This post contains affiliate links. Should you follow the links and make a purchase, we will be compensated.
Summer vacation is finally here! Besides being a good time to hang out with family and friends, it’s also a great time to read. During the summer, kids can read what they want for as long as they want.
Recently, I had to write a description for our blog. In my opinion, what makes us unique is that both James and I have our own expertise. I realized that I was neglecting to share a big part of my expertise with you. For the past 16 years, I have been an elementary school teacher. Of those 16 years, I’ve spent the last 4 teaching reading to kids in grades 3-5. I love reading and books. The best part of my job is getting a struggling reader excited about reading.
Kids are constantly asking me for book recommendations. Interest and readability are the 2 most important factors when pairing a child with a book. Too easy and they won’t learn anything, too hard and it will cause frustration. I’ve compiled a list of Disney themed books for all types of readers. The books vary in difficulty as the list goes on. Many of the books are out of a series. The great thing about that is if they love the first one, there’s more like that to read.
A Tale of Two Sisters (Disney Frozen) (Step into Reading)
& and others in the Step into Reading Series
Ages: 4-6
Early Emergent Readers and Emergent Readers
Step into Reading Books are a good first book for beginning readers. Kids can read them alone or with a parent. In this series, you will find a lot of high interest books based on your child’s favorite characters.
Who Was Walt Disney?
By Whitney Stewart
Ages: 8-12
Early Fluent Readers
The “Who Was” series teaches kids about the lives of real people. Who Was Walt Disney? chronicles Walt Disney’s life from his childhood in Missouri to making all the magic happen. It might be fun for kids to read about the man behind the mouse.
Never Girls #1: In a Blink (Disney Fairies) (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
By Kiki Thorpe
Whatever After #1: Fairest of All
Ages 8-12
Early Fluent Readers and Fluent Readers
The fairy tale world is about to be turned upside down now that Abby and her brother Jonah have found a magic mirror in their basement. In each book they are taken into a different character’s world and somehow end up messing up their story. It is their job to put the story back together again.
Ever After High: Once Upon a Time: A Story Collection
& other books By Shannon Hale
Ages: 8-12
Early Fluent Readers and Fluent Readers
Meet the offspring of your favorite fairy tale characters who all attend Ever After High. Will they follow in the footsteps of their charmed parents or will they make their own fate? These books put a modern and trendy spin on the traditional fairy tale character.
Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark
Ages: 10-11
Fluent Readers
From Amazon: “In book one, five young teens tapped as models for theme park “guides” find themselves pitted against Disney villains and witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability of the world outside its walls. Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI–which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging–Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park. The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary. Soon Finn finds himself transported in his DHI form into the Magic Kingdom at night. Is it real? Is he dreaming?”
Isle of the Lost, The: A Descendants Novel (–NEW SERIES (to be updated))
By Melissa de la Cruz
Ages: 9-12
Fluent Readers
The Isle of the Lost is the prequel to the Disney Channel movie, “The Descendants.” In the book, all the villains have been banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the island where they are prevented from doing magic by a dome covering the island. If you plan on watching the movie, this is a must read.
Peter and the Starcatchers
Ages: 10 and up
Fluent Readers
This prequel to Peter Pan is a fast paced adventure complete with pirates, ship battles and treacherous waters. Disney enthusiasts will appreciate the references to the original story by J.M. Barrie. This book would be a good stepping stone to reading the much beloved classic.
The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories)
Ages: 8-12
Fluent Readers
From Amazon: The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.
The Wishing Spell is the first in the series written by Glee star Chris Colfer
Before Tomorrowland
Ages: 12-18
Young Adult
Before Tomorrowland is the exciting prequel to the Walt Disney Studios film, Tomorrowland. In the book Lee and Clara Brackett are on vacation in New York City when they are given a mysterious comic book and special glasses. This is where their reality begins to blur and a new adventure begins.
If you are looking for more recommendations for your #DisneyKid, feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to set you up with a book that will help your child love reading.
My #DisneyKid is currently into reading Anna & Elsa #1: All Hail the Queen (Disney Frozen) (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
What will you be reading this summer? What will your kids be reading? Let us know in the comments.
This post contains affiliate links. Should you follow the links and make a purchase, we will be compensated.
Casey K
Monday 13th of July 2015
We are actually reading about 4 or 5 of these ourselves this summer!