Summer Reading List (Kindergarten – 2nd)

Are you looking for a list of books for your Kindergartner, 1st, or 2nd grader to read this summer? I’ve compiled a list of must read books that your emergent or young reader is sure to enjoy!

My daughter will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. Even though she doesn’t know how to read yet, she recognizes letter and some words by sight. It’s important for kids who do know how to read to keep reading and learning throughout the summer to avoid losing those skills that they worked on during the school year.

Related: The Many Advantages Attending Kindergarten Confers Upon Young Children

I found a summer reading list that is perfect for young readers in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade.

Here is a list of 25 Summer Reading Books for Kindergarten-2nd grade:

Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan

What is a big sister to do when she has to take her little sister along to the very first birthday party she has been invited to in the United States?

The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Discover how much fun a picture book with no pictures can be in this absurd, hilarious book.

Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins

An in-depth look at many different animals’ eyes and their fascinating uses.

Flashlight by Lizi Boyd

When he uses his flashlight, a boy discovers many things in the night.

Goodnight Already! by Jory John

What happens when you really want to sleep but your best friend doesn’t?

Hi, Koo! A Year of Seasons by Jon J. Muth

Koo the panda is back and discovering each season through poetry.

How Big Were Dinosaurs? by Lita Judge

In a series of funny, engaging portraits, all sizes of dinosaurs come into focus around real-life objects in the modern world.

I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty

A frog imagines what it would be like to be a rabbit, a cat, and other animals in this silly story.

I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison

A neighborhood walk becomes so much more as a little girl explores the music and sound of everyday urban life.

Journey by Aaron Becker

Get caught up in an adventure with a girl whose imagination and red marker take her to amazing places.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

C.J. and his grandma take an eye-opening bus ride across town. Where do they go every Sunday?

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

Mr. Tiger is tired of being so proper. What happens when he decides to . . . go a little wild?

My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems

Will a new friend break apart Piggie and Gerald’s friendship?

Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales

Niño is the lucha libre champion of the world . . . until his sisters wake up from their naps!

Old Mikamba Had a Farm by Rachel Isadora

On Old Mikamba’s “farm,” we meet (and hear!) many different African animals.

Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman

Laugh along to rhyming text about pirates on the search for the Pants of Gold.

Power Down, Little Robot by Anna Staniszewski

This little robot has no plans to go to bed!

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Princess Magnolia trades her frilly dresses for a mask and cape to ward off monsters.

Rain! by Linda Ashman

When a rainstorm arrives, a young boy and an old man have two very different reactions.

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett

Sam and Dave do not find what they expect when they dig a hole, but they still end up having a pretty good day.

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton

Two boys with two toys have a series of contests to see which toy is better.

Ten Rules of Being a Superhero by Deb Pilutti

Anyone can be a superhero as long as they follow these ten important rules!

Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Goat’s life was A-OK until that oh-so-perfect unicorn came along—but do these two horned opponents have more in common than he thinks?

Weasels by Elys Dolan

You might think weasels spend their days romping in the woods. What’s the worst they do? Steal the occasional egg from a chicken coop? NO! They are secretly plotting world conquest!

Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman

A funny book about a bunny family that adopts a wolf pup they find.

There you have it! 25 books perfect for kids in Kindergarten-2nd grade. Don’t miss the list of books I shared for my son’s age range: Summer Reading List (6th-8th grade).

Has your child read any books on this list? Any others you would add?

Don’t miss these summer reading lists for other age groups and tips on saving money on books:

Summer Reading List (3rd-5th grade)

Summer Reading List (6th-8th grade)

Fun Things to Do in the Summer: Reading On the Cheap

Thanks to the Association for Library Service to Children for providing this list of summer reading list suggestions for Kindergarten-2nd grad