9 Amazing Summer Reading Story Books for Young Readers + Giveaway

Looking for amazing summer reading story books for young readers that will engage their minds and encourage their imagination? We’ve partnered with Dover Books to bring you nine spectacular selections that your kids won’t be able to put down! Check them out, then learn how you can save 25% off Dover Books!

 

It’s so important for kids to read during the summer to help avoid the dreaded summer slide. Each year our children are sent home with a list of suggested books to read during break. Unfortunately, they’ve usually already read them a dozen times during the school year. My six-year-old has this habit where he memorizes books and can recite them back to you word for word. He no longer reads the book, he just recites it based on memory. That doesn’t exactly help him improve his reading skills, now does it! Memory skills, sure, but reading? Not so much. Because of this I was so excited to check out four different Dover Publications books for young readers.

Dover Books Review: Why they’re so perfect for young readers

When our Dover package first arrived, I was excited about new books. As we read them, both my son and I fell in love with them. The stories that Dover publishes are creative, classic, and beautifully illustrated. I’ll get more into the illustrations later. What I loved most about Dover books is that my son can’t memorize them after 2-3 reads.

All of the books were age-appropriate and filled with words he knows how to read along with more that he is still learning. There were many opportunities for him to practice his sight words and use phonics.  Each book is over 30 pages long and has a decent amount of words on the page. They were stories with a plot, climax, and adequate character development. I’m sure if my son really put his mind to it he could memorize some of the books, like The Girl in the White Hat or Wedding Procession of the Rag Doll and the Broom Handle and Who was in it. However, it would take him about 20 reads due to the volume of words in each story which would help him improve his reading skills. I definitely love the challenge of reading these classic books, and the story that is interesting to both the parent and child. Let’s check out the books we read!

9- Perfect Story Books for Young Readers

Heads up: you’ll find all of these books and more on Dover’s Summer Reading page!

1- The Girl in the White Hat

The Girl in the White Hat is all about using your imagination to go on wonderful adventures. The story encourages independent play and uses its illustrations to bring the wonderment alive. The illustrations jump between full-color pictures and black and white pictures with pops of color. Not only are the illustrations vibrant, so are the words. The story is filled with descriptive words that will make the reader’s imagination run wild.

2- The Wedding Procession of the Rag Doll and the Broom Handle and Who Was in It

This story is a whimsical read. It is easier than The Girl in the White Hat, and it is full of silliness and funny antics. My son’s favorite characters are the Musical Soup Eaters.  He giggles the whole time. The illustrations are very detailed and might seem a bit odd at first, but as you read the story they add to the humor of the story.

3- Too Many Mittens

This story has more narrative than the other books with bright watercolor illustration. This book was my favorite. Too Many Mittens is a great story that showcases community. It was fun to see all the many places the mittens would appear and how they were returned. I also loved the two bonus stories that comes with the book.

4- It’s Like This, Cat

This book is definitely for older kids closer to 10 years old. My 6 year old wasn’t able to read it, but he enjoyed me reading it to him a chapter at a time during bed. The story is adventurous and focuses on how one person’s life can impact another. It’s about finding good in people and showing support during tough times.

A lot of the book went over my son’s head, but it is one we will hang on to have him read again by himself when he gets a little older. There are a lot of great morals to be learned from the story that you don’t see in modern literature. I wish my son was a little older so that we can discuss it, because I know he would take a lot from how character’s life impacts the other.

Looking for more fantastic early reader books from Dover? Check out a few more on our to-read list!

5- The Wish-Tree by John Ciardi:

Illustrated by the same artist who did the Pippi Longstocking books, The Wish-Tree follows the dreamy adventure of a young boy who falls asleep at the base of a huge tree and dreams that it has the power to grant wishes.

6- Sam & Emma by Donald Nelson:

Sam & Emma tells the tale of  a kind hound and a critical cat as they venture beyond their own yard and discover the world outside their garden gate. Storywraps calls it the “perfect conversation starter regarding manners, etiquette, kindness, and tolerance.”

7- The Mother Goose Picture Book:

I remember reading Mother Goose as a child myself. Now, our kids can revisit the same rhymes that inspired generations of playground games. Mother Goose is the perfect introduction to poetry to young readers.

8- My Father’s Dragon by  Ruth Stiles Gannett:

Elmer Elevator wants one thing in life: to be able to fly. When a stray cat tells him about a captive dragon forced to shuttle jungle creatures across the river, he sets out on a mission to rescue the dragon. See, stories say that he’ll give a free ride to anyone who can rescue him!

9- Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings by Edward McLachlan:

If the gorgeous chalk illustrations don’t draw your kids in, the fact that these stories inspired a TV series by the same name will! Dover’s exclusive collection contains all four of McLachlan’s Chalk stories!

Dover has a vast selection of charming story books for young readers across just about every genre. With a solid mix of new stories and classic tales, you’ll find the perfect books to hook your kids in and encourage them to read all summer long!

COUPON ALERT: Save 25% at Dover!

 

Save 25% on your favorite Dover Books when you use coupon code WJAJ by 8/31/17. Think ahead and grab a few books for the holidays while you’re shopping for summer reading stories! Don’t forget to follow Dover on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with news!

Dover Books Giveaway

Want to expand your child’s library with a few of these classics? Enter below for your chance to win a $51 value prize pack that includes:

• Wedding Procession of the Rag Doll and the Broom Handle and Who Was in it
• The Girl in the White Hat
• Too Many Mittens
• It’s Like This Cat

Giveaway is open to US residents age 18+ and ends on August 2nd. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED: Congrats to Christina A!

What are your favorite story books for early readers? Share below!