Books for Early Elementary Readers

Books for Early Elementary Readers
Age Level: 6-8 Years

The latest and greatest.

The surest way to raise a book lover is to consistently introduce your child to stories they will love. Early childhood is easy; storytime is snuggly, picture books are charming, and the quantity of available books is seemingly infinite. But early elementary is much harder, and finding a book that suits your child’s age, reading level, and interests can be challenging. To help ensure that reading remains a beloved pastime in your household, I’m sharing 3 series that will hook your independent reader.

(Note: These books are best suited for children in grades 1-3, depending on reading level.)

Kitten Construction Company: If your child loved planes, trains, and automobiles in their early years, they’ll devour the 2 books in the Kitten Construction Company series. Told in graphic novel form, the books are about a group of kittens who defy expectations and prove to the humans in their town that they are expert builders.

April & Mae: This brand new 7-book series isn’t fully published yet (3 of the titles will be released on March 12th) but it’s worth starting now. The series focuses on friendship and each book features a different scenario that requires April and Mae to either resolve a conflict or provide each other with emotional support. I’m always excited about diversity in children’s literature so I applaud that April is Black and Mae is Asian American.

Claude: Families who loved Clifford the Big Red Dog will adore this 21-book series featuring a pup named Claude. Each book follows a simple formula: when Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes leave for work, Claude and his sidekick embark on an adventure. The storytelling is funny and eccentric, and the books are helpfully divided into easily digestible chapters.