Lower Primary Summer Reading Recommendations
Yesterday I provided faithful blog readers with a list of summer reading recommendations for upper primary. Now I will provide a similar list for lower primary (Years 1 to 3). There are a mix of different style of books here and books for readers of different levels. I hope you will find something for you here. As before, if you can’t find it in your local bookshop, you can order it from Martinus, Panta Rhei, Amazon or elsewhere online.
1. InvestiGators by John Patrick Green: This graphic novel series is an absolute juggernaut for child engagement. It follows two alligator secret agents who travel through the sewers solving mysteries. It is packed with puns, highly visual clues, and zero heavy text blocks. (Fantastic for Year 2 & 3)
2. Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero! by Kara West: An empowering, action-packed story about an ordinary 8-year-old girl who discovers she has actual superpowers. She gets invited to attend an after-school superhero training program. It features very short chapters, large print, and highly engaging illustrations. (Best for Year 2)
3. Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro: A brilliant mix of magical fantasy and STEM. Zoey discovers she can see magical creatures and must use the scientific method to figure out why a sick baby dragon is glowing. It features short chapters but incorporates smart, analytical text. (Best for Year 2 & 3)
4. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo: A deeply moving, gorgeously written fairy-tale-style novel about a vain china rabbit who is lost at sea and learns the true meaning of love and humility through his journeys. It is a stunning higher-stamina option that children adore. (Best for Year 3)
5. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton: A wonderfully silly, graphic-novel style early reader about a happy-go-lucky narwhal and a cynical jellyfish. Divided into short, punchy comic stories, it builds massive reading confidence with minimal text frustration. (Best for Year 2)
I hope you will find something wonderful for your child in this list to read during the summer!
