23 Handpicked Summer Read-Alouds for Emergent Readers

Wondering what to read to your youngest learners this summer? Whether you're a Literacy Leader, educator, or caregiver, you’re in the right place.

You know that reading aloud with children is important, even if — and perhaps especially if — they can't decode words on their own yet. You also know that PreK-5 kids can’t afford to lose momentum going into the summer months.

Don’t let summer erase their literacy progress. We have a solution.

In this article, you'll get recommendations from students of the best read-alouds for families. Plus, our expert literacy educators share resources and routines that support both early literacy and meaningful family engagement.

Make reading aloud an irresistible daily routine this summer

This summer, Kids Read Now encourages families to turn short, daily read-aloud sessions into joyful rituals. (OK, fine... We do that every summer. 😉)

How are we supporting educators and caregivers in 2025? With fresh picks from our recently-released catalog, grouped by purpose and message.

But we didn't stop there. Below that, you'll find a curated list of our PreK-5 student participants' most-loved "Read to Me" books, each linked to specific Discovery Questions that spark comprehension and conversation.

The result is an article you'll return to time and again. (In fact, why don't you go ahead and bookmark it for reference later?)

Now, let's talk about why reading out loud to kids is so critical for early literacy, and how summer is the perfect time to nurture the practice.

Why read-aloud books matter during summer break

Reading aloud to emergent readers over the summer doesn’t just preserve the progress they made during the school year. It can actually accelerate it.

Research shows that reading aloud to kids from the earliest age pays dividends in their future reading scores across races and income brackets.

With summer read-aloud books, learners of all abilities are exposed to:

• Tier 2 vocabulary (words like predict, gentle, or mysterious)

  Pro Tip: Check out Orton-Gillingham's structured approach to teaching vocabulary that's particularly effective for learners with dyslexia or other phonemic awareness difficulties. Try Snake-Word or Wall Dictionary this summer…

• Narrative structure (beginning ➡️ middle ➡️ end; problem ➡️ solution)
• Cause and effect and character motivation
• Syntax and grammar patterns used in fluent writing

Here’s a first peek at 13 brand new “Read to Me” books for emergent readers.

PreK-5 students at Kids Read Now partner schools get to choose from over 150 books. Their selections get mailed home for them to keep, helping to close the opportunity gap.

Our literacy experts grouped these 2025 “Read to Me” books based on the kind of experience they can create when someone reads them aloud…

"Read to Me" books that foster fun and curiosity

These books introduce rhythm, rhyme, and colorful language — perfect for grabbing a child’s attention and fueling imagination.

"Read to Me" books that calm and comfort

Use these at naptime, bedtime, or whenever your family needs a quiet moment. They’re ideal for winding down the day.

"Read to Me" books that invite interaction and discussion

These books are ideal for sparking conversations about literacy. Ask questions, make predictions, and connect the stories to real life.

Pro Tip: Already read a classic like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom? Consider swapping in Peek, Otter! or The Hair Book from the "fun and curiosity" group for the same warmth and silliness with a fresh feel.

How to use this list of summer read-aloud books

Reading aloud doesn’t need to be one more thing on your to-do list. It can be one of the best parts of your day. Here’s how to make books to read aloud this summer fun, flexible, and full of learning:

• Make it playful. After reading, invite your child to act out a favorite scene, draw a picture of the setting, or create a “what happens next” ending. This builds imagination and comprehension.
• Tie it to movement. Choose a story that includes actions, then move along! If a character jumps, flies, or twirls — do it too. It keeps kids engaged while reinforcing vocabulary.
• Go on a word hunt. Before you read, choose one fun word (like “wiggle” or “grouchy”) and have your child clap or make a noise every time they hear it.
• Turn questions into conversations. Pause during reading to ask, “What would you do?” or “Why do you think that happened?” Let your child take the lead — you might be surprised where they go!
• Match stories to summer adventures. Reading The Snowy Day? Talk about opposites like hot/cold while eating popsicles. Reading Corduroy? Bring a stuffed animal on errands. Connect stories to your everyday life.
• Re-read with purpose. Kids love repetition, and re-reading builds fluency. Try using different voices or focusing on one character each time.
• Let them read, too (in their own way). Even if young children can’t decode words yet, yours can help tell the story through pictures, finish familiar phrases, or “read” a favorite book from memory.

PreK-5 Students’ 10 most-loved “Read to Me” books

When it comes to book selection, feedback from students themselves is the most valuable. Here are the 10 most highly-rated “Read to Me” books for emergent readers, according to our youngest Kids Read Now participants.

The summer routine with year-round benefits

When a trusted adult reads aloud, they send a powerful message: Books matter. Stories matter. Learning is joyful — and it’s something we do together.

Whether you’re a Literacy Leader passing resources to your teachers, an educator recommending books to your families, or a caregiver searching for something your kids will actually sit down to read, using this list of books for emergent readers can make a real difference.

By setting aside a few minutes a day to read with children, you’re helping strengthen their comprehension, curiosity, and love of learning — without needing a complex plan or additional materials.

Consistent read-aloud time adds up. And there’s no time like summer to make a habit of reading.