Summer Reading Challenge 2026 - (Kinder- 4th)

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  • I Am Every Good Thing

    by Derrick Barnes

    $18.99

    Ages 3-7

    The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and no doubt he'll see them through--as he's creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he's afraid, because he's so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you--and shows you--who they are. There are superheroes in our midst!

  • Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country 

    by Atinuke

    $21.99

    A Nigerian storyteller explores the continent of Africa country by country: its geography, peoples, animals, history, resources, and cultural diversity. The book is divided into five distinct sections—South, East, West, Central, and North—and each country is showcased on its own bright, energetic page brimming with friendly facts on science, industry, food, sports, music, wildlife, landscape features, even snippets of local languages. The richest king, the tallest sand dunes, and the planet’s largest waterfall all make appearances along with drummers, cocoa growers, inventors, balancing stones, salt lakes, high-tech cities, and nomads who use GPS!

  • Hello There, Sunshine
    $21.99

    "Hello there, sunshine!"

    Every morning, young Tabitha wakes up and greets the sun. She loves how it brings everyone JOY. But one day she wakes up and the sun is missing! So Tab hops on her strawberry shortcake bike with her puppy in tow and makes it her business to find the sun.

    Can she do it? Or will Tabitha find out that sometimes the shine we're looking for is inside of us?

    A perfect pick for fans of What Do You Do with an Idea?, You Matter, and Just Because, Brown’s debut is a marvelous read-aloud and a great gift that will remind the youngest reader to always stay positive. 

  • City Summer, Country Summer

    Kiese Laymon & Alexis Franklin

    $18.99

    A lyrical picture book from the award-winning author of Heavy, about three Black boys who form a deep connection during a transformative summer trip down South to visit family.

    On the ground of that garden, covered in vegetables and dirt, coated in laughter, I want to say that the Mississippi and New York in our Black boy bodies were indistinguishable.

    Three Black boys spend one special summer exploring the Mississippi woods and woulds and coulds of sharing the kind of freeing friendship that is love.

    Watched over and given space to discover by Grandmama and Mama Lara, New York, Country, and little C find camaraderie in their contrasts and all the unspoken things between them while playing games of marco polo in the thick garden and sledding on cardboard by the underpass.

    With text brimming with love by award-winning author Kiese Laymon and deeply evocative illustrations by Ashley Franklin, City Summer, Country Summer illuminates the tenuous and tender bonds of friendship Black boys forge with one another.

  • Afro Unicorn: A Magical Parade (Step into Reading)

    by April Showers

    $5.99

    The Afro Unicorns are on parade! Magical, Unique, and Divine celebrate inclusivity and friendship as they bring all the Afro Unicorns together to celebrate the annual Festival of Crowns.

    The Festival of Crowns is one of the biggest gatherings of the year in Afronia, and everyone is excited to march in the big parade to celebrate.

    But when a last-minute problem puts the parade in jeopardy, the three best friends work together to find a solution.

    When Afro Unicorn creator April Showers realized that her favorite emoji—the unicorn!—was only available in white, she was inspired to create a more inclusive brand for children of color to celebrate how magical, unique, and divine they truly are.

    Don’t miss the other books in the Afro Unicorn series—
    The Most Magical Time of the Year!
    Divine Makes a Splash
    We Are Afro Unicorns
    You Are a Unicorn!
    A Magical Day

    Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired picture clues help children decode the story.

  • A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way

    Stacey Allen and Brynne Henry(Illustrator)

    $20.00

    Nia, is a young girl who loves learning about dance but is a bit too shy to really get our there. In "A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way," readers follow her journey falling in love with dancing and finding her voice despite her initial hesitation.

  • Bedtime Bonnet

    by Nancy Redd

    $18.99

    In my family, when the sun goes down, our hair goes up!

    My brother slips a durag over his locs.
    Sis swirls her hair in a wrap around her head.
    Daddy covers his black waves with a cap.
    Mama gathers her corkscrew curls in a scarf.
    I always wear a bonnet over my braids, but tonight I can’t find it anywhere!

    Bedtime Bonnet gives readers a heartwarming peek into quintessential Black nighttime hair traditions and celebrates the love between all the members of this close-knit, multi-generational family.

  • Juneteenth

    by Van G. Garrett

    Sold out

    A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas—the birthplace of Juneteenth—through the eyes of a child coming to understand their place in Black American history in a story from three Texan creators.

    A young Black child experiences the magic of the Juneteenth parade for the first time with their family as they come to understand the purpose of the party that happens every year—and why they celebrate their African American history!

    The poetic text includes selected lyrics from “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the unofficial Black National Anthem, and the vibrant art illuminates the beauty of this moment of Black joy celebrated across the nation. This vibrant adventure through the city streets invites young readers to make a joyful noise about freedom for all.

  • BIG

    by Vashti Harrison

    $19.99

    The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning creator Vashti Harrison traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel invisible at the same time.

  • Bugs (A Day in the Life): What Do Bees, Ants, and Dragonflies Get up to All Day?

    by Dr. Jessica L. Ware

    $16.99

    *ships in 7 - 10 business days*

    A beautifully illustrated nonfiction story about insects, following bees, ants, dragonflies, and more over the course of one day.

    Set over a 24-hour period, meet busy honey bees, transforming caterpillars, and an army of leafcutter ants in this kids’ nonfiction book about the coolest insects on Earth.

    Follow bugs as they fly, hunt, hide, and scuttle their way through their day. Bug expert Dr. Jessica L. Ware introduces insects in the style of a nature documentary, with simple science explanations perfect for future zoologists. Witness incredible moments including:

    • A dragonfly escaping a hungry frog
    • A shield bug looking after her newly-hatched babies
    • A gigantic comet moth with superpowered wings

    Packed with animal facts, Bugs (A Day in the Life) is part of an exciting new series of animal books from Neon Squid.

    Also available: Big Cats (A Day in the Life)

  • Big Cats (A Day in the Life): What Do Lions, Tigers, and Panthers Get up to All Day?

    by Tyus D. Williams

    Sold out

    *ships/ready for pick up in 5-8 business days

    A beautifully illustrated nonfiction story, following lions, cheetahs, tigers, panthers, mountain lions, and snow leopards over the course of one day.

    Set over a 24-hour period, meet sparring snow leopards, sprinting cheetahs, and slumbering jaguars in this kids’ nonfiction book about the biggest cats on Earth.

    Follow the lives of individual big cats as they roar, hunt, fight, and play their way through the day. Wildlife expert Tyus D. Williams cleverly weaves the story from leopard to mountain lion in the style of a nature documentary, including gentle science explanations perfect for future zoologists. Witness incredible moments including:

    • A panther hunting a crocodile
    • Cheetah cubs play fighting
    • A battle between lionesses and hyenas

    Packed with animal facts, Big Cats (A Day in the Life) is one of the first titles in an exciting new series of animal books from Neon Squid.

    Also available: Bugs (A Day in the Life)

  • Brown Girl, Brown Girl

    by Leslé Honoré

    $18.99

    This powerful and hopeful picture book—inspired by the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris—celebrates brown and Black girls and is magnificently illustrated by a Caldecott Honor-winning artist.

    Brown girl, brown girl, what did you see? 
    A world that sees my skin before it sees me. 

    Based on a viral poem by Blaxican poet and activist Leslé Honoré, and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, this moving journey through the past, present, and future of brown and Black girls is a celebration of community, creativity, and joy—and offers a reminder of the history that inspires hope, and the hope that inspires activism.

    Praise for Brown Girl, Brown Girl:

    ✭ "Warmly, brilliantly welcoming—and not to be missed." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

  • Bedtime for Sweet Creatures

    by Nikki Grimes

    $17.99

    Nikki Grimes, Coretta Scott King Award winning author, and illustrator Elizabeth Zunon's latest children's masterpiece creates an imagination-fueled journey to bedtime.

    Your bookshelf is noisy with stories.
    "Which one?" I ask.
    You point, frozen like a fawn
    until you hear "Once upon a time."

    It's bedtime, but Mommy's little boy is not sleepy.

    He growls like a bear, he questions like an owl, he tosses his mane like a lion. He hunts for water like a sly wolf, and hides like a snake.

  • Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

    by Vashti Harrison

    $16.99

    Featuring 18 trailblazing black women in American history, Dream Big, Little One is the irresistible board book adaptation of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.

    Among these women, you’ll find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things – bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. Whether they were putting pen to paper, soaring through the air or speaking up for the rights of others, the women profiled in these pages were all taking a stand against a world that didn’t always accept them.

    The leaders in this book may be little, but they all did something big and amazing, inspiring generations to come.

  • Dear Black Boy

    by Martellus Bennett

    Sold out

    Dear Black Boy is a letter of encouragement to all of the black boys around the world who feel like sports are all they have. It is a reminder that they are more than athletes, more than a jersey number, more than a great crossover or a forty-yard dash, that the biggest game that they’ll ever play is the game of life. The same things that make these strong beautiful black boys great on whatever playing surface they choose are the same things that will propel them forward in life: mental toughness, dedication, passion, determination, and effort are all things that carry over into the game of life. With the right preparation, every Black Boy can win.

  • Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History

    By Vashti Harrison

    Sold out

    *Ships in 7-10 business days*

    An important book for readers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history. Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include writer James Baldwin, artist Aaron Douglas, filmmaker Oscar Devereaux Micheaux, lawman Bass Reeves, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, and musician Prince.

  • Change Sings: A Children's Anthem

    by Amanda Gorman

    $18.99

    "I can hear change humming


    In its loudest, proudest song.

    I don't fear change coming,

    And so I sing along."

    In this stirring, much-anticipated picture book by inaugural Youth Poet Laureate and activist Amanda Gorman, anything is possible when our voices join together. As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes-big or small-in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves.

  • Afro Unicorn: The Land of Afronia, Vol. 1

    by April Showers, Anthony Conley, Ronaldo Barata, and Terrance Crawford

    $12.99

    Afronia is known for being bright and colorful, but what happens when a disgraced unicorn wants to take the color away? Join unicorn best friends Divine and Unique as they journey to save Afronia in this all-new, action-packed graphic novel that celebrates Black joy and beauty. 

    Welcome to the mystical land of Afronia, where life is good and full of color. The Afro Unicorns can't wait to celebrate the annual Festival of Crowns. But on the way to the festival, Divine and Unique come across Castle Monotonic, which is home to the mysterious Madame Imperious who wants to drain all the color from Afronia. Madame Imperious has already started draining the color from a young Afrosaurus. It's up to Unique and Divine to save Afronia and the Afrosaurus. Otherwise, their magical land might be doomed . . . FOREVER!

    This full-color graphic novel is great for young readers beginning their graphic novel journey and graphic novel enthusiasts alike. It also features a Dyslexia-friendly font.

    When Afro Unicorn creator April Showers realized that her favorite emoji—the unicorn!—was only available in white, she was inspired to create a more inclusive brand for children of color to celebrate how magical, unique, and divine they truly are.

  • A Kids Book About Juneteenth

    by Garrison Hayes

    $19.99

    Our history echoes with events which, over time, have become hidden, yet are important to all of us. Juneteenth is a celebration which recognizes the end of the enslavement of Black people in America. This book opens a door to understanding our history and celebrating our future―together.

    Meet A Kids Co., a new kind of media company with a collection of beautifully designed books that kickstart challenging, empowering, and important conversations for kids and their grownups. Learn more about us at akidsco.com.

  • A Fairy Finds Her Song: Ready-to-Read Level 1 (Fairies Welcome)

    Bea Jackson

    Sold out

    A fairy searches for her special skill in this enchanting Level 1 Ready-to-Read in the Fairies Welcome series from New York Times bestselling illustrator Bea Jackson.

    Every fairy has a talent except Lily…or so she thinks. Her human friend, Willow, knows how special Lily truly is. Can she help Lily see that, too, and find her gift?

  • A Child's Introduction to Jazz: The Musicians, Culture, and Roots of the World's Coolest Music

    by Jabari Asim & Jerrard K Polk

    $19.99

    Get ready to swing with A Child’s Introduction to Jazz, an interactive journey into one of the richest and most soulful music genres in the world. Listen while you learn with QR codes that will connect you to the instruments and musical flair of jazz. 

    Welcome to jazz! Feel the music and rhythms of all the different styles of jazz, from swing and Dixieland to the blues and bebop, with this interactive introduction to the world’s coolest music.

    Author Jabari Asim will take you on the journey through the history of jazz as you discover the most important musicians and singers while hearing some really cool sounds. You’ll learn all about the roots of jazz in Africa and New Orleans and how the music traveled to different parts of the United States and around the world. Along the way you’ll meet legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong, who shaped a new form of jazz called improvisation; pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington, who helped create the big band sound of the swing era; and the singer Billie Holiday, whose songs such as “God Bless the Child,” “Don’t Explain,” and “Lady Sings the Blues” have become jazz standards.

    Listen along to the sounds of jazz by downloading music and hearing instruments such as trumpets, clarinets, trombones, and even singers scatting as they improvise melodies. With a pull-out poster showing the different instruments of jazz, A Child’s Introduction to Jazz hits the perfect beat and will have you bebopping and scatting in no time!

  • Nell Plants a Tree

    by Anne Wynter

    Sold out

    This stunning, poetic picture book shows how one little girl’s careful tending of a pecan tree creates the living center of a loving, intergenerational Black family.

    Before her grandchildren climbed the towering tree,

    explored its secret nests,

                           raced to its sturdy trunk,

                                       read in its cool shade,

                           or made pies with its pecans . . .

    Nell buried a seed.

    And just as, with Nell’s love and care, her tree grows and thrives—so do generations of her close-knit family.

    Inspired by the pecan trees of her own childhood, Anne Wynter’s lyrical picture book, brought to life with gorgeous illustrations by Daniel Miyares, brims with wonder and love.

  • Brown Baby Jesus: A Picture Book

    by Dorena Williamson

    $15.99

    Celebrate Christmas with this unique retelling of the Nativity story featuring Jesus as a melanated baby in a story that’s rich with Scripture, historical accuracy, and a multicultural weaving of love—from the author of Crowned with Glory.

    Like Moses, brown baby Jesus would be a deliverer. Like Rahab, brown baby Jesus would save His people from destruction. Like David, brown baby Jesus would rule as a great king. Like the colorful threads that make up a beautiful cloth, Brown Baby Jesus brings together the characters and stories leading to Jesus—showing how God included many races and nations in the story we celebrate each year.

    With an unconventional Christmas setting of Egypt and written in sweet, lyrical prose, Brown Baby Jesus is sure to become a holiday classic embraced by families of all races and backgrounds.

  • Down on the Bayou

    Glenda Armand

    $18.99

    From the award-winning creators of Ice Cream Man and Good Things comes a journey through the mystical world of the Louisiana Bayou. Follow along as a young boy learns about the environment and the history of the bayou while on a boat ride with his grandpa. This stunning picture book features sidebars with fun facts and snippets of a poem woven throughout the narrative.

    The bayou’s calling out to me.
    “Come back, my son,” it says. “Come see.”
    What holds me back, I do not know,
    But I promised, and so I’ll go.

    While Troy is on vacation in Louisiana, his grandpa has promised to take him down to the bayou. Grandpa explains that the bayou is not only a shallow, slow-moving, muddy river—but also so much more.

    When the time finally comes, Troy and Grandpa climb into Uncle Joe’s pirogue and set off on a unique adventure that stirs up Grandpa's memories and Troy's imagination. Grandpa shares stories about their enslaved ancestors who escaped to the bayou, the ghosts who rise from the moss, and a chorus of creatures that sing around them.

    At the end of the day, Grandpa gives Troy a notebook so that he can write about everything the bayou has taught him, or even compose beautiful poems like Grandpa’s. Troy discovers that there is so much to learn about the legends, history, flora and fauna, and yourself, down on the bayou.

    Award-winning author Glenda Armand's inviting and informational text along with illustrator Alleanna Harris's lush illustrations capture the young protagonist's imaginative perspective, the lovely bond between a grandfather and grandson, the power of poetry, and the beauty and history of the bayou.

  • Another

    by Christian Robinson

    $17.99

    In his eagerly anticipated debut as author-illustrator, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honoree Christian Robinson brings young readers on a playful, imaginative journey into another world.

    What if you
    encountered another perspective?
    Discovered another world?
    Met another you?

    What might you do?

  • Juneteenth Is

    Natasha Tripplett

    Sold out

    An intimate look at Juneteenth, this story is a warm exploration of a family and a community. 

    Juneteenth is the smell of brisket filling the air. Juneteenth is the sounds of music, dancing, and cheering ringing from the parade outside. It is love. It is prayer. It is friends and relatives coming together to commemorate freedom, hope for tomorrow, and one another.

    This book is an ode to the history of the Black community in the United States, a tribute to Black joy, and a portrait of familial love. With poignant text and vivid illustrations, Juneteenth Is offers a window and a mirror for readers, resonating with kids who will see themselves reflected in its pages and those who hope to understand experiences beyond their own.

    CELEBRATES BLACK JOY: At its root, this is a story of family and community. Vibrant illustrations capture the warmth and unity of Black families and Black communities in a portrait of beautiful joy.

    REMEMBERING A LEGACY: Both a story of celebration and a commemoration of freedom, this book honors a past of struggle, resilience, and triumph. It recognizes Juneteenth not just as a holiday but as a cultural legacy. An author’s note also explains the significance of the color red to Juneteenth—its use as a symbol of African American endurance and the ways Black communities weave the color into modern-day celebrations through food and clothing.

    BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY: Juneteenth marks an undeniable truth of American history and remains a cultural touchstone for many Black Americans, making it important for all Americans to understand. Much-needed in this time of growing representation and discussion about equity and social justice, this book is a strong resource for parents and educators seeking to introduce Black history and encourage respectful conversations.

    Perfect for:
    * Anyone looking for diverse picture books
    * Teachers and librarians
    * Gift-giving for Juneteenth celebrations, Black History Month, or classroom bookshelf

  • Frogs (A Day in the Life): What Do Frogs, Toads, and Tadpoles Get Up to All Day?

    by Dr. Itzue W. Caviedes-Solis

    $16.99

    A gripping story set over twenty-four hours where readers will come face-to-face with the most amazing frogs and toads in the world, written by expert Dr. Itzue W. Caviedes-Solis.

    Set over a twenty-four-hour period, meet poisonous tree frogs, see-through glass frogs, and frogs that can freeze their own blood in this kids’ nonfiction book about the coolest amphibians in the world.

    Journey into the rainforest to follow frogs as they dance, hunt, and fight their way through their day. Frog scientist and conservationist Dr. Itzue W. Caviedes-Solis tells the story of the world’s most amazing frogs and toads in the style of a nature documentary, including gentle science explanations of topics such as metamorphosis that are perfect for future biologists. Witness incredible moments including a Wolverine frog that "shoots" its bones out from beneath its skin and a frog that absorbs frogspawn into its own skin!

  • Chichi and Didi Love Their Names

    Peace Amadi

    $13.99

    Perfect for back-to-school, this empowering and joyous picture book shows kids the importance of loving your name, having pride in your culture, and standing up for yourself.

    Nigerian American sisters Chichi and Didi are ready for the first day of school! But after Chichi is teased for her "different" name, she comes home feeling discouraged.

    Daddy and Mama tell the sisters the stories behind their names, helping Chichi return to school with her head held high.

    Inspired by the childhood experiences of real-life sisters Peace Amadi and Ndidi Amadi, Chichi and Didi Love Their Names will teach readers:

    * to be curious about the origin and meanings of their own names
    * the importance of identity and saying names correctly
    * the beauty in celebrating difference and taking pride in uniqueness

  • Lily's Dream: A Fairy Friendship
    Sold out

    A flightless fairy befriends a human girl and discovers her magic in this enchanting picture book from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Parker Looks Up.

    Lily is a young fairy determined to learn to fly just like the others who soar on shimmering, jeweled-colored wings, but she’s worried her own colorless wings will never lift her off the ground. Then she meets a young girl named Willow who helps her not only discover her special magic, but the truly magical gift of friendship.

  • Gracie’s Corner: Today Is Gonna Be a Great Day!

    Gracie's Corner

    $14.99

    Get grooving, moving, and learning with Gracie’s Corner!

    Gracie and friends say good morning and get ready for the day! Inspired by the megapopular “Good Morning Song,” kids will love following along with Gracie as she brushes her teeth, fluffs her hair, and starts her day with a BIIIG smile on her face! The perfect get-ready anthem for any—and every—day.

    Features a helpful Good Morning guide in the back to break morning routines down into easy-to-follow steps!

    * Upbeat and inspirational, this is the perfect picture book to get kids excited for their mornings and to start their days on a positive note!
    * First of its kind Gracie’s Corner picture book adaptation is perfect to read (or sing!) along with your child’s favorite Gracie’s Corner YouTube video!  
    * Turn everyday routines—like teeth brushing, hair combing, and more!—into fun for kids with this bright and colorful picture book.
    * Created by family team Graceyn, Javoris, and Arlene Hollingsworth,Gracie’s Corner focuses on centering children of color in the edutainment industry and making learning a fun, positive experience.

  • A Black Girl and Her Braids
    $18.99

    Based on the viral poem, braids of all lengths, looks, parts, and styles are explored and cheered on in this vibrant picture book celebrating the versatility of Black hair.

    Join author Jaylene Clark Owens as she pens an ode to Black girls and braids, a dynamic duo. This empowering picture book shines a light on what braids mean to Black girls of all ages and shows how Black communities have managed to continuously make space for braids, paying homage to their origins while making fun and futuristic styles, despite rules and regulations attempting to condemn them. Braids of all lengths, colors, and styles are brought to life with detailed illustrations from Brittney Bond, crafting a timeless book which honors creativity, encourages confidence, and calls for Black girls to proudly show off their braids no matter what!

  • Garden Day! (Step into Reading)

    Candice Ransom

    $5.99

    A welcome-to-spring Step 1 reader featuring the family from Pumpkin Day!, Apple Picking Day!, and Snow Day!

    It's springtime, and the perfect day to plant a garden! The brother and sister from Pumpkin Day!, Apple Picking Day!, and Snow Day! return and plant peas in their backyard. Read along as they dig holes, water the plants, and build a scarecrow with their parents! Easy-to-follow rhyme ensures a successful reading experience, and bright, fun art enhances the story.

    Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.

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