10 Great Living Books for Preschoolers and Kindergartners to Read This Summer

Whether you homeschool or your children go to traditional schools, summer time can be a great time to focus on reading. Libraries and book stores often have reading incentive programs. And if you're taking a school break, reading is a better alternative than constant television and electronics.

If you've loved the idea of introducing great books to your children but you just find yourself too busy, challenge yourself and your kids to read ten great living books over the summer.

In this series of blog posts, I'm sharing some great living books that you can share with your child this summer. Read them aloud or bribe encourage your children to read them independently.

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Here are ten living books for your preschoolers and kindergartners to enjoy this summer.


The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco- Grandpa and Mary Ellen head off to chase down a bee tree when Mary Ellen gets tired of reading her book.




Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaolo- Author and artist Tomie dePaolo tells this story from his boyhood. He loves visiting his grandmother and great grandmother living upstairs and down, but he's said when he finds out that Nana Upstairs won't be there anymore.




Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See by Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle- This classic for preschoolers will guide children through identifying various animals and describing their observations.



The House That Jack Built by J.P. Miller- This rhyming story is a fun read aloud because of the series of events that come about. It's fun when kids can begin to predict what comes next.




The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown- This is a sweet story about a little bunny whose mom follows him everywhere as he tries to run away.




Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty- This story for little ones is a retelling of the classic tale of Androcles and the Lion.




The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf- Ferdinand, although a big and brawny bull, has no desire to fight. He only wants to sit and enjoy nature. Until one day, Ferdinand meets a bee and has his big moment in the bullring.



Stellaluna by Janell Cannon- Stellaluna is a fruit bat, separated from her mother one night by an owl attack. Raised by a family of birds, she's one day reunited with her family. It's a sweet story that explores similarities and differences.




Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth and Ezra Jack Keats- This picture book has the classic rhyme accompanied by beautiful pictures from Ezra Jack Keats.



Come on, Rain by Karen Hesse- Tess is hoping for rain on a day when everything is drooping and sweltering. When rain comes, Tess, her mother, and the whole neighborhood celebrate.




Do you have other living book favorites for this age range? Share them in the comments below.


Be on the lookout for the other posts in this series for living book recommendations for other ages. And access a free printable pack with a reading record and a reading coloring page here.

Check out summer reading for other age groups here: