15 Diverse Easy Readers
Today I’m sharing easy readers. This is a group of books that I don’t often share about but is so vitally important to creating strong readers. Easy readers are geared toward kids from ages 4-7 (with wiggle room as usual) who are beginning to learn how to read. These books often have few words, lots of descriptive illustrations, and a controlled vocabulary that kids can either recognize or sound out (for the most part).
Now, this is one of the most used collections in my library. And the classics get just as many check outs as the Disney princesses and superheroes books. But, what a lot of these books are missing is a component that is so important for kids. Characters that they can relate to and in this context, characters that look like them. So, today, I’m sharing 15 diverse easy readers that young kids will see themselves in. These are not by far all the diverse easy readers, but they are some of the newer titles on the market and ones that I think kids will like reading about!
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15 Diverse Easy Readers
Ali the Great and the Market Mishap by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Tahir loses something important at the market–his brother! Who’s hungry? Ali, his grandfather, and little brother Fateh head to the South Asian market to stock up on snacks. So much to see! But what Ali can’t see is Fateh…. Where did he go? Will Ali’s quick thinking save the day? Ali the Great, by Yasmin author Saadia Faruqi, is a charming chapter book series about Pakistani American second grader Ali Tahir. Ali’s big ideas will resonate with young readers who believe that every problem has a creative solution–you just have to find it!
Camila: The Talent Show Star by Alicia Salazar, illustrated by Thais Damiao
Every year Camila’s school has a talent show, and Camila wants to sing her favorite song; but Ruby, a new girl, has already signed up to sing the same song and Camila is so mad she decides not to compete at all–until Ruby suggests that they sing together, and Camila discovers sometimes two voices are better than one. Includes suggestions for creating your own talent show.
Don’t Throw It to Mo! by David A. Adler, illustrated by Sam Ricks
Mo is the youngest kid on the Robins, his football team. His classmates don’t mind, but the kids on their rival team tease him for being a “butterfingers” who’s too tiny to catch the ball. But Mo’s coach has a plan to turn Mo’s little size into a big win for the Robins!
Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai
Gigi can’t wait for her Ojiji—Japanese grandpa—to move in. She plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks.
But her plans don’t work out quite the way she’d hoped. And her grandpa doesn’t seem to like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji?
I Want to Be a Doctor by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
Doctors help sick and hurt people feel better. When little brother Jack hurts his foot, the family gets to meet all kinds of doctors.
With this story blending narrative with nonfiction elements, readers meet the doctors who heal broken bones, help fix teeth, and even work in laboratories!
Katie Fry, Private Eye: The Lost Kitten by Katherine Cox, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
Katie Fry may be little, but she’s got a big brain, and she uses it to solve mysteries. So when she finds a very cute, VERY lost kitten named Sherlock, she decides to take his case. Can Katie track down the clues to find Sherlock’s home? Beginning readers will love hunting for clues in the art right along with Katie and Sherlock!
Libby Loves Science: Mix and Measure by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes, illustrated by Joelle Murray
Libby loves science—and experimenting! In this Level 3 I Can Read! title, Libby hosts a puppy party for her friends and their dogs. With the help of her friend Rosa and little brother, Libby decorates, stuffs goody bags and bakes delicious cupcakes. But when they realize they’ve forgotten an important ingredient, they use science to solve the problem—just in the nick of time.
Ling & Ting, Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin
Ling and Ting are twins. They have the same brown eyes. Each have the same pink cheeks. They have the same happy smiles.
Ling and Ting are two adorable identical twins, and they stick together, whether they are making dumplings, getting their hair cut, or practicing magic tricks. But looks are deceiving–people can be very different, even if they look exactly the same.
Luke on the Loose by Harry Bliss
Luke looks on at the pigeons in Central Park, while Dad is lost in “boring Daddy talk,” and before you know it LUKE IS ON THE LOOSE! He’s free as a bird, on a hilarious solo flight through New York City.
Maxie Wiz and Her Dragon by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
Maxie Wiz wants a pal. HOCUS-POCUS—a dragon egg appears! Soon, he almost grows too large for the castle! What spells will Maxie come up with to help with her new pet?
Nick & Nack Fly a Kite by Brandon Budzi, illustrated by Adam Record
Nick and his robot pal Nack love to build things. As they make a kite in this Level 1 Highlights Puzzle Reader, kids can find supplies in Hidden Pictures scenes that double as picture support for the simple story text, which is full of repeated words. With bonus craft directions, Nick and Nack Fly a Kite will appeal to junior makers who are just discovering reading.
Princess Truly: I Am a Super Girl! by Kelly Greenawalt, illustrated by Amariah Rauscher
Meet Princess Truly! With the help of her rocket boots and her magical, sparkly curls, she becomes a super girl and uses her smarts and strength to save the day. But when her friend Lizzie has a rescue mission of her own, Lizzie doesn’t feel so super. Can Truly help her friend believe in herself and find her confidence? These rhyming, funny, and empowering stories with full-color artwork and easy-to-read text throughout are perfect for new readers!
Reina Ramos Meets a Big Puppy by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Andrés Landazábal
Reina Ramos is the creation of Emma Otheguy, a children’s author who writes about Latin identity. The Reina I Can Read stories have engaging illustrations from Andrés Landazabal.
Reina and her friend, Lila, practice gymnastics on Saturdays. It’s Reina’s favorite part of the week. But when Lila gets a puppy, Reina has to practice gymnastics by herself. Also, Lila’s dog is HUGE and Reina is afraid to admit to her friend that she is scared. What can Reina do?
Spirit Rangers: Snoozing Sun by JohnTom Knight
It’s nearly nighttime, but the sun won’t set in Xus National Park! Kodi, Summer, and Eddy Skycedar go to Spirit Park to discover why, and learn an important lesson about what it really means to be a hero.
Created by Samala Chumash descendent, Karissa Valencia, Spirit Rangers is a fantasy-adventure preschool series following Native American sibling trio Kodiak, Summer and Eddy Skycedar, who have a shared secret—they’re Spirit Rangers! Spirit Rangers protect every crook, cranny and critter of Spirit Park. With the blessing of the Chumash and Cowlitz tribes, we’ll join the Skycedar kids on their amazing adventures with spirits inspired by Indigenous stories.
Ty’s Travels: Beach Day by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Niña Mata
Ty turns an ordinary day in the sandbox into a fun beach day. He wiggles his toes in the sand, finds seashells, builds a castle, and splashes in the ocean. Splish, splash! When his neighbor’s beach ball flies into his backyard, Ty learns that a beach day is even better with a friend.
