A little girl reading by the window.

Spark conversations with your kids about childhood independence.

Check out these incredible reads hand picked by our friend Mary Costello at Children’s Lit Love and the Let Grow staff and volunteers.

Each of these stories showcases independence, resilience, free play, and creativity. These delightful books are a great way to spark conversations about independence and challenge kids to try something new on their own. 

BONUS: After reading the book, there’s an independent challenge they can do themselves!

*Check out essential reading for adults, here.


A Day for Sandcastles

By Jonarno Lawson, Illustrated by Qin Leng, *Youngest Readers

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman

By Michelle Edwards, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, *Youngest Readers

Arthur Babysits

By Marc Brown, *Youngest Readers & Elementary Readers

Be a Maker

By Katey Howes, illustrated by Elizabet Vuković, *Youngest Readers

Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3

By Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, illustrated by Lois Ehlert, *Youngest Readers

Everything You Need for a Treehouse

By Carter Higgins, illustrated by Emily Hughes, *Youngest Readers

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

By Janae Marks, *Middle School Readers

I Will Be Fierce

By Bea Birdsong, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani, *Youngest Readers

Lady Bird Johnson, That’s Who!

By Tracy Nelson Maurer, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu, *Elementary Readers

Made by Maxine

By Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Holly Hatam, *Youngest Readers

Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too

By Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Benjamin Schipper, *Youngest Readers & Elementary Readers

My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World

By Malcolm Mitchell, illustrated by Michael Robertson, *Elementary Readers

Ride, Roll, Run, Time for Fun!

By Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Sabrena Khadija, *Youngest Readers

Roxaboxen

By Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara Cooney, *Elementary Readers

Running An Errand

By In-sook Kim, illustrated by Do-gyeong Kim, *Elementary Readers

Sally Jean the Bicycle Queen

By Cari Best, illustrated by Christine Davenier, *Youngest Readers

Subway Ride

By Heather Lynn Miller, illustrated by Sue Ramá, *Elementary Readers

The First Rule of Punk

By Celia C. Pérez, *Middle School Readers

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer

By Lamar Giles, illustrated by Dapo Adeola, *Middle School Readers

The Magnificent Makers

By Theanne Griffith, illustrated by Reggie Brown, *Elementary Readers

The Most Magnificent Idea

By Ashley Spires, *Youngest Readers

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

By Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers, *Elementary Readers

The Season of Styx Malone

By Kekla Magoon, *Middle School Readers

Warren & Dragon 100 Friends

By Ariel Bernstein, illustrated by Mike Malbrough, *Elementary Readers

What Brothers Do Best

By Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger, *Youngest Readers

What Sisters Do Best

By Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger, *Youngest Readers

When Charley Met Emma

By Amy Webb, illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard, *Youngest Readers