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25 books to read this summer

By Sadiya Dendar
25 books to read this summer

25 books to read this summer

Hit the books this summer!

We've compiled our favourite summer reads for kids from as young as a few months. From cranky crayons to the true story of Rumpelstiltskin, boredom won't even be on the radar this summer.

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Black Jake/iStockphoto

Blue Chameleon

Author & Illustrator: Emily GravettPublisher: MacmillanAges: 0 - 1Young children can learn about colours and objects as this silly lizard shows off his camouflaging skills by imitating everything from a striped sock to a polka-dotted ball. Where to Buy? $10, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

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Who’s on the Move?

Author: Jane ChapmanIllustrator: Alexis Barad-CutlerPublisher: ScholasticAges: 0 - 1Cute rhymes and illustrated habitats hint at the different animals that are found behind each of the flaps. Kids will love to play along as they try to guess the answer to each riddle. Where to Buy? $9, Scholastic

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Scholastic

ABC Train

Author & Illustrator: Kate StonePublisher: Accord PublishingAges: 0 - 1This accordion board book folds out to accommodate each coach of the ABC train. Hop on and practice letters with passengers like a pie-eating princess and a lion who loves to fly kites. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

Diggers Go

Author & Illustrator: Steve LightPublisher: Chronicle BooksAges: 0 - 1This large-format board book is perfect to explore different vehicles as they perform their jobs on the construction site. Kids will especially love to imitate the sounds that each one makes – rumble, crunch, boom, chug! Where to Buy? $10, Chronicle Books

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

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Moustache Up!

Author: Kimberly AinsworthIllustrator: Daniel RoodePublisher: Little SimonAges: 0 - 1This hilarious book covers the different types of moustaches men can grow, while teaching kids about opposites (like smooth versus rough). Plus, it has 12 cut-outs to dress up the faces in the book. Where to Buy? $10, Indigo

25 books to read this summer

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug!

Author: Mem FoxIllustrator: Laura LjungkvistPublisher: Beach Lane BooksAges: 1 - 2Kids search through beautifully crafted die-cut illustrations to find a ladybug who loves to play hide-and-seek. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summer

Mustache Baby

Author: Bridget HeosIllustrator: Joy AngPublisher: Clarion BooksAges: 1 - 2Billy’s family isn’t bothered that he was born with a moustache, as long as it’s a “good guy” ’stache. But when it starts to curl, his family must find a way to reform this bad boy. Where to Buy? $15, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

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My Zoo

Author & Illustrator: Rod CampbellPublisher: MacmillanAges: 1 - 2Learn about wildlife with this colourful book that introduces kids to animals from around the world. Each page is cut out in the shape of a different creature and is printed on thick cardstock so little fingers won’t rip them. Where to Buy? $15, Macmillan

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Macmillan

Wiggle!

Author & Illustrator: Taro GomiPublisher: Chronicle KidsAges: 1 - 2There’s a hole in this book! And it’s the perfect size for kids to wiggle their finger through to complete each picture. Help the penguin peck her beak and the crocodile flash his fangs. Where to Buy? $8, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

Let it Shine

Author & Illustrator: Maryann Cocca-LefflerPublisher: ScholasticAges: 1 - 2Spend the lazy summer days with this family who loves playing outdoors. Easy-to-read text balances the busy illustrations as the kids have fun splashing in the water, sleeping in the hammock and enjoying freshly squeezed lemonade. Where to Buy? $5, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

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If You Want to See A Whale

Author: Julie FoglianoIllustrator: Erin E. SteadPublisher: Roaring Brook PressAges: 3 - 5Simple text and illustrations tell the tale of a young boy who must be patient and ignore the wonderful things around him (like pirates and pelicans) as he tries to spot a whale. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg

Author: Lori MortensenIllustrator: Michael Allen AustinPublisher: Clarion BooksAges: 3 - 5Cowboy Clyde is ready to sit back and relax – until he spies Dawg caked in mud. A wild goose chase ensues, leaving all of the ranch animals a little worse for wear. Gadzooks! Where to Buy? $16, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

The Great Lollipop Caper

Author & Illustrator: Dan KrallPublisher: Simon & SchusterAges:  3 - 5A cranky caper plots a mischievous plan that will have kids around the world reaching for a salty jar of capers instead of sweet suckers. But when his scheme goes awry, he must turn to his candied enemy for help. Where to Buy? $20, Simon & Schuster

25 books to read this summerPHoto: Indigo

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Chick-O-Saurus Rex

Author: Lenore JenneweinIllustrator: Daniel JenneweinPublisher: Simon & SchusterAges: 3 - 5When three barnyard bullies pick on a little chick, he’s desperate to prove that he’s just as brave as the rest of them. Despite some prehistoric evidence, he learns that size has nothing to do with courage. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

The Day the Crayons Quit

Author: Drew DaywaltIllustrator: Oliver JeffersPublisher: PhilomelAges: 3 - 5These crayons are overworked and under-appreciated – and they’re calling it quits! This charming tale features a handwritten letter from each colour voicing its concerns and the changes they expect. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

Bean Dog and Nugget: The Ball

Author & Illustrator: Charise Mericle HarperPublisher: Alfred A. KnopfAges: 6 - 8When these two quirky creatures lose their ball, they must learn to work together to come up with a creative solution to get it back. Where to Buy? $6, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

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Violet Mackerel’s Natural Habitat

Author: Anna BranfordIllustrator: Elanna AllenPublisher: AtheneumAges:  6 - 8As the youngest kid in her family, Violet knows how her new friend, a little ladybug, must feel. But the tiny creature proves to her just how important family is – especially in a crisis. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

The Meanest Birthday Girl

Author & Illustrator: Josh SchneiderPublisher: Clarion BooksAges: 6 - 8Despite Dana’s awful attitude, Anthony buys her a beautiful white elephant for her birthday. Dana is thrilled until she sees how much work it is to care for something else. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

Bink and Gollie: Best Friends Forever

Authors: Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGheeIllustrator: Tony FucilePublisher: Candlewick PressAges:  6 - 8Peculiar pals Bink and Gollie are back! While Gollie discovers her royal heritage, Bink just wants some pancakes – and maybe the new stretch-o-matic machine. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

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Kelsey Green, Reading Queen

Author: Claudia MillsIllustrator: Rob SheppersonPublisher: Farrar Straus GirouxAges: 6 - 8Kelsey is determined to win her school’s reading contest. And while she is quick to take control in her class, not everyone else is cooperating. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summer

Otis Dooda: Strange But True

Author: Ellen PotterIllustrator: David HeatleyPublisher: Feiwel and FriendsAges:  8+Moving to New York is proving to be difficult for Otis. He gets cursed by a man who lives in a potted plant and has to deal with a flatulent miniature horse in this quirky story. Where to Buy? $12, Indigo

25 books to read this summer

Icky Ricky: The Mess of Awesomeness

Author & Illustrator: Michael RexPublisher: Random HouseAges: 8+Meet fun-loving Ricky and his goofy friend Gus. These adventure seekers love to try new things, like sleepovers on the ceiling and causing an eclipse using a pair of underwear! Where to Buy? $18, Random House

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Random House

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The School for Good and Evil

Author: Soman ChainaniPublisher: HarperCollinsAges: 8+Best friends Sophie and Agatha can’t wait to begin studying at their new school, but a strange mix-up houses the girls in rival classes, and they both struggle to find their own happily ever after. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

Author: Liesl ShurtliffPublisher: Alfred A. KnopfAges: 8+Twelve-year-old Rump is desperate to discover more about his past. He soon finds himself on a dangerous quest where he must defend himself against trolls, poisoned apples, and an evil queen. Where to Buy? $15, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

Doll Bones

Author: Holly BlackPublisher: Margaret K. McElderry BooksAges: 8+When Zach, Poppy and Alice enter middle school, they decide it’s time to stop their fantasy-filled games. But when Poppy begins dreaming about a restless ghost, they must embark once more into a creepy world to bury the past. Where to Buy? $14, Indigo

25 books to read this summerPhoto: Indigo

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More of our favourite books!

25 books to read this summer

Kids of all ages will love these fun, new reads!

This article was originally published on Jun 11, 2013

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