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Summer Reading

Summer Reading for Grades K – 2

Summer Reading for Students Entering Kindergarten
Summer Reading for Children Entering 1st Grade
Summer Reading for Children Entering 2nd Grade
101 Picture Books to Read This Summer

 

Welcome! I’m Rosie and I’m excited to help you discover the best books for children.

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Anyone else working on their holiday shopping this Anyone else working on their holiday shopping this week? If you plan on gifting any special stories, I’ve got you covered! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Visit LIBRARYMOM.COM (link in bio) to check out my HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES: 💙Best Books to Give Teachers 💛Holiday Gift Guide for Ages 5 and up ❤️Holiday Gift Guide for Ages 3 – 5 💚New Holiday Books for 2020 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Zoom in! Spot any favorites in the piles? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do your children become attached to toys or clothi Do your children become attached to toys or clothing? My five-year-old daughter will still not let me donate her favorite pajamas, which are two sizes too small! It can be tough to part with a beloved item, but RED SHOES teaches children that articles of clothing or toys can go on to bring joy to others. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Malika relishes the new pair of red shoes she receives from her grandmother. After forming several special memories with them, they eventually grow too small and she gives them away. The shoes are acquired by a woman who travels to Africa and shares the shoes with another young girl as a gift. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My children often feel attached to their toys and even when they are too old for them, they have trouble saying good-bye. This story has helped us start a conversation on the importance of sharing our gently loved toys and clothing with others when we’ve outgrown them. I especially love how the vibrant colors of the story match the characters’ excitement for the shoes, providing a better understanding of the impact of parting with a cherished item so that it can be loved by others. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss RED SHOES by Karen English; illustrated by Ebony Gleen @artsyebby; published by Scholastic Inc @scholasticinc, 2020
It’s Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. and I’ It’s Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. and I’m feeling a little nostalgic about a few of my favorite read alouds this time of year. When I was a school librarian, I loved wearing funny hats and costumes when sharing stories with my students. I’m not sure my kids appreciate my silly hats as much as my students, but at least they love the books as much as I do! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Here are our three favorite Thanksgiving read alouds: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❤️BEAR SAYS THANKS by @karmawilsonbooks; illustrated by Jane Chapman; published by @simonkids. - With its rolling rhymes and charming illustrations, this delightful series is one of my all-time favorites. The fall edition stars Bear and his woodland friends who come together for a pot-luck feast. Bear fears he has nothing to offer until his sweet friends remind him of the entertaining stories he shares. The effortless rhymes make this endearing book a joy to read aloud! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💛BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY’S PARADE by @melissasweetillustrator and @hmhkids - I love watching children’s eyes light up when they learn about Tony Sarg, the man who invented the giant balloons seen every year in the Macy’s Day Parade. The incredible collage-style illustrations capture Tony’s creativity and enlighten readers on the origin of a beloved Thanksgiving tradition. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🧡THANK YOU SARAH: THE WOMAN WHO SAVED THANKSGIVING by @halseanderson ; illustrated by Matt Faulkner; published by @simonkids – Attention-grabbing text entertains readers while informing them about the remarkable Sarah Hale who was America’s first female magazine editor, composed the song “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, raised five children, and is the reason why Thanksgiving is a national holiday. Discover her incredible and inspiring story in this phenomenal tale. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are your favorite stories this time of year? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This time of year gets so busy, which is why I wan This time of year gets so busy, which is why I want to share a friendly reminder that this is the BEST time to put those holiday books on hold at your library! If you wait until after Thanksgiving, they may already be checked out. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Since the plethora of holiday books can be overwhelming, I’ve created a few lists to help you find the best of the best. Visit LIBRARYMOM.COM (link in bio) for my list of: ❤️NEW BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS 2020 💚BEST CHRISTMAS BOOKS ❤️CHRISTMAS BOOKS FOR ROUGH AND TOUGH KIDS 💙HANUKKAH BOOKS 💛HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What’s your favorite holiday book? Spot any that you love here? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’m so excited to find another great book that i I’m so excited to find another great book that introduces adjectives and descriptive writing! Throw in an adorable dinosaur and a message about being yourself and you’ve got one terrific read aloud! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thesaurus loves sharing words with his friends, but he keeps his passion for books to himself. Dinosaurs simply don’t read and he fears the other dinos won’t accept him if they know his beloved hobby. When his secret is discovered, he is surprised that his friends love hearing him read aloud and beg him to share more stories with them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With its cheerful illustrations and delightful demonstration of the transformative power of books, readers will treasure, cherish, and adore this story! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss THESAURUS HAS A SECRET by Anya Glazer @anya_glazer; published by Katherine Tegen Books @katherinetegenbooks, 2020. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @harperkids for sharing this special story with our family in exchange for an honest review. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Even though my children are now eight and five, I Even though my children are now eight and five, I remember those toddler days like they were yesterday. The frustrations and oh the tears (from both me and my children!) I could have really used the TERRIFIC TODDLER series back then. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This series addresses every-day issues toddlers and parents face including separation anxiety, sharing, and getting a boo-boo. The three newest books that were just released yesterday focus on the arrival of a new sibling, potty training, and transitioning to a different activity. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The child-friendly language is straight forward and the small size of the books are perfect for little hands. Best of all there is a carefully researched note to parents and caregivers with concrete language to use with children to help them through these daily dramas! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss THE TERRIFIC TODDLER SERIES by Carol Zeavin @czeavin and Rhona Silverbush @rhonasilverbush; illustrated by Jon Davis; published by Magination Press @maginationpress. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to the publisher for sharing these books with me in exchange for an honest review.
This imaginative story not only introduces childre This imaginative story not only introduces children to William Shakespeare, but is also sure to inspire budding wordsmiths! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One morning, William opened his window to find a myriad of words floating around him. He pursues them through the cobblestone streets of his old English town and into the surrounding forest. The lively illustrations include stylized quotes from Shakespeare’s plays introducing children to a wealth of new vocabulary. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ An author’s note informs readers that Shakespeare created over 1,000 of our everyday words and phrases. After reading this book, I immediately thought that it could prompt a writing activity where children create their own “flibbertigibbety words” and define them with an illustration. It could also incite a discussion on where writers gain inspiration for their stories. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss FLIBBERTIGIBBETY WORDS: YOUNG SHAKESPEARE CHASES INSPIRATION by Donna Guthrie @donnawguthrie; illustrated by Asa Gilland @asagilland; published by Page Street Kids @pagestreetkids, 2020 A big thank you to the author for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For more #picturebookoftheday recommendations, check out @whatwereadtogether! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you need a read aloud for young children, look If you need a read aloud for young children, look no further! TURTLE WALK is the sensational story of a family of turtles who emerge on a radiant spring day and begin a trek that crosses through each season until they finally reach their destination. The perfectly satisfying ending will have readers smiling and cheering for the lovable turtles. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With its warm and inviting illustrations that skillfully capture the beauty of each season, this delightful tale is a good choice for comparing and contrasting spring, fall, winter, and summer. The simple, repetitive text allows readers to join in for the refrain making this one engaging read aloud! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My daughter was so interested in turtles after reading this book, we researched them to find out if they hibernate and she made a turtle out of a recycled box. Clearly, it was a big hit with our family! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I highly recommend TURTLE WALK by Matt Phelan @mattphelandraws; published by Greenwillow Books @greenwillowbooks, 2020 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @harperkids for sharing this spectacular book with our family in exchange for an honest review.
I know, I know, Christmas books before Thanksgivin I know, I know, Christmas books before Thanksgiving….but these two modern takes on classic tales are SO good, I just can’t help myself. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m sure you have read many versions of classic THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS and while the words may be the same, you have never seen an edition like Loren Long’s. In his author’s note, he writes, “Christmas brings joy and love all over the world – no matter who we are, where we live, or how we celebrate. That’s what I wanted to portray in this book – one magical Christmas Eve celebrated by children from different families.” And that is exactly what he has done. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Rich, lush illustrations provide a glimpse into a magical night experienced by a family on a farm, in a trailer park, in a city, and in the tropics. There are so many clever details that children and adults will love pouring over. The end papers in particular are a special treat! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The second book I’m excited to share is THE NUTCRACKER IN HARLEM. This unique reimagining of the traditional Christmas ballet incorporates elements of the Harlem Renaissance. Surrounded by music during a holiday party, a young girl filled with self-doubt hesitates to join in the festivities. That night, she dreams of the nutcracker she received as a gift and finds her confidence as they defeat the Mouse King together. Gorgeous watercolor illustrations bring the characters to life in this exceptional retelling. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement C. Moore; illustrated by Loren Long @thelorenlong and THE NUTCRACKER IN HARLEM by T.E. McMorrow; illustrated by James Ransome @jransomillustr. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @harperkids for sharing these special books with our family.
We all know that books make the best gifts, but so We all know that books make the best gifts, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to find the perfect one for that special child or teacher in your life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That’s why I’ve put together a gift guide featuring a few of my favorite books from 2020 that have tons of kid appeal. Full of imagination, whimsy, and humor, children are going to love these standout stories! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Visit LIBRARYMOM.COM (link in bio) for our full guide featuring the following lists: ❤️Holiday Gift Guide for Ages 3 – 5 💚Holiday Gift Guide for Ages 5 and up 💙Best Books to Give Teachers ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ All of the books on the list have been published in 2020, so you don’t have to worry about buying a book the child or teacher already has! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m working on my list of new holiday books for 2020, so be sure to check back soon for that one. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are your favorite books to give as gifts? Spot any that you love here?
One of the best things I have taught my children i One of the best things I have taught my children is to have fun with art and not worry about recreating an image of something perfectly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That’s why I love WHEN I DRAW A PANDA, which empowers children to use their imagination to the fullest and enjoy pushing the boundaries of art. I just adore how this story inspires children to be happy with their creations and not worry about other people’s judgements. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The energetic illustrations are full of whimsy and playfully share a young girl’s description of her creative process. The girl’s confidence is contagious and is sure to inspire budding artists. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Visit my Amazon Storefront (link in bio) for more of our favorite BOOKS TO SPARK THE IMAGINATION. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss WHEN I DRAW A PANDA by Amy June Bates @amyjunebates; published by Paula Wiseman, 2020 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @simonkids for sharing this special story with our family in exchange for an honest review. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
New books alert!!! I just got this incredible coll New books alert!!! I just got this incredible collection of books from @simonkids and I’m so excited to share them! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ THE CHICKEN WHO COULDN’T - Jan Thomas’ signature humor is front and center in this comical story about a chicken who learns that he can accomplish great things when he believes in himself. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ PERFECT PIGEONS – I love books that encourage children to embrace their uniqueness and be their best selves and this book does just that in the most charming way! With its bright colors and powerful message of celebrating differences, this one is a must-have! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ SOPHIE JOHNSON UNICORN EXPERT IS A DETECTIVE GENIUS - The oblivious Sophie Johnson is back with another amusing tale! She is so focused on finding clues that she completely misses the suspicious action around her. Children are going to love cheering on her dog who, luckily, is a top-notch detective! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ MARJORY SAVES THE EVERGLADES - This beautifully illustrated biography follows the life of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a remarkable woman who accomplished many important feats most notably becoming an environmental activist who saved the Florida Everglades from destruction. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ CLICK, CLACK, GOOD NIGHT–Fans of this best-selling series will be ecstatic to get their hands on this delightful bedtime adventure featuring the beloved characters from Click, Clack Moo. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ MAX & RUBY AND THE BABYSITTING SQUAD –Ruby and her friend are excited to start a babysitting club, but quickly discover that watching children is not as easy as they expected! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ BREAKING THE ICE –Manon Rhéame may have been a small girl, but she had big dreams of becoming an ice hockey goalie. This inspiring biography follows her through her incredible career as she became the first woman to play in the NHL. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ CLOUDS –This is a beautiful celebration of the loving relationship between a mother and daughter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ CROSSINGS–This lush nonfiction book introduces children to a wide range of animals who use unique structures to cross man-made constructions. It is fascinating and a big hit with my kids! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Which one do you want to hear more about???
How do you feel about rhyming books? I’ve found How do you feel about rhyming books? I’ve found that most people either love them or really dislike them. If it is done right, I’m a fan. BOBBY BABINSKI’S BATHTUB is one of those books with flowing rhymes that’s a joy to read aloud. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Bobby Babinski does not care for bath time, but, luckily, his imaginative father has some outlandish ideas to make the bath more enjoyable. The lively illustrations perfectly match the upbeat text making this one engaging read aloud. My five-year-old loves this book so much that she asked for three more readings the first time I shared it with her! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So, are you a fan of rhymes or do you avoid them all the time? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss BOBBY BABINSKI’S BATHTUB by Judy Young; illustrated by Kevin M. Barry; published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2020 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @sleepingbearpress for sharing this exciting story with our family in exchange for an honest review.
Our Giveaway is Closed. The randomly selected winn Our Giveaway is Closed. The randomly selected winner is @teenietheeniep2188 🎉 Congrats! 🎉 Thank you to everyone who entered!! 💖 . . The United States has its first ever female vice president, Kamala Harris!!! Despite how you may have voted in the election, this is an important historical moment. That’s why I’m thrilled to GIVEAWAY a copy of KAMALA AND MAYA’S BIG IDEA by @meena; illustrated by @florecitasdelcampo; published by @balzerandbray, 2020. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As children, Kamala and her sister Maya advocated for a playground in their apartment building courtyard and through hard work and persistence, they accomplished their goal. Readers will be amazed and inspired by the girls’ determination and ability to make their dreams a reality. The colorful illustrations add to the upbeat tone of the book and children will love seeing how a community came together to build something that would benefit many. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This story is simply outstanding! I love books that show children making a difference and the fact that both of these children grew up to excel in their careers and become admirable advocates with Kamala Harris earning the title of Vice President of the United States is even more empowering! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ HERE’S HOW TO ENTER: 1. Like this photo 2. Follow me @librarymombooks 3. Tag a friend or two as separate entries in the comments who also might love to win this standout story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The giveaway ends on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:00 p.m. EST. Open to US residents only (sorry international friends!) You must be 18+ to win. Instagram is in no way affiliated with this giveaway. Good luck! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you @phenomenal for sharing this impressive book with me and making this giveaway possible!
With the stress of the election, I thought we coul With the stress of the election, I thought we could all use a laugh, so today I’m sharing a book that had my children giggling from cover to cover. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I avoided using the word “butt” around my kids for years! Every time I saw it in a book, I would change it to “bum” or try to omit it all together if possible. My children are now five and eight and I’ve finally realized that they just love that kind of humor and I can’t avoid it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When they saw the book, BUTTS ARE EVERYWHERE, they gleefully brought it over and asked me to read it. What pursued was a fit of laughter as the text describes several fun facts about backsides including the scientific name and the advantages of having one. The colorful cartoony illustrations mixed with the comical topic gives this book tons of kid appeal. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Don’t miss BUTTS ARE EVERYWHERE by Jonathan Stutzman @thedustdancestoo; illustrated by Heather Fox @adoodlefox; published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2020 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A big thank you to @penguinkids for sharing this story with our family in exchange for an honest review.
It’s official! The United States has named its n It’s official! The United States has named its new president and vice president! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You can introduce children to these important figures by reading these beautifully illustrated picture book biographies that highlight their achievements, their struggles, and best of all their inspirational character. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ JOEY: THE STORY OF JOE BIDEN by Jill Biden @drbiden; illustrated by Amy June Bates @amyjunebates; published by @simonkids, 2020 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ KAMALA HARRIS: ROOTED IN JUSTICE by Nikki Grimes; illustrated by Laura Freeman @laurafreemanart; published by @simonkids, 2020 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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