Top 10 Circulated Early Readers of the ’24-’25 School Year (That Aren’t Elephant & Piggie)

Is there one series that dominates the library like Elephant & Piggie does with the Early Readers section? Year after year, Mo Willems’s series is the most checked out of all the early readers.

Since that’s the case, I thought it might be a fun exercise to look at the most circulated early readers that don’t star Gerald and Piggie (or books in the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading series).

Previously . . .

Top 10 Circulated Fiction of the ’24-’25 School Year

Top 10 Circulated Nonfiction of the ’24-’25 School Year

Top 10 Circulated Graphic Novels of the ’24-’25 School Year

The Unexpecteds: 6 Sneakily Popular Books

Top 10 Circulated Picture Books of the ’24-’25 School Year

#10. Herbert on the Slide by Rilla Alexander

Herbert could have been in the Unexpecteds post – I did not see this one coming. One thing that helps is that it stands out in our Early Reader section (we debated about where to shelve it and landed on ER instead of our picture book section).

#9. Lost and Found (LEGO Disney Princess)

We’ve been slowly adding some early readers that feature LEGO, Minecraft, and Pokemon, and students have responded well.

#8. Buggin’ Out! (Marvel Super Hero Adventures) by Mackenzie Cadenhead and Sean Ryan, illustrated by Derek Laufman

I can’t remember where I first spotted this little book (which has another Marvel Super Hero Adventures story on the flip side), but ever since we added it, it’s been one of the most popular books in this section.

#7. The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Great to see this excellent series among the most checked out books in this section.

#6. The Green Ninja (LEGO Ninjago)

Our LEGO-themed early readers have become one of the rare shelf areas that kids go right to when looking for books, so it’s no surprise this book is at the #6 spot.

#5. Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Another early reader section classic that gains new fans every year.

#4. Escape from the Nether! (Minecraft)

This is the newest book in this post – we just added it last school year. Cool to see it’s already getting a lot of love.

#3. Super Scary Narwhalloween by Ben Clanton

Every year I try to read at least one Narwhal and Jelly book out loud to first graders, which usually generates some interest in this wonderful series.

#2. Open Me . . . I’m a Dog! by Art Spiegelman

Truth be told, we had no idea where to shelve this book. We don’t have a pop-up/moveable section. In the end, the very simple text and small trim size made me think it would fare better in the early reader section than picture books. And fare well it has.

#1. Welcome to Alola (Pokemon: Sun & Moon)

We have about 5 Pokemon themed early readers on the shelf, and it’s nice to be able to offer them to students who are into the characters, but are still just learning to read.

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