With technology running rampant, it is difficult to help young kids develop a love for reading. Unlike technology, reading is a slow and sometimes difficult process that does not have the same instant gratification as switching on a video game or tuning into social media. Fortunately, if you nurture the love for reading at a young age, kids will have a much better time learning and loving a good, old-fashioned book later in life.
1. How to Catch an Elf, by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
The holidays are right around the corner. Whether you use it as a read-aloud before bed or stuff it under the tree, any 7-year-old will love reading how crafty children worldwide have attempted (and failed) at catching this slick little elf.
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2. My Weird School Series, by Dan Gutman
These short, but digestible chapter books are the perfect option for kids that love to be silly! Start with one or gift your kids with the whole series – either way they will soon become their favorite books!
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3. The Night Before Halloween, by Natasha Wing
Add this adorable read to your collection of holiday reads for 7-year-olds. The Night Before Halloween offers gentle humor and includes high-interest content with ghosts and goblins as the main characters. Independent readers will love the rhythmic text and colorful illustrations.
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4. Grumpy Monkey Oh No Christmas, by Suzanne Lang
In this story, poor Jim can’t shake the feeling that Christmas isn’t all that great until he starts focusing on the good that surrounds him. This story presents real experiences children often face when dealing with problems beyond their control and gives them a way to refocus.
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5. The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure, by Doreen Cronin
Put The Chicken Squad on your child’s shelf and watch how this quickly becomes a beloved chapter book series. These chickens continuously go on epic adventures that have them solving mysteries and fighting crime. The series is perfect for independent readers.
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6. My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish, by Mo O’Hara
When Tom zaps his goldfish back to life, he gets more than he bargained for and loves every minute of it. This series of high-interest content books give kids a little gentle humor to get them reading and not wanting to put the books down.
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7. Keena Ford and the Second Grade Mix-Up, by Melissa Thomson
Characters in books can allow students to see a reflection of themselves, and Keena Ford is no different. Like many other kids, she makes a mistake that she wonders if she can fix, and be forgiven for on the first day of school. Will she be forgiven?
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8. Ferocious Fluffity: A Mighty-Bitey Class Pet, by Erica S. Perl
1st-grade and 2nd-grade students will love this hysterical book as they hear how this adorable hamster becomes a nightmare class pet! Will they be able to get Fluffity back into his cage before he bites everything in his path?
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9. Marshall Mellow, by J.J. Landis
Stories about friendship always capture young readers. Marshall is a marshmallow who somehow ends up falling off of his grocery store shelf. Discover how Marshall ends up making his way home through gentle humor and with the support of a host of friends.
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10. Narwhal and Jelly Series, by Ben Clanton
Narwhal and Jelly star in this graphic series that will be a perfect addition to add high-interest content in your child’s library. The only thing these two silly critters have in common is a love for waffles and adventure.
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11. Diary of a Pug Series, by Kyla May
Lower elementary-aged readers will enjoy this adorable series, all written from the perspective of a pug. Pug is great for independent reading and gets even the most reluctant readers interested in the idea of chapter books.
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12. Cats Don’t Like That, by Andy Wortlock
If you are a cat owner, you know cats are finicky creatures. This hysterical book will have kids and adults rolling with laughter as it bluntly and poetically tells what cats don’t like.
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13. Durkee the Burpy Turkey, Independently Published
Kids love a little bit of potty humor, and Durkee gives them just that. This is a festive tale just in time for Thanksgiving that will appeal to the younger elementary grades.
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14. Turkey’s Escape Plan, by Julia Zheng
When it comes to stories about friendship, this is an adorable Thanksgiving read for elementary grades. Turkey’s escape plan outlines just how this sweet little gobbler is going to get out of becoming Thanksgiving dinner.
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15. Pizza and Taco Series, by Stephen Shaskan
High-interest content like this hilarious series really helps kids develop a love of reading because they are able to focus on the magical experience of food that is alive and forget that they’re actually reading!
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16. My Favorite Spooky Stories Box Set, by Various Authors
The I Can Read series presents a set of 5 Spooky, yet silly, stories for kids to practice their comprehension skills. There is always that group of kids who love a little something that makes them feel a little spooked.
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17. The Funniest Jokes for 7-Year-Olds, by Macmillan Children’s Books
Every kid loves a good joke! Help get their funny bone tingling with this book chocked full of jokes to tell their friends. Help them take a break from chapter books with this short read that they can read in full or in part.
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18. 7-Minute Stories for 7-Year-Olds, by Meridith Costain
7-year olds attention spans aren’t typically long. If you’re interested in getting them to sit still for a story, this compilation of stories is the perfect starting point. Kids will love this adorable collection!
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19. The Sour Grape, by Jory John
Teach social skills with the help of this adorable grape- The Sour Grape. He learns about holding grudges and how they aren’t a positive thing. Kids will love the adorable illustrations and the lesson in this sweet story.
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20. My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY, by Dawn McMillan
Elementary-aged readers will find this book hilarious. They can read to find out how the little boy’s butt becomes so “Christmassy.” Every kid loves good potty humor and this tale is the perfect addition.
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21. Stop That Pickle, by Peter Armour
An escaped pickle shows how characters in books can literally be anything. Race through the city with this pickle on the run to see exactly how this story ends.
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22. The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
This classic story is one that every 7-year-old loves! With the opportunity for giggles, kids will enjoy following along with Duncan as he attempts to get his crayons back on track so he can color and be happy again!
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23. The Mushroom Fan Club, by Elise Gravel
Cultivate a reader and a foodie in your 7-year-olds with this adorable book outlining the adventures of mushroom hunting. The author utilizes her own family experiences in mushroom hunting and shares it with young readers in this sweet tale.
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24. The Big Umbrella, by Amy June Bates
The Big Umbrella helps teach kids about inclusion. With beautiful illustrations and plenty of opportunities for discussion, students will be absolutely enthralled by this story.
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25. The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires
In this tale, a little girl learns patience, creativity, and perseverance as she learns that creating doesn’t necessarily happen immediately and will definitely take some hard work.
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