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Sail Into 1st Grade – Summer Reading List + Free Printable List

Encourage your students and their parents to keep reading throughout the summer months. With this easy-to-use, downloadable Summer Reading List, your students and their families will have lots of great summer reading ideas at their fingertips.

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Summer vacation is almost here and you want to make sure your students are ready for first grade. Of course, you’ve worked so hard with them throughout the school year to hone their reading skills. You definitely don’t want them to lose their new reading skills over the summer months. The list consists of 15 easy reader pictures books that have Lexile Measures of between 0200 and 0450. There are also more difficult picture books included as ideas for books that parents can read to their children.

Click below to download entire Summer Reading List.

Books for Students to Practice Reading

These early literacy books are great for building confidence in the budding reader. With fun summer themes like the beach, camping, and bugs, the soon-to-be-first-graders will be enthralled. The books on this list range from a Lexile Measure of 0200 to 0480 (Olivia Goes Camping is the most difficult at LM 0480).

Big Shark, Little Shark by Anna Membrino


This fun Step 1 book about two sharks is a study in opposites. Big Shark has big teeth; Little Shark has little teeth. Big Shark swims fast; Little Shark swims slow. But they are both hungry! Will they each succeed in finding a tasty snack? Little Shark is hoping that he won’t become fast food for Big Shark!

 Pete The Cat: Pete At The Beach by James Dean

New York Times bestselling author and artist James Dean brings readers some fun in the sun! Pete the Cat is one groovy cat at finding shells and building sandcastles at the beach. But when it gets too hot, there’s only one way to cool off—jump into the ocean! Except Pete might be a scaredy-cat when it comes to the water.

Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach is a My First I Can Read a book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child.

Pete The Cat: Play Ball by James Dean

Pete the Cat is ready to play baseball! Pete’s team, the Rocks, is playing the Rolls. But when the game doesn’t go Pete’s way, what will Pete do?

 Pete The Cat: Scuba Cat by James Dean

New York Times bestselling author and artist James Dean brings Pete the Cat’s world to life under the sea in this new I Can Read a book.

Pete the Cat is going scuba diving! Before he hits the water, Captain Joe tells him about all the sea creatures he can encounter, and Pete is super excited to see a seahorse. But when he is suited up and swimming around, he has to search high and low to find the little guy. In this aquatic adventure, Pete makes a new friend and gets a big surprise!

Pete the Cat: Scuba-Cat is a My First I Can Read Book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child. New readers will love the easy-to-read format and groovy illustrations in Pete the Cat’s first I Can Read underwater journey!

Biscuit Goes Camping by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Woof, woof! This way, Biscuit! It’s time to go camping.

Join Biscuit in the great outdoors. Biscuit can’t wait to go camping! From tents and flashlights to frogs and fireflies, there are so many new things to discover when you’re sleeping outdoors. But are those rain clouds in the sky? How will Biscuit go camping now?

Biscuit Goes Camping, a My First I Can Read a book, is carefully crafted using basic language, word repetition, sight words, and sweet illustrations—which means it’s perfect for shared reading with emergent readers.

Sail Into First Grade: Summer Reading List and Free Printable for Kindergarten Teachers and Parents

Biscuit In The Garden by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Discover the garden with Biscuit and his new friends!

Biscuit’s First Beach Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Biscuit is going on his first trip to the beach!

He is excited about making sandcastles, collecting seashells, and playing in the ocean.

Have a great day, Biscuit. Woof!

 Mouse’s First Summer by Lauren Thompson

Mouse and Minka invite you to celebrate summer with a picnic in the park. Roll down the hill on tickly green grass. Fly fluttery kites high in the sky. Enjoy some juicy watermelon! And before it’s time to go home, a summer surprise sparkles in the sky.

Now available as a Classic Board Book, this seasonal story is ideal for the youngest readers—and the smallest hands.

 

The Berenstain Bears: The Bears’ Picnic by Stan and Jan Berenstain

With the forces of nature conspiring against them, Papa Bear perseveres and finds the perfect spot for the Bear family picnic.

Sail Into 1st Grade - Summer Reading List + Free Printable List

 The Berentain Bears: The Bears’ Vacation by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Stan and Jan Berenstain take readers on a fun-filled trip to the beach in this classic Beginner Book, edited by Dr. Seuss. “Hooray! Hooray! We’re on our way! Our summer vacation starts today!” School’s out, and the Bear family is ready for a vacation at the beach. Whether the Bears are sailing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, or having a run-in with an angry whale, Father Bear certainly knows how to find trouble. The Bears’ Vacation will leave young readers eager for their very own summer fun!

Originally created by Dr. Seuss, Beginner Books encourage children to read all by themselves, with simple words and illustrations that give clues to their meaning.

 The Berenstain Bears: The Bike Lesson by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Literary legends Stan and Jan Berenstain take readers for a ride in this classic Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss. Small Bear has a new bike, but before he can ride it, his dad insists on teaching him about bike safety. From learning how to stop and turn to going down a hill and traveling roads you know, Small Bear has a lot to learn. And Father Bear has an unforgettable way of showing his son all the tricks of biking. The second in the beloved Berenstain Bears series, The Bike Lesson is the Tour de France of funny tales for early readers.

 The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman

Mr. and Mrs. Bird’s search for a “better” nest leads them to some peculiar spots.

 Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman

Sam is looking for a friend one night when he meets the firefly. He doesn’t know what trouble he’s in for.

 Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Eastman

Fred and Ted—beloved canine stars of P. D. Eastman’s Big Dog . . . Little Dog—are back in an all-new Beginner Book written and illustrated by P. D.’s son, Peter Eastman! In this story, Fred and Ted go camping, and as usual, their uniquely different approaches to doing things (such as packing equipment, setting up camp, and fishing techniques) have humorous—and sometimes surprising—results. A charming introduction to opposites that beginner readers will find ruff to put down!

 Olivia Goes Camping by Alex Harvey

Olivia is super excited to have her best friend come along on her family camping trip. However, Francine is not a huge fan of the Great Outdoors and is less than excited about the mud, the bugs, and the idea of sleeping in a tent. It’s up to Olivia to help Francine get in touch with her inner nature lover in this funny story that’s based on an episode.

Sail Into 1st Grade - Summer Reading List + Free Printable List

Read With Me Books

This part of the list has more difficult picture books that would be best for an adult to read to the child. This list also has a variety of summer themes including summer camp, ocean life, and bugs! Make sure to grab the Free Summer Reading List for an easy reference to all the books on this list.

Summertime In The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The warm days of summer have arrived, and that means Laura gets to spend fun-filled days outdoors!

The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime! Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside. Renée Graef’s enchanting full-color illustrations, inspired by Garth Williams’ classic artwork, bring Laura and her family lovingly to life in this sixth title in the My First Little House book series, picture books adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved storybooks. The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime! Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside. Renée Graef’s enchanting full-color illustrations, inspired by Garth Williams’ classic artwork, bring Laura and her family lovingly to life in this sixth title in the My First Little House book series, picture books adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved storybooks.

Swimmy by Leo Lionni


Deep in the sea lives a happy school of fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and teamwork—they can overcome any danger.

Winner of the 1964 Caldecott Honor, this beloved tale of a brave little fish has been a favorite to generations of readers.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

In this lively alphabet rhyme, the letters of the alphabet race up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no – Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!

A told B, and B told C, I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree.

In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no – Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom! The well-known authors of Barn Dance and Knots on a Counting Rope have created a rhythmic alphabet chant that rolls along on waves of fun. Lois Ehlert’s rainbow of bright, bold, cheerful colors makes the merry parade of letters unforgettable.

 The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

The Rainbow Fish is an international best-seller and a modern classic. Eye-catching foil stamping, glittering on every page, offers instant child appeal, but it is the universal message at the heart of this simple story about a beautiful fish who learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions that gives the book its lasting value.

 Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy!

In this funny yet endearing story, one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning your best enemy into your best friend. Accompanied by charming illustrations, Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.

Sail Into 1st Grade - Summer Reading List + Free Printable List

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 The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

The New York Times bestseller that celebrates the dreams, acceptance, and love that parents have for their children . . . now and forever! 
 
From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin’s rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, and a clever gatefold with kids in costumes, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids—both young and old. A great gift for any occasion, but a special stand-out for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation. The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes.

 The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

A mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox, then an owl, and then a snake. The mouse is good enough to eat but smart enough to know this, so he invents . . . the Gruffalo! As Mouse explains, the Gruffalo is a creature with terrible claws, terrible tusks in its terrible jaws, knobbly knees and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its nose. But Mouse has no worry to show. After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo. . . .

 Superworm by Julia Donaldson

Toad in trouble? Beetle in a jam? Never fear — Superworm is here! And he’s wiggling to the rescue!

But when Superworm is captured by a wicked Wizard Lizard, will his friends find a way to help their favorite superhero escape?

From the creators of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, a super new adventure with a wriggly, squiggly hero you’ll never forget.

 S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet by Helen Foster James

Next to baseball and fireworks on the Fourth of July, nothing else seems as American as the family camping trip. From what to pack, where to go, and what to do when you get there, S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet takes readers on an A-Z trail exploring this outdoor pastime. Veteran camper Helen Foster James tackles topics such as unique camping environments, equipment necessities, famous conservationists, national parks, and other attractions. Whether your idea of “roughing it” is a blanket in your own backyard or the subarctic ecosystem of Alaska’s Denali National Park, S is for S’mores is a fun and informative guide that is sure to help campers of all ages make the most of their wilderness adventures.

 The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Join Brother and Sister as they head to Grizzly Bob’s Day Camp for the very first time. The cubs will get to play soccer, go swimming, kayak, and even make crafts!

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