Suggested reading for Reception: Summer term

Here are some of our favourite books that are perfect for pupils in Reception to read during the Summer term.

An illustration of a caterpillar from the front cover of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar

    by Eric Carle 

    1994 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Little fingers will love to follow the very hungry caterpillar as he munches his way through the pages of this classic, colourful, interactive picture book.

  • Tiny Tiger Says Why Can’t I?

    by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Steve Small 

    2025 2 to 5 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme
    • Early Learning

    Tiny Tiger really wants all the cake and the ice cream and he wants to live on the moon, drive the car, and wear pyjamas to school. Why can’t he do everything he wants?

  • Five Little Friends

    by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock 

    2025 2 to 5 years 

    • Interactive
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A book of fun, short poems on all kinds of themes, with accompanying actions. A useful resource for adults to help little ones develop their fine motor skills while supporting their social and emotional development. 

  • Scooter Dog

    Author-Illustrator Lo Cole 

    2025 2 to 5 years 

    • Picture books

    Eddie the dog loves to travel super fast on his scooter, but when it’s damaged in a crash, he must walk everywhere. Delightfully funny and bursting with glorious illustrations, this vibrant picture book demonstrates the benefits of occasionally slowing things down. 

  • Ribbit Rabbit

    by Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Gareth Conway 

    2026 2 to 5 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A lovely rhyming picture book about families and being different is a sweet, fun read with a nice message about acceptance and belonging. 

  • It’s Not My Cookie

    by Kael Tudor, illustrated by Ben Sanders 

    2026 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Funny

    Bear finds a delicious-looking cookie lying on the ground. The poor cookie, all alone… surely it deserves to be eaten? A lovely book about honesty, cookies and cute bears. 

  • You Choose!

    by Pippa Goodhart, illustrated by Nick Sharratt 

    2004 2 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Create your own story with this brilliant interactive book full of detailed, colourful illustrations.

  • The Snail and the Whale

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2016 2 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This book by the award-winning Gruffalo partnership is about a tiny snail who longs to see the world, and the enormous grey-blue humpback whale who gives him a lift on his tail.

  • The Tiny Seed

    by Eric Carle 

    1997 4 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    In the autumn, flower seeds are blown up in the air and across the land. Some seeds are burned by the sun while others land on ice and die.

  • Handa’s Surprise

    by Eileen Browne 

    1995 4 to 9 years 

    • Around the world
    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Glorious images of an African village convey the sights, smells and colours of the landscape, its animals and its food in a story told as much through pictures as through words.

  • The Wonder

    Author-illustrator Tom Percival 

    2026 3 to 5 years 

    • Picture books

    A picture book about how grumpy Daniel starts to notice the sweet things in life and improves his mood. 

  • Super Uma

    by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Nakul P 

    2026 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Neurodiversity

    When Super Uma notices that her usually vibrant city is losing its sparkle, she sets out to find out why. While she tries to solve the mystery with her Nani and unicorn sidekick, she learns the importance of empathy and accessibility. 

  • This Rock is Mine

    by Kaye Umansky, illustrated by Alice McKinley 

    2023 4 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A great book to open conversations about the joy of sharing and compromise with little ones – and giggle about the silliness of bickering! 

  • How Things Grow

    by Harriet Evans, illustrated by Benjamin Flouw 

    2026 4 to 7 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Non-fiction

    What came first, the chicken or the egg? Find out once and for all in this fascinating book as you explore the life cycles of seven plants and animals through interactive flaps and wheel mechanisms. 

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