summer Must-Read List
Future Second Grader's Summer Must-Read List
Future Third Grader's Summer Must-Read List
Future Fourth Grader's Summer Must-Read List
Future Fifth Grader’s Summer Must-Read List
Middle School Summer Must-Read List
Download our Grade Level Student Must-Read Rating Sheets in the Reading Rev VIP Vault or here.
You can also find our Parent Support Pack & Reading Incentives and Challenges in the Free Resource Library or here.
Let's make summer reading FUN!
Have a great summer! Bri & the RR Team
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