This is the last installment of my school’s Summer Reading 2013 list: A Collaboration of the Newton Public School Library Teachers & the Newton Free Children’s Librarians. I wanted to share my list with you since it’s likely on your library shelves. And I’ll use your list for the same reason.
The rest of the lists are here:
Rising First Grade Summer Reading List
Rising Second Grade Summer Reading List
Rising Third Grade Summer Reading List
Rising Fourth Grade Summer Reading List
Rising Fifth Grade Summer Reading List
Rising Kindergarten Summer Reading List
Out on the Prairie by Donna Bateman
A 1 through 10 counting book featuring prairie animals of the Badlands National Park.
Building Our House by Jonathan Bean
A young girl narrates her family’s move from the city to the country, where they have bought a piece of land and live in a new trailer while they build a house from the ground up.
Sophie’s Fish by A. E. Cannon
Jake starts to worry about everything that could go wrong when he agrees to take care of his friend Sophie’s fish for the weekend.
Little Lost Dog: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic by Monica Carnesi
A dog is rescued after days afloat on a sheet of ice in the Baltic Sea.
The Fly Flew In by David Catrow
A fly flies into a concert hall wreaking havoc.
Plant a Little Seed by Bonnie Christensen
Two friends plant seeds in their community garden, then water, weed, wait, and dream as the plants grow until they can be harvested. Includes facts about gardening and harvest festivals.
Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta
Late at night, when all is quiet and everyone is asleep, a ninja creeps silently through the house in search of treasure.
My son really loves this picture book. The illustrations by Ed Young really add an interesting twist to the book!
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring by Christine Davinier
Intertwines lyrics to various children’s songs with an indoor game of hide-and-seek.
The Ant and the Grasshopper by Rebecca Emberley
In this version of the classic fable, a weary ant is energized by the swinging sounds of a grasshopper and his “buggy” band.
Night Sky Wheel Ride by Sheree Fitch
Presents a poem about a ride on a Ferris wheel at night.
And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano
Simple text reveals the anticipation of a boy who, having planted seeds while everything around is brown, fears that something has gone wrong until, at last, the world turns green.
What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf? by Debi Gliori
Mr. Wolf’s day is packed, not only with his own activities and errands but with such characters as three giggling pigs and a fiddling cat continually asking him what time it is, until, at last, it is bedtime.
Noisy Poems for a Busy Day by Robert Heidbreder
Chock-full of playful pocket-sized poems that capture adventures big and small in a child’s day.
Grumpy Goat by Brett Helquist
Goat is the grumpiest animal at Sunny Acres farm until he remembers that there is more to life than eating and being alone.
There Was a Tree by Rachel Isadora
A version of the cumulative song “The Green Grass Grew All Around,” set in Africa.
My First Day by Steve Jenkins
“Explore some of the fascinating things that animals do on their first day.”
The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers
This clever picture book introduces a plucky rabbit and a new companion that he just can’t shake.
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing.
Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue
At bedtime, a young girl asks “Does everything in the world go to sleep?”
Up, Tall and High by Ethan Long
Through illustrations and simple text, birds demonstrate the meanings of the words up, tall, and high.
Max and Milo Go to Sleep! by Heather Long
It is bedtime for two beaver brothers but Milo has a very hard time trying to fall asleep, despite some good advice from Max.
Sick Day by David McPhail
When Boy is sick, his friends Dog and Bird try to help him feel better.
Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon
A little boy’s grandfathers, one in America and one in Japan teach him about baseball and its rich, varying cultural traditions.
A reminder that the Japanese love baseball too in this charming multicultural picture book!
Mooshka, a Quilt Story by Julie Mooshka Paschkis
Karla’s quilt Mooshka tells her stories about the pieces of fabric that Mooshka is made from, but when Karla’s baby sister is born, Mooshka falls silent until Karla overcomes her jealousy and shares Mooshka with the baby.
Body Actions by Shelley Rotner
Young readers learn about the human body and how the skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and circulatory systems function.
A Home for Bird by Philip Stead
Vernon the toad takes the silent Bird on a journey in hopes of finding Bird’s home.
A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse by Frank Viva
A boy and a mouse take a bumpy sea journey to the majestic expanses of the Antarctic, where they see the sights and meet new friends.
Dog Loves Drawing by Louise Yates
Dog loves drawing so much that he draws his very own adventure.
Mousterpiece by Jane Breskin Zalben
Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured.
To view any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
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p.s. Related posts:
New Picture Book Reviews by My First Grade Son
Picture Books about What Makes A House A Home
Picture Books to Inspire Foraging
Celebrate Tree Picture Books for Earth Day
Environmental-Themed Picture Books
Picture Books about Self-Acceptance
10 Picture Books About Women Scientists Who Became Activists
Rising First Grade Summer Reading List
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Free and downloadable guide:
Barbed Wire Between Us Teacher’s Guide
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Bookshop.org / Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Great end to a great series! These will be fun to read to wee little Beckett.
Thanks Artchoo!,
How is wee little Beckett this summer? Is he still running around without clothes doing art projects? Ah, to be a kid again!
This looks like another wonderful list! It also proves the value of comparing resources because I had only two of these in my classroom where I taught kindergarten! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Hi Barbara,
I think that most of the picture books are recently published. I don’t know many of them either and I’ve camped out twice at my local book store to read picture books! 🙂
Great list! I like the variety of texts you choose and the poetry options you included!
Thanks Jackie,
My local librarians and school librarians make these wonderful lists every summer.
We like several of these!
Adding Little Lost Dog, Nightime Ninja (my son will love this), this Ant and Grasshopper, and Zalda the Varigoose.
Hi Ann,
I can vouch for Nightime Ninja. You will love the illustrations. They are by Ed Young and I thought he should have won a Caldecott for his work! That guy is so talented!
Requesting these for Johnny – thanks!
Hi MaryAnne,
Please let me know which books Johnny likes! I’m especially curious about that moving book (which is not on my list) but here from Erica of What Do We Do All Day? Clancy and Millie and The Very Fine House by Libby Gleason. http://sharingsoda.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-clancy-millie-and-very-fine.html
Such a great book for kids if you are moving!
I want to read night time ninja, A trip to the bottom of the world with mouse and mousterpiece right now. Lol I have pinned this for future ref. I have just discovered pinterest. Lol. Great recommendations.
Hi Julie,
Welcome to Pinterest! I’ll follow you. What is your Pinterest name? Also if you email me your Pinterest email, I’ll invite you to pin to my Best Books for Kids board. We also love Night Time Ninja. I think my son thinks he’s a ninja!
Hurrah, thanks Mia, my Pinterest name is Julie Grasso and the email attached is juliemill26 at Hotmail dot com
I am following you too.
Hi Julie,
Just followed you on Pinterest and invited you to my three group boards. Welcome to Pinterest again! It’s fun!
So many great books shared here, many that even my 3.5 year-old would love too!
Thanks Jennifer! My library puts together a great summer reading list and I love how picture books work for most ages of kids. My 13-year-old will listen to picture book still even though she’s reading YA! I do think picture books, especially good ones, are for all ages!
My favorites are Nighttime Ninja and My First Day. Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop! Cheryl, Hop Hostess
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks so much for hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop! We love Nighttime Ninga too! Such wonderful illustrations by Ed Young! I was hoping it would win a Caldecott or a Cybil!
This list is great! We consume books at a voracious rate, but live in the middle of nowhere with no library, and no bookstore. No browsing or skimming the back of the book for us. I just ordered about half of these through our state rural outreach mail order library program and expect a very happy kiddo checking the mail in the upcoming week. Thanks!!
Hi Lynette,
I’m so happy that this list helped you! Our library puts together a wonderful list for all ages every summer. I hope you get them through your library exchange program soon!
Nighttime Ninja looks so cute!
Hi Asian Mommy,
It is a really cute book that is like a bedtime story for a little boy! Nice and sweet twist in the end and the illustrations by Ed Young are fantastic!