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FeedRecommended Summer Reads
We recently asked children's librarians at OKC metro-area libraries to share their favorite books, ranging from toddlers, pre-readers and early readers, up to middle elementary and into tween/teens. Here are some great recommended summer reads from local librarians:
From Beverly Theige, Children's Librarian at the Norman Public Library
My favorite for little ones is Flap Your Wings by P. D. Eastman. It's hilarious!
My Mama Had a Dancing Heart by Libby Moore Gray always makes me cry in a good way.
For people of Norwegian decent who can read it with an accent: Uff Da! by C. L. G. Martin
I also enjoyed reading the chapter book Listening for Lions by Gloria Whetan last summer with my daughter.
From Lisa Wood, Children's Services Coordinator at the Metropolitan Library System
To Learn About Travel:
Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller (Preschool-Grade 2)—The states become bored with their positions on the map and decide to change places for a while.
We All Went On Safari: A Counting Book through Tanzania by Laurie Krebs. (Preschool-Grade 2)—Follows a Tanzanian family through the African grasslands as they count the animals they see, from one leopard to ten elephants; includes information about Tanzania and Swahili names and numbers.
How Big is the World? by Bitta Teckentrup. (Preschool-Kindergarten)—Little Mole asks each animal he meets how big the world is, and they all give progressively larger answers, ranging from the size of a spider's web to an endless ocean.
To Learn About Culture:
Fiesta Babies by Carmen Tafolla (Preschool-Kindergarten)—Babies enjoy the colorful fiesta with singing, dancing, hugs, and kisses.
Mung-Mung: A Fold-Out Book of Animal Sounds by Linda Sue Park. (Preschool-Grade 2)—A lift-the-flap guessing game challenges young readers to match the sounds made in languages around the world, such as "bo bo" in Hindi and "gav-gav" in Russian, to the appropriate animal.
What the World Eats by Peter Menzel. (Grades 5-12)—A photographic collection exploring what the world eats featuring portraits of twenty-five families from twenty-one countries surrounded by a week's worth of food
To Learn About Citizenship:
Ryan and Jimmy: and The Well in Africa That Brought Them Together. by Herb Shoveller (Grades 3-6). Presents the true story of a six-year-old named Ryan Hreljac who built a well halfway around the world and how it created a life-changing friendship with the Ugandan boy whose village benefitted from Ryan's generosity.
Every Human Has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids by National Geographic. (Grades 5-9) Based on the thirty rights listed in the "United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights," explores the basic freedoms of human beings, especially children, with examples of how these rights have been implemented around the world.
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon. (Preschool-Grade 2)—Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning until night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in the world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to warm family connections, to the widest sunset sky.
Other Stories:
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho. (Preschool-Kindergarten)—A lullaby which asks animals such as a lizard, monkey, and water-buffalo to be quiet and not disturb the sleeping baby.
Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters by Jane Yolen. (Grades 2- 6)—Short fairy tales mentioning or involving food are followed by recipes for the foods mentioned in the story.
From Jennifer Jones, Children’s Librarian at the Capitol Hill Library.
Good Stories for Pre-Readers:
Over in the Arctic by Marianne Berkes
Over in the Ocean by Marianne Berkes
Over in the Jungle by Marianne Berkes
Over in the Tundra by Marianne Berkes
For Beginning Readers:
Who Says Woof? by John Butler
Go, Dog, Go! by P.D. Eastman
For New Readers:
The Grouchy Lady Bug by Eric Carle
Biscuit series by Alyssa Capucilli
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin
Puppy Place series by Ellen Miles
Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look
Juvenile Fiction
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Superfudge! By Judy Blume (Also, Double Fudge and Fudge-A-Mania)
From Kristin Williamson, Children's Services Associate Librarian at the Midwest City Library
Good for Early Readers / Elementary:
Never Smile at a Monkey by Steve Jenkins
How the Elephant Got its Trunk: a Retelling of a Rudyard Kipling Tale by Jean Richards
For Tweens & Teens
The Red Pyramid (book 1 of the Kane Chronicles) by Rick Riordan
