Written by Becky, Carlene and Pascale (Youth Services Department)
One of the best ways to keep kids reading over the summer is to find books that they are excited about! Kick off your summer reading with these fiction and nonfiction staff favourites for elementary kids.
This sci-fi spin on the classic tune Old MacDonald Had a Farm reimagines the farmer and his animals getting abducted by an alien’s spaceship. The verses are altered to reflect the chaos the animals inflict onboard the spaceship, and kids will still love singing out E-I-UFO! A great book for kids who’d enjoy a humorous twist on a familiar song.
Two duck friends want to buy a boat, so they open a taco truck at the beach to make some money but are thwarted by the competition when Goose shows up and all the customers flock to buy his fries and falafel. Will the ducks accept Goose's offer to team up, or will this food fight end in disaster? This is a fun, quick (quack) read about putting aside pride to help someone in need.
A gorgeous exploration of the many forms of life housed by a coral reef, set in a charming story of a young boy snorkelling alongside his father. Coral shrimp, an octopus, moray eels, a nurse shark and more entice the boy to stay out for hours, marvelling at the wonders to be seen. Once the outing is over, the memories of the day’s adventures remain vibrant in the boy’s mind as he falls asleep.
Wildlife Rescue: How to Save an Otter
Ivy and Ezra work with their parents as "critter couriers," volunteers who transport injured and orphaned animals to the local wildlife hospital. When Ivy discovers a baby river otter with an injured leg, she helps the otter heal enough to be reunited with its family. At the same time, she takes on a project for the wildlife hospital to organize a towel drive and struggles to make new friends after her cousins move away. This is a great early chapter book series for animal lovers.
A magical romp through global folklore featuring legendary creatures such as the dragon and the unicorn, but also including lesser-known creatures including the Makara or the Barong, who have one-of-a-kind powers to stretch the boundaries of your imagination and inspire new stories.
Jack Daring is just trying to survive sixth grade when a mischievous cat-like creature called a Hullabaloo attaches itself to him, causing chaos in his life. He'll need the support of his classmates and their own Hullabaloos to learn how to adapt to his new normal. This humorous graphic novel is great for fans of the Four Eyes series and Raina Telgemeier.
When Chloe's uncle dies of an apparent secret illness, he leaves his grey parrot, Charlie, as her only inheritance in his will. Soon Chloe hears Charlie speaking odd phrases: It was murder! Cyanide! Together with her family, Chloe begins to investigate the parrot's claims, and along the way finds more questions than answers. This is a fun family mystery that also explores grief.
Featuring astronomy with a twist reminiscent of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, this book will captivate fact-loving kids with little-known quirks of the universe. Prepare to discover zombie planets, star systems that threaten to explode, moons cloaked in gas that smells like rotten eggs, and much more.
Mika discovers the Filipino legends her grandmother told her were true when she accidentally casts a spell in Ilustra Forest. Can she and her friends reverse the spell in time to save the world? This colourful graphic novel is an excellent choice for Amulet and Percy Jackson fans or kids who love books combining fantasy with mythology from around the world.
Looking for even more amazing books?
- Pick out some exciting summer reads at our Book Your Summer Reading Adventure programs.
- Use our Next 5 Reads service to get personalized suggestions.
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