Wondering what your kids should be reading this summer? I’ve enlisted the help of local children’s librarians and bookstore children’s book buyers to answer the question, "If you were stuck on a desert island with children of varying ages; without a cell phone, television, radio and computer; and could bring only a few books, what would you choose?"

So whether they’re reading in a tent by flashlight, in the back seat on a long road trip, in the shade of a favorite tree or in bed after a long day at camp, rest assured you'll have plenty of choices to pull out of the shipwreck and read this summer.

Erin Wilson, Sausalito Library

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

Jessica Ryan & Lauren Snell, Mill Valley Library

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade

Young Adult Novels

Alicia Bell, Belvedere Tiburon Library

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

April Hayley, San Anselmo Library

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade

Young Adult Novels

Sara Hathaway and Laura Kennett, Children’s Librarian, Novato Library

Baby (board books)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
The rhythmic repetitive language along with Eric Carle’s iconic illustrations has made this the undisputed champion of books for the very young. 

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
This alphabet book has entranced for over 25 years, and it still looks as fresh as the produce amongst its pages.  The variety of fruits and vegetables are a perfect mix of colors, sizes and common vs. uncommon – apples, bananas and kohlrabi! 

Freight Train by Donald Crew
Many a youngster has poured over this book, pointing at the train cars again and again until they learned their colors.  Great graphics and a simple story that uses wonderful words such as, trestle and green gondola car.

Picture Books (ages 4-8)
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
George is a dog that refuses to bark.  Instead, he makes a variety of other animal noises that land him at the vet.  What happens next is funny and absurd.  This has to be the freshest take on animal sounds ever!

Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
Peter and friends have entertained generations.  This Peter story perfectly captures the frustration that comes with giving up being the baby for the joys of being a big kid and a big brother. 

Zen Shorts by Jon Muth
A giant panda, named Stillwater, shows up in the lives of three children and tells them three ancient Zen tales.  Beautiful watercolors illustrations, philosophy and plenty of whimsy makes this a favorite with all ages. 

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Wonderful stories that capture the complexities and joys of friendship in fun short chapters.  Perfect for those young readers who are ready to take on books with more than a few sentences on a page.

Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau
A hilarious take on good citizenship.  The Ratso brothers want to be known as tough, so they do their best to start trouble.  Unfortunately, everyone sees their deeds as good.  All the misunderstandings lead to the understanding that being good isn’t so bad after all. 

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
The charming tale of Mercy Watson, a pet pig and the family who loves her.  Mercy’s ways would have many calling for mercy.  However, her family thinks she is the best thing since buttered toast.  

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry is more than the classic downtrodden character that just found out that he is special and powerful.  He is a cultural phenomenon.  If you don’t know Harry, get on the train and head to Hogwarts for some magical times.

Holes by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is under a family curse.  He is unjustly sent to a boy’s detention center in Texas to dig holes.  Digging holes may not sound like the best story ever, but it comes pretty close.  This book is an epic feat that weaves together time, characters and plot lines, leaving no holes in this story. 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Four children travel through a wardrobe to the magical world of Narnia, where it is always winter due to the curse of the white witch.  Well-known and well-loved this book has inspired many a conversation about time, statues, good, evil and Turkish Delight.

Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Growing up in a perfect world is easy until you realize that it is not perfect.  When Jonas turns twelve he receives his life assignment as the receiver of memory and starts to learn that his world is not what it seems.  This book asks deep questions about humanity and freedom.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Inspired by the Jungle book, but taking place in a graveyard.  Nobody “Bod” Owens is raised by supernatural entities after his parents are brutally murdered in the first chapter.  Even more shocking than the novel’s opening scene is how brilliant and inventive this murder adventure mystery is. 

Watsons Go to Birmingham --1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
A portrait of a realistic and hilarious family mixes in harder issues of bullying and racial terrorism.  At many times this story is laugh out loud funny and illustrates how love, humor, family woes and tragedy effect our day to day. 

Iris Meinolf, Farifax Library

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade Novels

Young Adult Novels

Marilyn Wronsky, Judi Evans (bold) & Sarah Butts (italic) Corte Madera Library

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

Susan Kunhardt, Book Passage

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

Clare Doornbos, Diesel, A Bookstore, Larkspur

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own)

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

Emily Strempek, Barnes & Noble

Baby (board books)

Picture Books (ages 4-8)

Easy Readers (ages 6-8 who are just beginning to read on their own))

Chapter Books (ages 7-10 who are reading independently)

Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels

Did your favorites make the list?