TD Summer Reads 2024 Ages 6-8
The TD Summer Reading Club gratefully acknowledges the contributions of The FOLD and GoodMinds.com in compiling this list
Arcade World. Stage 4, Earth to aliens
Bitt, Nate, author.
2022
Travis, Journey, and their new pal, Devonte, embark on a new adventure that takes them off-planet and into distant outer space as a new game, Earth to Aliens, sets up a galactic battle between old friends and new enemies.
Blast off!
Loney, Andrea J., author
2022
It is Abby Baxter's first day of third grade on the OASIS International Space Station and she is determined not to make any mistakes, but getting used to microgravity, watching her little brother, Nico, and meeting her new classmates, causes her to almost mess up Mami' big experiment.
The book of blast off! : 15 real-life space missions
Knapman, Timothy, author
2023
This read aloud romp through space introduces budding astronauts to the 15 most iconic missions of all time.
Buffalo wild!
Havrelock, Deidre, author
2021
"An exuberant celebration of the Buffalo's return to the wild. Since Declan was born, his kokum has shared her love of Buffalo through stories and art. But Declan longs to see real Buffalo. Then one magical night, herds of the majestic creatures stampede down from the sky. That's when things really get wild! Azby Whitecalf's playful illustrations add to the joy and reverence in Deidre Havrelock's picture book debut. A reprinting of the Buffalo Treaty and an author's note describe the importance of Buffalo to Indigenous Peoples and efforts to revitalize the species."-- Provided by publisher.
A few beautiful minutes : experiencing a solar eclipse
Fox, Kate Allen, author
2023
"Sky gazers experience a total solar eclipse in this descriptive picture book about the wonders of this phenomenon"-- Provided by publisher.
Fiona the fruit bat
Riskin, Dan, author
2022
"A sweet, fun, and informative picture book about bat echolocation for kids 3-7. Written by a scientist who works with bats in his everyday life! It's time for Fiona the fruit bat to take her very first flight, but she's scared. How will she fly when she can't see in the dark? Mama just says, "listen." But how will listening help her to see? Then she hears a mysterious sound from deep in her cave. To find out what's making that noise--and to finally fly--Fiona will have to unlock a secret hidden inside herself. Written by biologist and bestselling author Dan Riskin, and rooted in the real-life biology of short-tailed fruit bats, this adorable story features: The fascinating science behind echolocation, including backmatter pages with information on fruit bats from the author. A comforting message to help kids scared of the dark: Alongside Fiona, they'll learn there's nothing to be scared of! A celebration of self-confidence and independence: Shows readers the amazing things they can accomplish all on their own."-- Provided by publisher.
Fluffy and the stars
Redvers, T'áncháy author
2023
"In this heartfelt picture book imagining what happens when a beloved pet dies, a nonbinary child copes with grief and the loss of their best friend."-- Provided by publisher.
Freddie the flyer
Carmichael, Fred (Pilot), author
2023
An account of the life of Fred Carmichael, the first Northern Indigenous commercial pilot. When Fred Carmichael was twelve years old, he saw a plane up close for the first time when it dropped off supplies in his remote community. With that one look, he was hooked. Fred spent 60 years as a pilot, doing everything from supply runs to search and rescue to transporting dog teams to far-flung areas.
Full moon party
Young, Jessica (Jessica E.) author
2021
Best friends Ruby, Iris, and Pip, together with their teacher, Miss Goldwing, set out on a field trip to the Full Moon Fest, following the magic path that appears when the full moon shines on Moon Lake--and once there they find plenty of games, snacks, and dancing.
Granny left me a rocket ship
Smith, Heather, 1968- author
2023
After Granny dies, she leaves something behind for everyone in the family. She leaves Father her tuba and Mother her locket. Sister receives her microscope and brother her record collection. But our main character receives something special that unlocks cherished memories of Granny through a world of imaginative play.
The hidden world of gnomes
Soloy, Lauren, author, illustrator
2023
A delightful collection of gnome facts, featuring Lauren Soloy's gnome wisdom and gorgeous artwork.
Hold that thought!
Galbraith, Bree, author
2021
"Finn is awakened in the night by something rustling around inside their head. It isn't heavy like a worry, it doesn't swirl like a fear, and it certainly isn't shaped like a question. It's something much more exciting--an idea! Finn can't wait to share it, and they do, at school, with their best friend Sima. Sharing energizes the idea. Then the more Finn thinks about it, the more the idea grows, and by the end of the day the idea is huge and amazing. But not everyone is excited about Finn's idea, and, in a heart-stopping moment, a bully knocks it to the ground...Finn shares the idea with the other kids, who in turn add their thoughts. And as the idea grows, even the bully has a change of heart, offering his own thought to the mix. As the story closes, the idea blossoms and flows across the page..."--Provided by publisher.
How it's built : rocket
Wallace, Elise, author
2022
Kids are fascinated by how things are constructed, especially big things! This brand-new STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) series will take readers on visits to various work sites so they can see exactly How It's Built! Kids will follow along as a small group of fictional characters get to find out exactly what it takes to build things that they probably see all the time, like bridges, houses, boats, and cars, to things that they might dream of being inside, like skyscrapers and rockets.
Invasion of the unicorns
Biedrzycki, David, author, illustrator
2021
Secret agent Bubble07, who exactly resembles a stuffed toy, is on Earth to assess whether or not the unicorns should invade the planet--but despite some bizarre Earth customs like show-and-tell, and annoying Earth dogs, ultimately suggests that Earth would serve as an excellent vacation destination for unicorns.
Journey around the sun : the story of Halley's comet
Gladstone, James, 1969- author
2021
"Journey Around the Sun is the story of Halley's Comet, as told by the comet itself, as it returns to Earth approximately every 75 years. At the same time that we learn about the comet, we also learn about the history of human culture and technology, evolving as it has toward a greater understanding of our universe. Amazingly, although people in early civilizations did not know about the return orbit of Halley's Comet, documentation of the comet has survived from ancient China, Babylon, Greece, and the Arab world. (Comets were also painted in North and South America, but it's less clear whether or not they were of Halley.) These sightings were seen as omens good and bad, and they were woven into tapestries, painting on scrolls, immortalized in theatre. Edmond Halley predicted the comet would return in 1758, and he was proven right through successive technologies: telescopes, cameras, and eventually a spacecraft, Giotto, which photographed the comet's ice core at close range. Whether viewed through a cultural, psychological, or scientific lens, what's clear is that the history of Halley's comet is deeply tied to our own. The question that remains is what will Halley's Comet "see" the next time it comes to visit? The book ends with an Author's Note with more information about Halley's Comet and comets in general."-- Provided by publisher.
Just one little light
Yeh, Kat, author
2023
Reminds readers that even one small act of kindness can provide a glimmer of hope and bring about change.
Marshmallow martians. 2, Earth school
Kent, Deanna, author
2023
Lunchboxes, recess, and gym--oh my! Without G.L.O.W., their Galactic Learning Online Whiz (which is a fancy way of saying "computer"), the Marshmallow Martians don't know where to turn for information. So they have to go to where all the cool kids learn--earthling school.
The me I choose to be
Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia, 1971-, author
2021
"An uplifting story about self-confidence and a child's limitless potential"-- Provided by publisher.
Pluto! : not a planet? not a problem!
McAnulty, Stacy, author
2023
Hot diggity dog! Meet Pluto! The runt of a litter of eight planets. Pluto may not be the biggest or fastest planet to revolve around the Sun, but it has a unique story to tell. From the tale of how it was found by humans to its naming as a dwarf planet, it's Pluto's turn to take the spotlight and properly re-introduce itself.
Robot rebellion
Neal, Rie, author
2023
Banding together to create the perfect gift for their teacher's big birthday, Astrid and the rest of the Shooting Stars decide to have their robot do a fun dance for her during the robotics competition, but things don't go as planned.
Rover and Speck. 1, This planet rocks!
Roth, Jonathan, author, illustrator
2022
"Rover and Speck couldn't be more different. Rover is organized, careful, and on a mission to explore the far reaches of the galaxy. Speck is impulsive, excitable, and stranded alone on a rocky planet. But these two rovers have to team up when Rover crash lands and helps Speck recharge his battery. Together, they can explore the planet and gather tons of cool scientific data! That is, if the strange rock creatures chasing them don't get to them first... Packed full of heart and humour, this endearing graphic novel will win over young readers. Rover and Speck's personalities play off each other as they embark on silly shenanigans and thrilling adventures, and there are plenty of moments of suspense and excitement to keep readers entertained. Sidebars explaining scientific concepts like minerals, echoes, space caves, and more add a light, kid-friendly STEM touch, paired with a fun backmatter activity about some real famous rovers and how to draw your own. This graphic novel is a perfect pick for aspiring astronauts!"--Provided by publisher.
The Secret Explorers and the moon mission
King, SJ, author.
2022
A space expert and a geology expert take readers on an out-of-this-world adventure to the moon, where they must navigate the dangerous terrain to clear up space debris before it can interfere with a lunar mission.
A star explodes : the story of Supernova 1054
Gladstone, James, 1969- author.
2023
"Supernovae explosions are relatively rare in our galaxy, and so the few that are recorded in historical documents take on special meaning. This is a story about a supernova that appeared in the year 1054 and the Crab Nebula remnant that was created by that explosion. The supernova of 1054 was one of the brightest supernova events recorded in history. And its remnant, the Crab Nebula, is still studied today. The story begins at the moment of a supernova explosion that occurred roughly 6000 to 6500 years ago. The narrative then travels forward in time to the year 1054, when a young astronomer and the people of the Chinese court see the light of this supernova appear suddenly in Earth's sky. They called this light a "guest star." After a couple of years, when the light of the guest star fades, the story takes the reader into deep space to see the remnant of this supernova -- the Crab Nebula -- followed by a continuing trip forward in time. Over the remaining pages, it is revealed that the Chinese "guest star" was the light of that long-ago supernova blast, and that the Crab Nebula is that supernova's remains. At the end of the book, readers are invited to imagine a time when they, too, might see the rare event of a supernova shining in the sky."-- Provided by publisher.
Starboy : inspired by the life and lyrics of David Bowie
Gigot, Jami, author, illustrator
2021
A lonely boy feels like a stranger on his own planet until the day his radio bursts to life with the rhythm of stardust energy. Includes notes and facts about David Bowie's life.