Tanglewood Moms’ Summer Reading for Kids and Teens 2026
Last week, we published a list of new books perfect for summertime reading.

This week, we’re doing the same, except for your kiddos. These are books that are guaranteed to capture imaginations, expand worldviews, keep screentime to a minimum, and maybe even teach a little! We’ve divided this list into age groups, and these choices should be available at your local, independent bookseller and your local library!

AGES 3-5
- Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
- Mouse’s Wood written and illustrated by Alice Melvin
- The Dino Door by Josh Funk, illustrated by Renée Kurilla
- Dad by Christian Robinson (GREAT for a Father’s Day gift!)
- Bear for a Day written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
- Kindergarten Gets Ready by Naomi Danis, illustrated by Pete Oswald
- Otter’s New Neighbors written and illustrated Li Xingming, translated by Shan Chen
- The Bookshop by Hiba Noor Khan, illustrated by Julian Ariza
- Just a Shell… or Is It? By Becca McMurdie, illustrated by Paola Escobar

AGES 6-8
- My Big Book of Texas: All That’s Great About the Lone Star State written and illustrated by C.S. Jennings
- What If? Tell a New Story Every Time by Tom Schamp
- Ottonline Goes to School by Chris Riddell
- I Told a Little Lie written and illustrated by Judith Henderson
- When I’m a Moshom by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill
- Seahorse Is Furious and There’s Nothing You Can Do About It written and illustrated by Morag Hood
- A Room with a View by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Thais Mesquita

AGES 9-12
- Cotton and the Shadow of Memory Creek by Carolyn Christian
- The Filoli Fiasco by Advik Arun
- The Marsh Fellows by Anna-Laura Sullivan
- A Wish with Wings by Sarah Guillory
- Dante N. Ferno: Camp Catastrophe by Brian Gordon
- Camp Big Top by Alexandra Diaz
- Berserkers by M. A. Larson
- The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell

TEENS and YA
- Behind Five Willows by June Hur
- In the Country I Love by Alaa Al-Barkawi
- Gentlest of Things by Sarah Underwood
- Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran
- Below by Jason Chabot
- Murphy’s Law for Teens: Modern Life Principles and Lessons by Emily Carter
- This Is How I Look When I’m Ignoring You by M. T. Raiser
- Beyond the Mirage by Vella Karman
- Rogue Spells by Melinda Kucsera
- A Garden of Dragons by C. Lynmore


