First Grade Summer Reading List
Topics: Summer, First Grade, Top Children's Books, Summer Reading and Learning, Summer Reading by Grade
Even though your child is beginning to read on her own, sitting down together with a book is still an important part of her development as a reader, and it's a perfect summer activity! "Even if your child can read, we would encourage you to share the summer reading experience,” says Helen Huber, a veteran librarian and elementary school teacher, and a literary adviser for GiftLit, an online retailer of hand-selected books. “Your modeling of fluency and your oral expression enhances their experience of the story and their reading skills."
Many kids entering first grade are still taking baby steps with reading. Others want to read simple books on their own. If you're feeling flustered trying to find books that both you and your child can enjoy, we've got you covered. We've cracked open hundreds of new titles to bring you this list of fail-safe first grade favorites for summer:
Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures: The Mount Rushmore Calamity by Sara Pennypacker, created by Jeff Brown
It's been 45 years since kids first got a glimpse of Flat Stanley, a regular boy smushed to just a half-inch thick by a falling bulletin board. Being flat is tough, but it makes being sent through the mail a breeze, and the original series sent Stanley on some truly fantastic adventures. This book marks the first in a series of new exploits for the first grade favorite who can fly like a kite and slip under door cracks, and bestselling author Pennypacker doesn't disappoint. Not only will kids get a giggle over all the entertaining situations Stanley finds himself in, but they'll get a little taste of geography, too, as Stanley traverses the country, and the globe. First stop: Mount Rushmore, where he prevents a rockslide, saves his brother from the bridge of Lincoln's crumbling nose, and searches for gold. Flat out, fun! (HarperCollins, 2009, $15.99) Where to buy
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein and Ed Young
Wabi Sabi, a cat from Kyoto, has never thought much about the meaning of his name. But when a foreigner asks his owner about it, he replies that it is difficult to explain. The cat's journey to find his meaning lays the groundwork for this book, but the book itself is an exploration of the concept of wabi sabi, which is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfect or humble things. The artwork, by Caldecott winner Ed Young, is a masterpiece of collaged cut paper. The text is spare. But for parents who complain about the media onslaught facing children today, this book is a breath of fresh air-- an unconventional and gorgeously layered thing unlike any children's book you've ever seen. Not every child will love it, but for the right child, it will be a favorite. And you'll likely leaf through it long after your kid has gone to bed. (Little Brown, 2008, $16.99) Where to buy
The Retired Kid by John Agee
It's been a great 8 years, but Brian is exhausted. Between school, vegetables, and babysitting his little sister, he's in need of a break. So he decides to move to the Happy Sunset Retirement Community. Under the wing of a retired plumber named Harvey, he's got enough fishing, golfing, and loafing to fill his days, but he also needs to listen to rambling complaints about hip replacements and "ooh" at pictures of people's grandkids. Maybe retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. This gentle story about what makes being a kid tough sometimes, and learning to appreciate what makes it great, will bring a smile to the face of overscheduled kids, and to the parents and grandparents who love them. (Hyperion Books, 2008, $16.99) Where to buy
Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles by Rupert Kingfisher and illustrated by Sue Hellard
It's summertime, and Madeleine's parents want an adults-only vacation. So she's sent to live with her horrible Uncle Lard, who dreams of becoming a famous chef, but has the taste buds of an amoeba. One day, Madeleine goes out to buy supplies for Lard's restaurant, and stumbles upon a mysterious shop selling absolutely incredible edibles-- edibles like Pterodactyl Bacon and Roast Piranha with Raspberry Coulis. The item Madeleine brings back rockets her uncle's restaurant to instant fame. The only problem is, he now wants her to steal the recipe! Full of incredibly creative ingredients and fairytale characters, this book reminds us of early Roald Dahl. Pitched at the 8-11 year-old crowd, it makes a wonderfully delicious read-aloud for first graders who are inching towards chapter books. (Bloomsbury, 2008, $15.99) Where to buy
Zelda and Ivy: Keeping Secrets by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Fabulous fox sisters, Zelda and Ivy take turns make a promise not to spill a certain shared secret about the tooth fairy, big sister Zelda tries to outwit Ivy with various April fools’ pranks, and in a dramatic and most hilarious finish, butterflies and ‘mi mi mi’s collide as opera-star hopeful Zelda is upstaged by the outdoor pursuits of her friends. For young readers ready to make the transition from picture books to multi-chapter novels, the Zelda and Ivy series is a fresh and funny way to get them started. But if your child still believes that a lady with wings is sticking dollars under her pillow, we'd say give this one a pass for another in the series. (Candlewick, $15.99) Where to buy
Let's Do Nothing by Tony Fucile
Frankie and Sal are bored. They've played every sport ever invented, painted more cookies than Van Gogh did in a lifetime, and baked enough cookies to feed a small country. The only thing they haven't done is...nothing. So the friends determine to do just that. The only problem is, doing nothing isn't as easy as it sounds, even for just ten seconds. Author-illustrator Fucile, who spent over 20 years bringing characters to life for movies like Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, has created a laugh-out-loud winner with his picturebook debut. (Candlewick, 2009, $16.99) Where to buy
It's been 45 years since kids first got a glimpse of Flat Stanley, a regular boy smushed to just a half-inch thick by a falling bulletin board. Being flat is tough, but it makes being sent through the mail a breeze, and the original series sent Stanley on some truly fantastic adventures. This book marks the first in a series of new exploits for the first grade favorite who can fly like a kite and slip under door cracks, and bestselling author Pennypacker doesn't disappoint. Not only will kids get a giggle over all the entertaining situations Stanley finds himself in, but they'll get a little taste of geography, too, as Stanley traverses the country, and the globe. First stop: Mount Rushmore, where he prevents a rockslide, saves his brother from the bridge of Lincoln's crumbling nose, and searches for gold. Flat out, fun! (HarperCollins, 2009, $15.99) Where to buyWabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein and Ed Young
Wabi Sabi, a cat from Kyoto, has never thought much about the meaning of his name. But when a foreigner asks his owner about it, he replies that it is difficult to explain. The cat's journey to find his meaning lays the groundwork for this book, but the book itself is an exploration of the concept of wabi sabi, which is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfect or humble things. The artwork, by Caldecott winner Ed Young, is a masterpiece of collaged cut paper. The text is spare. But for parents who complain about the media onslaught facing children today, this book is a breath of fresh air-- an unconventional and gorgeously layered thing unlike any children's book you've ever seen. Not every child will love it, but for the right child, it will be a favorite. And you'll likely leaf through it long after your kid has gone to bed. (Little Brown, 2008, $16.99) Where to buyThe Retired Kid by John Agee
It's been a great 8 years, but Brian is exhausted. Between school, vegetables, and babysitting his little sister, he's in need of a break. So he decides to move to the Happy Sunset Retirement Community. Under the wing of a retired plumber named Harvey, he's got enough fishing, golfing, and loafing to fill his days, but he also needs to listen to rambling complaints about hip replacements and "ooh" at pictures of people's grandkids. Maybe retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. This gentle story about what makes being a kid tough sometimes, and learning to appreciate what makes it great, will bring a smile to the face of overscheduled kids, and to the parents and grandparents who love them. (Hyperion Books, 2008, $16.99) Where to buyMadame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles by Rupert Kingfisher and illustrated by Sue Hellard
It's summertime, and Madeleine's parents want an adults-only vacation. So she's sent to live with her horrible Uncle Lard, who dreams of becoming a famous chef, but has the taste buds of an amoeba. One day, Madeleine goes out to buy supplies for Lard's restaurant, and stumbles upon a mysterious shop selling absolutely incredible edibles-- edibles like Pterodactyl Bacon and Roast Piranha with Raspberry Coulis. The item Madeleine brings back rockets her uncle's restaurant to instant fame. The only problem is, he now wants her to steal the recipe! Full of incredibly creative ingredients and fairytale characters, this book reminds us of early Roald Dahl. Pitched at the 8-11 year-old crowd, it makes a wonderfully delicious read-aloud for first graders who are inching towards chapter books. (Bloomsbury, 2008, $15.99) Where to buyZelda and Ivy: Keeping Secrets by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Fabulous fox sisters, Zelda and Ivy take turns make a promise not to spill a certain shared secret about the tooth fairy, big sister Zelda tries to outwit Ivy with various April fools’ pranks, and in a dramatic and most hilarious finish, butterflies and ‘mi mi mi’s collide as opera-star hopeful Zelda is upstaged by the outdoor pursuits of her friends. For young readers ready to make the transition from picture books to multi-chapter novels, the Zelda and Ivy series is a fresh and funny way to get them started. But if your child still believes that a lady with wings is sticking dollars under her pillow, we'd say give this one a pass for another in the series. (Candlewick, $15.99) Where to buyLet's Do Nothing by Tony Fucile
Frankie and Sal are bored. They've played every sport ever invented, painted more cookies than Van Gogh did in a lifetime, and baked enough cookies to feed a small country. The only thing they haven't done is...nothing. So the friends determine to do just that. The only problem is, doing nothing isn't as easy as it sounds, even for just ten seconds. Author-illustrator Fucile, who spent over 20 years bringing characters to life for movies like Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, has created a laugh-out-loud winner with his picturebook debut. (Candlewick, 2009, $16.99) Where to buyWant to see last summer's picks? Check out our 2008 First Grade Summer Reading List.
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