Summer Reading for Early Childhood and Lower School Students 2025

Hang out in a factory with a pizza-making robot, blast into the past to meet the robot statues in ancient Egyptian temples that spoke to worshippers, and encounter the slithering robot inspired by snakes that can climb trees!
Robots are no longer just the preserve of science fiction. From driverless cars to robots helping in hospitals, the field of robotics is one of the most exciting in modern science. With beautiful illustrations by Amy Grimes, this children's book explains what robots are, how they are made, and how we can use them in all sorts of amazing ways.
Dr. Henny Admoni's book answers some of the key questions about robotics and AI, such as should we be afraid? It also looks at the positive impact robots can have on us all, from robots who can help in disaster zones to the robotic spacecraft exploring the Solar System and beyond.
The possibilities of robotics and AI are endless. With a hardback cover featuring colourful foil, this book is an ideal gift for technology-mad kids.

Great white sharks and dolphins face off in a fight. Sharks are skilled hunters, but bottlenose dolphins are one of the ocean's smartest creatures. Discover the size, speed, attacks, and defenses of these amazing animals. Who will win in this predator-versus-prey showdown? Dive in to find out!
Includes five books so far. This series pairs creatures that actually meet in the wild. A next level read for avid "Who Would Win" readers.

Nestled in the lush green hills of the Scotland Highlands lies Loch Ness, a deep, murky lake with a storied history. It is also the home of the Loch Ness Monster. Numerous stories and photographs by people claiming to have spotted the mysterious monster have surfaced, often gaining immediate fame. But after decades of countless expeditions, documentaries, firsthand accounts, pictures, and videos, the mystery of Nessie continues to haunt us.

Now, Sibert Award-winning author Candace Fleming invites you to become a detective and to join the race to uncover the truth. You'll learn how real-life detectives and scientists conduct their investigations to solve the greatest mysteries as the principles of the Scientific Method and more tools for boosting critical thinking and analysis are introduced. You will consider the evidence, see if you can tell the difference between fact and fiction, and maybe you can answer this age-old question about the Loch Ness monster: Is it real?

Grab your lab goggles and whisk because the Highlights team has whipped up The Ultimate Science Cookbook for Kids--a collection of easy recipes and experiments where creativity and STEM collide in the kitchen.
Developed by America's #1 most-read children's magazine, this book of 75+ recipes lets kids learn about the food they're making, try experiments, explore new flavors, AND customize delicious recipes.
With foods like Marshmallow Meteorites, Grape and Cheese Towers, and an Edible, Exploding Volcano, young scientists won't be able to get enough of this STEM-inspired cookbook. Whether you're an expert chef or new to the kitchen, these easy-to-follow recipes are perfect for building kitchen confidence, exploring new tastes, and gobbling up science facts.

In April 1970, twenty million people grabbed their rakes, gloves, and recycling bins to celebrate the first Earth Day. Since that environmental kickoff, nature has never been in better shape. RIGHT?
WRONG! The real deal is a bit muddier than that. It's true that the first Earth Day encouraged people around the globe to clean up their act when it came to the environment. But activists have been working for centuries to save the planet! Native people across the world developed sustainable farming practices, women in eighteenth-century India stood up to protect trees, and amateur scientist Eunice Foote discovered the science behind global warming all the way back in the 1850s!
Join the History Smashers team to bust history's biggest misconceptions and figure out what in the world really went down before (and after!) the first Earth Day--and how you can join the fight to protect the environment. Available via SORA.

What happens when you pick up a pencil? How do you talk to yourself about drawing while you're drawing? Where do your scribbles start and where do they lead?
Are you ready to find out?
With acclaimed art and editorial director of Illustoria and author-illustrator Elizabeth Haidle as your guide through the world of art, Drawing Is . . . is an essential and captivating guide to drawing, brimming with artful exercises and perfect for anyone seeking a creative adventure.
If you've ever picked up a pencil, drawn, stopped drawing, started again, doodle without purpose, sketched with intention, been disappointed with your art and thrown it out, yet turned the page to try a new experiment . . . this book is for you.
All you need is a drawing surface. A drawing tool. A dot. And a line. Whatever your skill level, you're invited to draw along.