Summer is all about freedom! Long days, new adventures, and reading whatever (and wherever) you want. For early readers, that freedom can feel a little overwhelming. Some are still finding their footing, building confidence as they connect sounds to words. Others just haven’t discovered the book or series that clicks yet. The key? The right book at the right time. When texts are well-matched to both skill level and interest, young readers are more likely to stay engaged and keep growing.
Decodables, early readers, and picture books play an important role in that journey. These formats are designed to support developing readers at every stage, helping them build foundational skills like phonics, fluency, and comprehension in ways that feel approachable and rewarding.
With Comics Plus, students have unlimited, simultaneous access to a wide range of these formats — alongside graphic novels and manga — making it easy to find titles that meet learners where they are and keep them reading all year long.
Decodables: Building phonics skills, one sound at a time.
Decodable books help emergent readers make the critical connection between spoken language and printed text. Through practice with sounds, syllables, and letter patterns, students begin to decode words with confidence and build foundational reading skills.
Duck Is Stuck & Get the Ball! by Katie Dale and Serena Lombardo (Lerner)
This decodable book consists of two separate stories. Duck Is Stuck tells the story of a duck stuck in the mud, and various animal friends try to free him. Get the Ball! follows Ruff, a dog, as he chases various balls (baseball, soccer, golf). Each one begins with an illustration of how to write the letter in upper and lower case, with reading tips, words to review, and expected high-frequency words.
Standard: Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
In Bloom: The Swim Meet by Elizabeth Scully and Laura Gomez (Cherry Lake)
In this decodable book, Shamika prepares to swim with the Red Fin Swim Team. She and her mother head to the pool, where she puts on her gear and swims her best time. This book uses sequenced phonics skills and sight words to help developing readers understand the text.
Standard: Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
Explore our decodables collection for more recommended titles.
Early Readers: Building confidence through repetition, rhythm, and story.
Early readers provide the structure young readers need—simple vocabulary, short sentences, and supportive illustrations—while still delivering stories that feel rewarding and fun. These books are key to developing fluency and reinforcing reading habits.
Frog and Friends Vol #3: The Best Summer Ever by Eve Bunting and Josée Masse (Cherry Lake)
The Best Summer Ever is an early reader chapter book. Each chapter (or short story) features Frog trying to enjoy the simpler things in life with his friends. It uses high-frequency words and clear, simple language and is ideal for repeated readings, which can help improve reading fluency, increase vocabulary recognition, and provide much-needed and appreciated self-confidence.
Standard: Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
Sofia Martinez: The Beach Trip by Jacqueline Jules and Kim Smith (Capstone)
The Beach Trip follows Sofia Martinez and her family on a family vacation to the beach. Sofia is excited to spend time with her family and decides that her board games are essential items to pack, which come in handy when it rains on the first day.
The book is divided into three short chapters, allowing students to build confidence in reading longer texts while providing natural stopping points. It also includes three discussion questions and three writing prompts at the end of the book, encouraging them to engage with the text and practice critical thinking skills.
Standard: Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
Explore the Comics Plus early readers collection for more recommended titles.
Picture Books: Where images and words work together to tell the story.
Picture books offer a powerful reading experience for learners at every stage. Early readers can use visuals to support understanding, while more confident readers can analyze how illustrations enhance meaning, mood, and storytelling.
Too Many Pigs in the Pool by Wendy Hinote Lanier and Iris Amaya (Cherry Lake)
This colorful picture book shares the story of Mr. Jenkins, who loves sitting by his pool reading, floating, and playing “Marco Polo” with his friend, Ms. Peal, and her pig, Percy. The trouble soon doubles when Percy invites his friends to the pool. Follow the math through this book to learn about addition and multiplication while Mr. Jenkins finds a solution to enjoying his pool again.
Standard: Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story; e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting.
Awesome Air by Rena Korb and Brandon Reibeling (ABDO)
Learn about the awesome air in these easy-to-read books. The atmosphere, gases, pollution, and conservation are explained in simple text and matching art. A science activity, a fun facts section, a glossary, and an index help students learn about the awesome air around them.
Standard: Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to efficiently locate key facts or information in a text.
Explore the Comics Plus picture book collection for more recommended titles.
Support Summer Reading Success
Helping young readers grow over the summer doesn’t have to mean worksheets or assignments; it starts with access to books they’re excited to pick up.
Looking for more ways to connect Comics Plus with your curriculum? Contact your client success manager or email success@joyfulreading.com for ideas and support.
New to Comics Plus? Connect with our team to learn more.