Summer is a wonderful time for children to relax, explore, and make memories, but it is also an important opportunity to continue building reading confidence and literacy skills. The best books for rising first graders are ones that feel fun, engaging, and achievable while helping children grow as readers.
Because children finish kindergarten reading at many different levels, this list includes a variety of books ranging from simple emergent readers to more advanced easy readers and early chapter books. Many are part of a series, making it easy for children to continue reading with characters they already know and love.
One way to help children identify books that are a good fit is by using the five finger test:
- Pick a book and open it to any page.
- Start reading and hold up one finger for every word you don’t know.
- If you get to four or five words, it may not be a good fit right now and should be revisited another time
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BEST BOOKS FOR EMERGENT READERS
Perfect for children who are just beginning to read independently, these books help bridge the gap between decodable readers and longer stories. Featuring supportive illustrations, manageable text, familiar sight words, and engaging storylines, these confidence-building books allow emerging readers to practice new skills while still feeling successful and entertained.
The Adventures of Otto series by David Milgrim, 2002
These delightful books star a robot named Otto. They are full of action and funny illustrations that not only provide clues to the more difficult words in the text, but also make my son laugh out loud.
The simple text is mostly made up of sight words and new vocabulary is added slowly and repeated often. One installment in the series, Go Otto Go (2016) won a Geisel Honor for one of the best easy readers of the year.
See Zip Zap by David Milgrim, 2018
Zip is a little, green alien, who entertains others by making items magically appear. When his brother, Bip, falls asleep watching his show, Zip accidentally zaps a monster into existence with thrilling results.
It is amazing how David Milgrim is able to create an entertaining story with limited text. There are simple sentences that feature sight words, rhymes, repetition, and eye-catching illustrations that provide pictorial clues.
Biscuit (Biscuit Easy Reader series) by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, 1996
It’s almost impossible to resist the charms of the adorable Biscuit! This series may be over twenty years old, but its timeless quality has kept it popular all these years. With simple storylines and easy-to-read text, this is a great series for animal lovers. My own daughter can’t get enough of this darling puppy and has read almost every book in the series!
Flubby Is Not a Good Pet by J.E. Morris, 2019
Flubby is a lovable, lazy cat who prefers to do things her own way. When her owner attempts to teach her tricks, they both discover that there is more to being a good pet than following directions. The simple sentences are perfectly paired with amusing illustrations that skillfully capture Flubby’s comical expressions. Lexile 140
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle; illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka, 2020
This witty book is full of humor and fun and, best of all, perfect for emerging readers! A dog politely disagrees with an unseen narrator about what is occurring in this story with hilarious results! The short sentences are made up of mostly sight words and words that can be sounded out while the brief dialogue and the animated illustrations allow children to practice reading with expression. It was no surprise that this lovable story won the 2021 Geisel Award!
Ty’s Travels Zip, Zoom! by Kelly Starling Lyons; illustrated by Nina Mata, 2020
Ty is a joyful boy with a big imagination. When he receives a new scooter, he can’t wait to ride it in the park. After feeling wobbly and eventually falling, Ty grows frustrated but never gives up. With the support of his family and the encouragement of a new friend, Ty eventually learns to zoom like a race car driver! Kids will love following the resilient and playful Ty.
The Fox series by Corey R. Tabor
This delightful series is full of short simple sentences, charming illustrations, and amusing storylines. Each book stars a mischievous fox and his woodland friends. With its lovable characters and giggle-inducing storylines, this such a fun series for new readers.
Several books in this series have won the Geisel Medal including Fox the Tiger, Fox At Night and Fox Has a Problem.
What This Story Needs Is a Pig In A Wig (series) by Emma J. Virjan, 2015
This book is such a fun and silly way to for children to practice a variety of vowel sounds.
Rhyming words are paired together and there are visual clues to help readers identify new words. This is an amusing story that has a sweet message of friendship and inclusion that makes it a standout in this genre.
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz Windness
I am so impressed with how endearing and thoughtful this simple, but surprisingly powerful story is. Through comical dialogue and full color illustrations, readers follow Worm and Caterpillar as their friendship is tested as Caterpillar changes…a lot! This book is further enhanced with drawing instructions on how to create Worm and Caterpillar as well as a diagram of each of their life cycles. It also won a Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor.
For more Easy Reader suggestions, please check out our list of Books for New Readers and Easy Readers that are ACTUALLY Easy!
BEST BOOKS FOR INDEPENDENT READERS
These engaging books are perfect for children who are beginning to read more confidently on their own. With supportive illustrations, interesting dialogue, approachable chapters, and exciting storylines, these books help newly independent readers build stamina, fluency, and confidence while making reading feel fun and rewarding.
A Fairy Finds Her Song by Bea Jackson, 2025
This enchanting story of a fairy named Lily searching for her special talent is adorned with beautiful illustrations with short concise sentences on each page. This new easy reader series is an extension of the spellbinding picture book Lily’s Dream. Both are perfect for children who love all things magical.
National Geographic Level 1 Easy Reader by Various Authors
The books in the Level 1 series include nonfiction elements such as table of contents, headings, captions, and sometimes diagrams. There are generally one or two sentences to a page and the photographs help to support the
text and give visual clues to better understand more difficult vocabulary. Important words and their definition appear in a breakout box on the page where the words are presented instead of simply in a glossary in the back of the book. This is helpful for new readers, so that they don’t have to turn to the back to find out what new words mean. This reading level also includes a check for understanding in the back and additional fun elements such as jokes are mixed in.
Mr. Monkey (series) by Jeff Mack, 2018
The Mr. Monkey series repeats words often and slowly introduces new vocabulary all while using visual clues from the rich illustrations. While Mr. Monkey can be pretty clumsy and silly at times, he also demonstrates resilience and always tries his best, attributes that I try to reinforce in my own children. The action-packed illustrations are full of physical comedy and had my children laughing out loud.Lexile: 220L / Fountas & Pinnell: I
Should I Share My Ice Cream? (The Elephant and Piggie series) by Mo Willems, 2011
I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t love the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. In this hilarious installment, Gerald has a big decision to make. He is excited to eat his ice cream, but then considers that his best friend, Piggie, might want to share it with him. What ensues is a laugh-out-loud struggle between the benefits of splitting a delicious dessert or keeping it for yourself. Lexile: 260L / Fountas & Pinnell: H
We are Growing (Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series) by Laurie Keller, 2016
This quirky story stars a group of zany blades of grass who each celebrate a unique attribute. This is a fun book filled with clever humor, repeated text, and simple sentences to build literacy skills, and it has a great message of resilience and celebrating everyone’s differences. It is no wonder the book won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for best Easy Reader. Lexile 270
Snail and Worm (series) by Tina Kügler, 2016
Told through three short chapters, readers will delight in the amusing antics of Snail and Worm as they navigate friendship and life as small creatures in a big world. Each story is clever, quirky, and perfect for kids. The characters’ comical facial expressions are not only hilarious, but they also help guide new readers on the tone to use when reading the dialogue. Lexile: 370L
Don’t Worry, Bee Happy (Bumble and Bee series) by Ross Burach, 2019
Three short chapters follow two exuberant bees and their best friend, a grumpy frog, through several comical scenarios. Brightly colored illustrations appear in large graphic-novel-like panels and most of the text is displayed through speech bubbles. Each character has their own colored speech bubble, so it is easy to follow. The animated illustrations paired with the funny dialogue effortlessly lead children to read with expression
The bees’ enthusiasm is perfectly paired against the frog’s impassive stares and comments making this a book that my son wanted to read aloud multiple times. This book is part of the Scholastic Acorn line intended for children ages four to seven and contain an excellent combination of easy-to-read text, color illustrations, and engaging storylines featuring friendship stories, humor, and magic.
Lexile: 350L / Fountas & Pinnell: H
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Fly Guy (series) by Tedd Arnold, 2006
The funny story of a boy named Buzz and his pet fly is a go-to for teachers and librarians for reluctant new readers. There are almost twenty books in this series and my son has enjoyed every one. The stories are usually full of imagination, silly antics, and loyal friendship between a boy and his pet. Lexile: 380L/ Fountas & Pinnell: I
Ling and Ting Not Exactly the Same (series) by Grace Lin
This Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book stars two amiable twin sisters who partake in a variety of adventures in six short chapters. There is an old-fashion charm to these books that is both playful and whimsical. Elements of Chinese culture such as making dumplings and learning to use chopsticks are effortlessly woven in adding to the allure of the stories. Each chapter is only a few pages long, leaving children eager to read Ling and Ting’s next escapade. Lexile: 390L / Fountas & Pinnell: K
Charlie and Mouse (series) by Laurel Snyder; illustrated by Emily Hughes
This heavily illustrated chapter book features two relatable brothers and their everyday adventures. From waking their parents up in the morning to rounding up the neighborhood kids and trying to earn money by selling rocks, these tales are accessible and will resonate with many children. Lexile: 420L/ Fountas & Pinnell: J
If your little reader is ready for more challenging books, check out Best Books for First Graders or Transitional Chapter Books
BEST GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS
Graphic novels can be an incredible tool for helping newly independent readers build confidence and stamina while keeping reading fun and engaging. With supportive illustrations, manageable text, expressive characters, and fast-paced storylines, these entertaining books help young readers feel successful while strengthening comprehension and fluency skills.
The Cozy Home (Bat, Cat & Rat series) by Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague, 2024
A cat, rat, and bat move in a house together in this witty and charming book. With three-and-a-half short chapters, comical dialogue, and expressive illustrations, this new friendship story is perfect for emergent readers.
*While not a traditional graphic novel, this series has large colorful illustrations making it a good choice for graphic novel lovers.
Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton
The cheerful Narwhal and no-nonsense Jelly Fish are two unlikely friends who could not be more adorable. Upon meeting, they each believe the other is imaginary and the comical hijinks continue from there. Both my children enjoyed listening to this series as a read aloud and my son couldn’t wait to start reading these delightful books on his own.
These charming books use a graphic novel format with large panels and dialogue to draw the reader in. There are three short stories in each book that are full of humor that both adults and children will appreciate. As a bonus, there are fun facts about sea creatures in between each chapter. Lexile: 490L
Baloney and Friends (series) by Greg Pizzoli, 2020
Baloney is a pig who can’t wait to star in his very own book. Unfortunately, his friends have decided to crash the story creating humorous results! Greg Pizzoli is well known for his popular picture books and his fans with be thrilled with this quirky new series that is a ton of fun to read. Kids will also be excited to find instructions on how to draw the lovable characters. Lexile: 430L
Grumpy Monkey: Freshly Squeezed by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
Everyone’s favorite Grumpy Monkey is back, this time in a graphic novel adventure! When Jim Panzee opens a lemonade stand hoping to make a fortune, things quickly spiral into chaos in the funniest ways possible. Filled with expressive illustrations and laugh-out-loud humor, this entertaining story is a terrific choice for summer reading.
Reggie Kid Penguin by Jen de Oliveira, 2023
My daughter and I were both giggling at the hilarious antics of Reggie, a spunky penguin with lots of heart. Reggie may be a penguin, but his curiosity, energy, and imagination are reminiscent of so many children I know.
From grumbling over his outfit for picture day to creating a bug village with his friends and working through a power struggle with his cousin, Reggie is a very relatable character. I have no doubt many children and adults will connect with him and his comical stories.
Bug Scouts: Out in the Wild by Mike Lowery, 2022
Filled with wordplay and amusing illustrations, this new series featuring a group of endearing bugs working to collect their badges is tons of fun. With large font and short chapters, this one is perfect for reluctant readers to gain their confidence while falling in love with reading. We can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
You can find more of our FAVORITE GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR AGES 5-8 HERE.
ENGAGING PICTURE BOOKS
Even when children have learned to read on their own, it is still important to read to them.
Reading aloud is not only a wonderful time to bond with your child, but it is an opportunity to share rich vocabulary, model fluency, and introduce books that open their eyes and imaginations to new worlds and books that reflect their own reality.
The below picture books are meant to be read together with a caregiver.
Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
A hilariously paranoid narrator casts fish as the sneaky outlaws of the animal kingdom, questioning their possibly nefarious motives at every turn. This humorous tale will leave readers never looking at fish the same way again.
Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry; illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, 2020
Swashby, a retired captain, prefers to live his life alone with his only friend, the sea. One day his peacefulness is interrupted by an exuberant young girl and her grandmother who move in next door. He tries to convince them to leave him alone with messages in the sand, but when parts of the message are swept away by the ocean, they have an entirely new meaning.
The gorgeous illustrations are perfectly paired with the playful text that provides a whimsical feeling to this sweet tale of intergenerational friendship.
Blackout by John Rocco, 2011
On a hot summer night, a blackout causes a family to abandon their electrical devices and enjoy quality time together. The stunning illustrations playing with light and dark earned John Rocco a Caldecott Honor for this outstanding book.
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read by Manley Curtis, 2016
This book makes me laugh every time I read it. Nick loves books so much that he decides to teach his cats to read as well. While Verne eagerly works with Nick, Stevenson, portrayed as a grumpy gray cat, is quite resistant. The charming illustrations comically capture Stevenson’s initial displeasure and delightfully reveal his true talent. It’s hard to resist this droll story!
The King Penguin by Vanessa Roeder
As a King Penguin, Percival believes that he is meant to rule all the other penguins. Sick of his selfish behavior, the other penguins throw him out of their colony and Percival is forced to find a new flock of followers to reign over with hilarious results. This book is an absolute delight, particularly the play on matching the penguins’ personalities to their classifications.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao (series) by Kat Zhang; illustrated by Charlene Chua, 2019
Amy Wu is one of our favorite new characters! We just adore her exuberant and resilient attitude. In Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao, Amy is determined to make flawless bao like the rest of her family. Even after being disappointed at many failed attempts, she never gives up and finds a solution that allows her to make the perfect bao her own way. There is even a recipe for bao for little chefs to try! Buy It HereBuy It Here
When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B. Deenihan; illustrated by Lorraine Rocha, 2019⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When a little girl receives a lemon tree for her birthday, she is initially disappointed that she didn’t get the robot dog, computer, or remote-control car she was hoping for. The plucky protagonist doesn’t let it get her down, however, and proceeds to make the best of her situation demonstrating resilience and self-reliance.
This outstanding book uses humorous text and illustrations to engage children and then effortlessly weaves in themes of hard work, patience, and community without being overly didactic. It even includes a lemonade recipe to inspire future entrepreneurs!
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall, 2017
Gorgeous illustrations adorn this lovely book on facing your fears. Jabari has just finished his swim lessons and is now ready to tackle the high dive at his local pool. Jabari appears self-assured, but hesitates when it is his turn to climb onto the diving board. Luckily, his wise father is there to give him some sage advice that bolsters his confidence and inspires him to take the plunge!
A Quick Trip to the Store by Sam Wedelich, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
A quick errand spirals into a hilarious, unforgettable adventure in this all too relatable, laugh-out-loud story. In need of bananas, a young girl and her mother reluctantly head to the grocery store. When Mom gets caught up chatting with a friend, the girl takes shopping into her own hands setting off on a comical journey through the aisles.
EDUCATIONAL PICTURE BOOKS
Earth: My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty; illustrated by David Litchfield, 2017
Our family cannot get enough of the ingenious Our Universe series that is as entertaining as it is informative! A cheerful Earth comically shares her favorite activities including spinning around the sun, introduces readers to her best friend moon, and reminisces about her childhood and how she has changed over billions of years. The child-friendly text makes this an excellent choice for reading aloud and getting children excited to learn more about the planet we call home.
Wombats Are Pretty Weird by Abi Cushman, 2023
This amusing story is the perfect combination of information and humor. The engaging format of the book uses expressive illustrations that contain break out boxes and speech bubbles to introduce readers to all kinds of fascinating facts about wombats! My kids could not get enough of this hilarious story and loved learning about other Australian animals featured as well. We all especially appreciated the photographs of real wombats in the back along with a glossary.
Buy It Here
The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons by Natascha Biebow; illustrated by Steven Salerno.
The Crayon Man is the true story of the invention of one of our favorite everyday items, Crayola Crayons! Through hard work and persistence, Edwin Binney found a way to bring the beautiful colors of nature into children’s hands.
Superbly detailed illustrations capture his journey and the informative text is perfect for sharing with a wide age-range of readers. Additional text boxes provide more scientific descriptions of the process and photographs in the back matter show the method of manufacturing crayons today.
Give Bees A Chance by Bethany Barton, 2017
Bethany Barton has discovered the perfect mix of information, humor, and clever illustrations to bring nonfiction books alive to children. Give Bees A Chance skillfully presents interesting facts about bees with a comical dialogue between an unseen narrator and a boy who is terrified of bees.
What Fish Are Saying: Strange Sounds in the Ocean by Kirsten Pendreigh, illustrated by Katie Melrose, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
While the ocean may seem calm and peaceful, beneath the waves a surprising world of sound is constantly traveling through the water. This clever book uses lively rhymes and vibrant illustrations to show how fish and other sea creatures communicate. Complete with fascinating facts at the end, it’s an exceptional choice for curious young readers.
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