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As the school year comes to a close, and kids are enjoying time away from the classroom, remember to encourage them to open up a book or two during the break. Summer reading can help kids hold on to the progress they made during the school year. READING is also a fun & easy form of SELF-CARE that offers mental stimulation, boosts empathy, and provides a sense of accomplishment. Fuel a lifelong love of books! Here are some adventures you can find at your local library, or purchase through locally owned bookstores or online to add to your own collection!
Up to Age 8
The Gruffalo – by Julia Donaldson. A mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox, then an owl, and then a snake. The mouse is good enough to eat but smart enough to know this, so he invents . . . the gruffalo! As Mouse explains, the gruffalo is a creature with terrible claws, and terrible tusks in its terrible jaws, and knobbly knees and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its nose. But Mouse has no worry to show. After all, there’s no such thing as a gruffalo. . . .is there?
The Rainbow Fish – by Marcus Pfister. The rainbow fish with its iridescent scales is the most beautiful fish in the whole ocean. But since he is also vain and proud, he becomes more and more lonely over time. Then he realizes that you can’t win friends through beauty. He overcomes his pride and begins to distribute his glitter scales to the other fish.
It Must Have Been You - by Zanib Mian. A rhyming picture book that follows a little girl who unintentionally makes a mess everywhere she goes. The story highlights her innocent actions leading to chaos and how her family members initially react with accusations before she ultimately fixes the mess.
My Mouth Is A Volcano: A Picture Book About Interrupting - by Julia Cook. My Mouth Is A Volcano takes an empathetic approach to the habit of interrupting and teaches children a witty technique to help them manage their rambunctious thoughts and words. Told from Louis' perspective, this story provides parents, teachers, and counselors with an entertaining way to teach children the value of respecting others by listening and waiting for their turn to speak.
The Day You Begin – by Jacqueline Woodson. National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.
When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left – by Marc Colagiovanni. Told through creative language play, and with depth and whimsy, this picture book reminds readers of their own agency and the power they have to direct their own path. Marc Colagiovanni’s lyrical text and Peter H. Reynolds's stunning art create an enduring message of strength and perseverance that is both universal and personal, and one that readers will be drawn to over and over again.
Where the Wild Things Are – by Maurice Sendak. Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. A must for every child's bookshelf. This iconic story has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. When Max dresses in his wolf suit and causes havoc in the house, his mother sends him to bed. From there, Max sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who name him king and share a wild rumpus with him. But then from far away across the world, Max smells good things to eat...
Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story – by Reem Faruqi. Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home, and missing her old friends. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t join them in the lunchroom. Lailah solves her problem with help from the school librarian and her teacher and in doing so learns that she can make new friends who respect her beliefs. This gentle, moving story from first-time author Reem Faruqi comes to life in Lea Lyon’s vibrant illustrations. Lyon uses decorative arabesque borders on intermittent spreads to contrast the ordered patterns of Islamic observances with the unbounded rhythms of American school days.
My Magical Choices - Teach Kids to Choose a Great Day with their Choices! – by Becky Cummings. No more, "I can't, I don't know, or I'm not!" My Magical Choices presents 13 "I choose" statements that empower children to take responsibility for their days and inspire them to use conscious language and choose to be calm, forgiving, brave, honest, friendly, and much more.
Same, Same But Different – by Jenny Sue Kostecki. Through an inviting point of view and colorful, vivid illustrations, this story shows how two boys living oceans apart can be the best of friends.
Listen, Learn, and Grow: A Whole Body Listening Larry Story to Help Kids Regulate, Listen, and Engage – by McAlister Greiner Huynh. Listen, Learn, and Grow is a delightful rhyming story that explores the many ways kids can use their whole body as a listening tool. And here’s a hint: Listening looks different for everyone!
How to Catch a Dinosaur – by Adam Wallace. Do dinosaurs still walk among us? Sure, no one has seen one, but if alligators, whales, and even birds still exist, then dinosaurs must too, right? Join the daring How to Catch Kids as they try to wrangle a dinosaur in time for the school science fair and prove they're still around! Parents, young readers, dinosaur lovers, and educators alike will roar with laughter in this dinosaur picture book that blends STEAM concepts with hilarity and clever chaos. Do YOU have what it takes to pluck a prehistoric pal? Perfect for kids ages 4-10, this fun story makes a great birthday and back to school gift, stocking and basket stuffer, or read aloud for any occasion!
I Am Stronger Than Anger: Picture Book About Anger Management And Dealing With Kids Emotions And Feelings (Preschool Feelings Book, Self-Regulation Skills) (World of Kids Emotions) – by Elizabeth Cole. When children are angry, they can manifest their anger through bad behavior. They might shout, cry, throw things and roll on the floor or all of these things combined. That's why most parents need help managing their kids’ emotions and feelings.
Kindness is my Superpower: A children's Book About Empathy, Kindness and Compassion – by Alicia Ortego. This charming story with peaceful rhymes and colorful illustrations will explain to your child that it is okay to make a mistake and say I’m sorry. Lucas will teach your child good manners and positive behavior at home, at school, in the store, and on the playground.
Honesty Makes Me Stronger: Social Emotional Book for Kids About Lying, Telling the Truth, and Building Trust for Children Ages 3-8 (World of Kids Emotions) – by Elizabeth Cole. This inspiring kids’ book about telling the truth follows Little Nick as he learns the consequences of telling even small lies. This engaging and highly relatable story offers a way to teach children about building trust and the importance of being honest.
The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes: A Growth Mindset Book for Kids to Boost Confidence, Self-Esteem and Resilience (A Million Mistakes Series) – by Brenda Li. A powerful, award-winning growth mindset book that builds resilience in children and prepares them for life's adversities. Kids will feel strong, confident, and ready to pursue their biggest dreams! Includes effective mindful, positive affirmations to build self-esteem and self-confidence: "I can do this. I am strong. I am unstoppable."
Grumpy Monkey – by Suzanne Lang. Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can't understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it's SUCH a beautiful day? They have lots of suggestions for how to make him feel better. But Jim can't take all the advice...and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy? Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson on emotional literacy, demonstrating to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings.
The Day the Crayons Quit – by Drew Daywalt. Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Blue crayon needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. Black crayon wants to be used for more than just outlining. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?