Chapin LibGuides: Summer Reading 2025: Lower School: picture books

Challah for Shabbat Tonight by Sara Holly Ackerman and Alona Millgram
A little girl and her grandmother spend Friday afternoon preparing for Shabbat by making challah. In hours full of laughter and love, they mix the ingredients, braid the dough, let it rise, and set the table, and finally, enjoy a scrumptious family dinner and the bread they made together.
Cesaria Feels the Beat by Denise Rosario Adusei and Priscila Soares
Cesaria hears the music through the soles of her feet, but no one seems to understand... That is, until all the dancers take off their shoes, and learn to feel the music, just like Cesaria. A lyrical and heartfelt story about deafness, community, and Carnival.
Frank's Red Hat by Sean E. Avery
Frank is a penguin with ideas. Mostly terrible ones. That's why his fellow penguins are nervous when he shows them his strange new creation. It was something they'd never seen or expected to see in their cold and colorless Antarctic world--a red hat.
The Band in Our Basement by Kelly J. Baptist and Jenin Mohammed
After hearing Daddy's band practicing in the basement, a brother and sister can't resist sneaking out of bed to watch them play. Careful, careful, can't be caught. Tiptoe past the squeaky spot! They long to join in the fun, but can't be seen out of bed--until the discovery of a surprise band member turns the jam session into a family affair.
Bored Panda by Mike Bender and Chuck Dillon
Come along with a tech-obsessed Panda as he goes from having a "boring" no-screens day to a joyful, out-and-about day.
Mabel Wants a Friend by Ariel Bernstein and Marc Rosenthal
Meet Mabel. She always gets what she wants. No matter what it takes. Meet Chester. He's Mabel's new friend, but... he doesn't always agree with Mabel's methods. After a disagreement, Mabel decides she's better off alone. But when Mabel starts to miss Chester, she realizes that to get what she wants most of all, she'll have to learn what it means to be a good friend.
They Call Me Teach by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
In this stirring and powerfully illustrated story, an enslaved young man uses his ability to read and write to educate others in the pursuit of freedom.
To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell
When will I find you? Where could you be? What will it take? To see an owl. Silent and wide-eyed, owls are hidden creatures of the night. Janie has always dreamed of finding one. She searches everywhere for signs of an owl. But months go by, and she sees no owls. She wonders, what will it take to see an owl?
Angélica and la Güira by Angie Cruz and Luz Batista
Angélica has spent the summer in the Dominican Republic with her tías and primas, her grandparents, and their parrot, but soon she'll have to say goodbye. The end of summer means returning home to start school on another shore. Before she leaves, her grandfather gives her a gift that has the power to make people dance as fast as the wings of a hummingbird: a güira. Angélica falls in love with this musical instrument, though nobody shares her enthusiasm at first. But on a hot, sunny day, in the land of Washington Heights, Angélica shows her neighbors the power of la güira.
Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise
Early Bird wants to be brave and protect the castle, just like Knight Owl. But she falls asleep on the job and then keeps her hero up during the day with her enthusiastic chattiness, well-meaning questions, and cheerful owl impersonations. But there are strange happenings in the forest, and soon Knight Owl and Early Bird find themselves in the throes of danger. Will these two learn to work together to keep themselves and the kingdom safe?
Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola and Barbara McClintock
Where are you, Brontë? The day you left me, I knew I would miss you. And I did. Every day, every night. But then, I knew you were right here, still with me, in my heart forever. Children's book legend Tomie dePaola tells the emotional and deeply personal story about overcoming his grief after the loss of his beloved dog, Brönte.
Nellie's Big Splash by Cori Doerrfeld
When Nellie the sea turtle hatched, she was on a beach surrounded by lots of her brothers and sisters. Soon all the other turtles joyfully ran into the ocean and swam away, but Nellie? She was too scared. The ocean was loud, it was deep, and it was unknown. She stayed on the safe, dry sand instead. But when night starts to fall and it gets too dark and cold for a tiny little sea turtle on land, Nellie realizes that if she looked past the scary crashing waves, there's actually a whole world out there, just waiting for her to jump in.
The Last Stand by Antwan Eady, Jerome Pumphrey, and Jarrett Pumphrey
Every stand has a story. This one is mine. Saturday is for harvesting. And one little boy is excited to work alongside his Papa as they collect eggs, plums, peppers and pumpkins to sell at their stand in the farmer's market. Of course, it's more than a farmer's market. Papa knows each customer's order, from Ms. Rosa's pumpkins to Mr. Johnny's peppers. And when Papa can't make it to the stand, his community gathers around him, with dishes made of his own produce.
My Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya
Salam's grandpa says that olive trees are strong and that their roots run deep in their Palestinian land. They connect everyone – from the farmer who presses the olives into oil to the baker who uses the oil in his taboon. Salam plants her own seed and is eager to see it grow. She waits... she waters... she asks the seed to hurry... until finally...a sprout! But one day soldiers come and destroy everything in their path, including Salam's new olive tree. Salam is crushed – though she doesn't have to worry. Her grandpa gathers their neighbors and, together, they plant olive trees as far as the eye can see.
Worm Makes a Sandwich by Brianne Farley
Meet Worm. He might be little. He might have no hands. But Worm would love to make a sandwich, just for you! To get started he'll need just one thing: garbage! Delicious, delectable garbage like apple cores and mushy grapes, broccoli bottoms and carrot tops, sad celery, and drippy cucumbers. Worm and his friends eat the garbage. And then they do what everyone does after they eat garbage. They poop! The poop goes in the compost and the compost goes in your garden, which is where the vegetables for your sandwich come from! Simple, right? Worm thought you'd agree. He might just need a bit of assistance along the way...
Barnaby Unboxed! by Terry Fan, Eric Fan, and Devin Fan
Meet Barnaby: he's half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo, and fully trained! When he's brought home to be cared for by his very own little girl, life is perfect... until a new, even more perfect pet comes on the scene. Suddenly Barnaby is no longer the most perfect pet around, and his little girl doesn't seem interested in him anymore. Feeling unappreciated, Barnaby runs away and finds himself swept up on a wild journey through the city and an emotional search for home in a tale of love found, lost and found again.
The Class with Wings by Paul Fleischman and Hannah Salyer
Every afternoon with their heads down and eyes closed, a fourth-grade class embarks on an imaginative migration journey alongside the bird they are studying. Guided by the voice of their teacher in the cool sanctuary of the classroom, the students travel all the way from Brazil to their hometown in Wisconsin. Along the way, they encounter weather, predators, setbacks, and loss. As their imaginations soar, the children begin to relate with their subject; they, too, need rest; have a hard time holding still; and have dodged a bully or two. At the journey's end, the class has learned much more than science and geography: they have learned to fly.
The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan
You're lucky to be safe in this cabin in the woods, with a host who is levelheaded, trustworthy, and smart about bear safety. There's certainly no need to worry about any dark shadows or sneaky schemes in this book...RIGHT?
How to Staycation Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier
Snail is an epic explorer... kind of. He loves the quiet things about adventures, like reading maps, hiking along slime trails, and collecting souvenirs. On big vacations, he finds the sights, sounds, and unfamiliar foods way too overwhelming. In fact, his favorite part of a vacation is when he gets to return to his home SHHHweet home. So, while his friends take a trip to the city, Snail and his buddy Stump decide to have an adventure in their own backyard – a staycation!
Sashiko's Stitches by Sanae Ishida
Sashiko is a young girl with very big feelings. When her mother teaches her about her namesake – the traditional Japanese practice of mending through embroidery – she finds an outlet for some of those emotions. With each stitch, the dark cloud around her lightens, until her big fears begin to feel less scary. As she heals tears in the fabric, she begins to find a sense of calm and hope.

Go and Get with Rex by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka
Jack, Jill, and Rex are excited to play a game of Go and Get! The rules are simple: on the count of three, each player must go and get something that begins with a certain letter. While Jack's and Jill's picks always fit the bill (What starts with F? Frog! Fish!), Rex keeps getting it wrong (a duck?) – or does he?
The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
There is a bright yellow bus who spends her days driving. She loves carrying children from one important place to another. Every morning they climb in... Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, giggle, giggle-patter. And they fill her with joy. As time passes, things change. The Yellow Bus gets a new driver, a new route, and new passengers, young and old. Until one day the driving stops for good, and the Yellow Bus is left on her own. And yet, no matter where she is, the Yellow Bus still finds joy and discovery in the world around her.
Just What to Do by Kyle Lukoff and Hala Tahboub
When you see someone sad, it's only natural to want to cheer them up. But how? Some people like hugs but others don't. Sometimes a joke is more comforting than a card. How can you do the just-right-thing if you don't know what it is?
Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang
When the deliverymen set off in the morning, the children wait for the flicker of pedal and wheel. It's the demae – delivery men – setting off to deliver steaming trays of noodles to hungry customers all over the city. They are acrobats: whizzing past other bicycles, soaring around curves, avoiding the black smoke of motorcycles. When the children see them, they want to be them. And so they practice with bowls of wobbling water stacked on trays. The day passes, and, finally, exhausted, the demae return home, to their families, and, yes, to steaming bowls of noodles.
Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin
Garden Glen is a very bland place. Every house and every garden looks exactly like the other. That is... until Millie Fleur La Fae comes to town.
Joyful Song by Lesléa Newman and Susan Gal
What a happy day! Zachary's baby sister will have her naming ceremony. In the temple! With his moms, the congregation, and all their friends! He's so excited he can barely contain it.
Don't Lose Mr. Cuddles by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt
Chip and his best friend Mr. Cuddles have been through a lot together, including that terrible time when Mr. Cuddles had to go in the washing machine. The two are inseparable, but now... Mr. Cuddles is GONE! Where could he be? How will Chip cope without his constant companion? And what role did Mittens the cat have in this mystery?
The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please
An aspiring chef opens a café beside an enchanted forest and discovers locals with a most peculiar palette. With a little bit of compromise, perhaps she can satisfy her customer and still serve the most delicious grub.
Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers and Rebecca Lee Kunz
Sissy's younger brother, Chooch, isn't a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does – even if he's messing something up – their parents say he's just "helping." Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything! "Hesdi!" Sissy yells. Quit it! And Chooch bursts into tears. What follows is a tender family moment that shows one Cherokee family practicing their cultural traditions that will resonate with anyone who has welcomed a new little one to the fold.
The Zebra's Great Escape by Katherine Rundell and Sara Ogilvie
Mink doesn't believe in rules. She loves letting her hair down and getting the most out of life. So when a loose zebra appears in the square where she lives – and she finds out that his parents have been captured by the evil Mr. Spit – she'll do what it takes to make sure the zebra family can run as wild and free as she does.
Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat
This nature-guide-gone-wrong is a hilarious, off-the-rails exploration of the seemingly innocent animals that live in the water.
Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend by Bob Shea
When a turtle in a bear suit claims he is a "for-real" bear, he must prove himself to another turtle who just so happens to be a for-real bear expert. Hilarity ensues as Bearsuit Turtle proves he can climb trees, hibernate, and do other for-real bear stuff . . . like riding bikes, eating ice cream, and smashing pumpkins. But when Bear-Expert Turtle reveals a secret, Bearsuit Turtle has to admit a truth of his own. Whether or not these two turtles are for-real bears or experts, they just might become for-real friends.
My Daddy Is a Cowboy by Stephanie Seales and C. G. Esperanza
In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride. Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy – strong and confident in who she is.
Being Home by Traci Sorell and Michaela Goade
Today is a day of excitement: it's time to move! As a young Cherokee girl says goodbye to the swing, the house, and the city she's called home her whole life, she readies herself for the upcoming road trip. While her mother drives, the girl draws the changing landscape outside her window. She looks forward to the end of the journey, where she'll eat the feast her family has prepared, play in the creek with her cousins, and settle into the new rhythm of home.
One Small Spark by Ruth Spiro and Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Imagine the world you want to live in. If it's not the world you see, will you create it? So begins a young girl's journey to solve a problem she notices one rainy day while walking to school. In that moment, the small spark inside her grows and then connects her to others who are inspired to make a change and help the world become a better place. This lyrical and very personal text with breathtaking and imaginative illustrations explores the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or taking part to repair the world.
I Have Three Cats... by Michelle Sumovich and Laura Park
I have three cats: Big, Little, and Middle. But that one over there? She's not mine. Not at all. This new kitty is a little smelly and covered in fleas – who would want a cat like that? Besides I already has three cats, and they're not too keen on this newcomer either. But day by day and season by season, the new cat comes back, and we warm to the new furry face in their yard. Before we know it, the new cat isn't so new – she's part of the family.
I Would Give You My Tail by Tanya Tagaq and Qavavau Manumie
A young boy, Kalluk, leaves his camp to tell his grandmother that his mother is about to have a baby. Along the way, Kalluk meets different animals and he asks them why they are so happy. The rabbits say they love to be fast enough to outrun the fox and clever enough to know when to hide. They are happy to protect each other from the winter wind: 'I'd give you my tail if I could!' they say. A mother fox tells the boy her pups make her happy and her pups say their mother makes them happy: 'We would give her our tails if we could!' they say. Even the river and the wind have reasons to be happy. On the trip back, Kalluk and his grandmother talk about happiness, peace and choices. And when waiting inside is a new baby sister! Holding her in his arms, Kalluk discovers a new reason to be thankful.
The Paper Bridge by Joelle Veyrenc and Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Anya lives in a paper village, among delicate paper trees and paper houses, where the people are paper-light. When dangerous winds blow through the village of Paperlee, Anya crafts a kirigami paper bridge to cross the chasm to meet the strangers who live there and discover how to save her home.
Mr. Lepron's Mystery Soup by Giovanna Zoboli and Mariachiara Di Giorgio
Mr. Lepron is a rabbit who lives in a cozy burrow with many offspring. Every year on the first day of autumn, he reaps vegetables from the farmer's garden and makes the best soup on earth, adored by his family and so good that it starts drawing creatures from all over – until one day a factory springs up in the woods, with Mr. Lepron presiding day and night and soup cans for sale in all the most renowned shops. But as demand rises, Mr. Lepron's starts hearing complaints: his soup is not as good as it was. Has his recipe changed? Or has Mr. Lepron? How can he recapture the joy he once shared with his family?