Summer Picture Books for All Ages
Hooray for summertime! It’s time for sipping lemonade under a shady tree while reading a delightful book! Especially for littles whose “background knowledge” of summer may be fuzzy, these help recall the seasonal experiences and build new memories while sharing relateable stories. Here’s a baker’s dozen of our favorite summer themed picture books. There’s something for everyone from baby on up in this round up. Happy summer, readers!
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Dude! The cover states, “Word by Aaron Reynolds, Art by Dan Santat” and that reveals it all for this book! Told with only one word, repeated with different tones and inflections as the hilarious tale unfolds, and illustrated by the ever talented Caldecott winning Santat (for Beekle, which we adore as well!). This one will give your bookworms a lesson in reading for fluency as you learn how the way you read “dude” in fact changes the meaning of the story. And it’s just a lot of fun!
Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt. This resonated with me oh so much, “Scaredy squirrel never goes camping. He’d rather be comfortable inside than risk going out in the rugged wilderness. Besides, setting up camp seems like a lot of trouble.” After conquering his (hilarious) fears, he learns that the wilderness is actually worth the fuss (provided that he brings along an extension cord).
Beach House by Deanna Caswell. Sparse text that captures the excitement of a day at the beach, from the hustle and bustle of packing the car through the final sudsy bath, then snuggled into bed to dream of the next fun filled day. The watercolor illustrations pair perfectly with the gentle poetic text.
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. What says summer more than juicy watermelon? Your bookworms will love having a leg up on silly alligator who thinks a watermelon is surely going to grow out of his ears after he accidentally swallows a seed! Plus, you get to (pretend to) burp, so there’s that.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. Jabari announces that he’s ready this year to jump off the diving board, even though “the diving board was high and maybe a little scary.” I love the gentle confidence Jabari’s dad has in him as Jabari works through his fear. His dad supports his process of working through his anxious feelings, suggesting how he conquers his own fears, assuring that “it’s okay to feel a little scared.”
Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan. This beauty explores the ocean through all five senses: “Hello, ocean, my old best friend. I’m here, with the five of me again.” This could definitely be featured in Poetry Teatime for its lyrical text. My 3yo adores it.
Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea by Cynthia Rylant. We’ve read this approximately 572 times throughout the winter and chilly spring days as we dreamed of our own beach days. Early readers are (sometimes) perfect for shorter attention spans of toddlers and preschoolers, and this one fits the bill. It has captured my 3yo’s heart along with my 5yo beginning reader’s eye. Sand castle building, body surfing, hot dog eating, crab watching… a perfect beach day with dad and dog.
To the Beach! by Linda Ashman. A realistic look at packing for a family trip to the beach. 😉 In this rhyming story, a family *thinks* they’re all packed, but turn back for so many forgotten items that by the time they battle the traffic the weather has turned stormy. They return home and the sun finally peeks out, so they relax in the back yard instead.
Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander. A celebration of the power of imagination and the draw of a good book; two brothers have different ideas of how to spend the day at the beach– both up for adventure, though one on the pages of a book, and one in the waves. As the bookworm brother shows his range of emotions while reading (gasping, cheering), surfer brother gets drawn in by the power of a good story. We love author Kwame Alexander (read about our other favorites here in our Picture Book Tour.)
Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones. We love Sally Lloyd-Jones for her children’s Bible version (The Jesus Storybook Bible). This isn’t faith based in any way, but it features Sally’s compelling storytelling skills. The true story of summer in the city in which goldfish are offered a vacation in the water fountain garden!
Pictures from Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins. For older readers (early-mid elementary). There’s a lot to this account of a family’s road trip– both in the structure and plot. You’ll encounter thought bubbles, maps, and the travel journal the title alludes to, as well as the disparity between what a photo shows versus the emotion and experience behind it. Readers will also explore the ups and downs of vacations– the waiting, the unforeseeable weather, the family obligations that aren’t fully understood (a memorial service is described), along with the joys of new experiences and family togetherness.
Beach Baby by Laurie Elmquist. For the board book crowd. Although the cover describes it as a “lullaby,” it’s more of a listing of items that baby might see at the beach, items that will be waiting when baby awakes from naptime. Truthfully, we wouldn’t find some of these items at the beach where we live, but babies will enjoy it nonetheless. Includes sandpipers, sand dollars, starfish, seals, geese, sand castles, snails, pelicans, and dolphins.
Down to the Sea With Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen (illustrator of the Mercy Watson books and author/illustrator of another fave, Hattie & Hudson). There are several “Mr. Magee” books and we love them all- the outrageous situations and silly pictures make my kids giggle and are great for group storytimes too!
Possum and the Summer Storm by Anne Hunter (the same Possum as from Possum’s Harvest Moon which we love to read every Fall!). When Possum’s home is swept away in a summer storm, his friends step in to help, each in their own special way. A gentle introduction to types of animal homes– chipmunk burrow, muskrat lodge, wasp nest, and oriole hammock-nest– along with a sweet friendship tale.
Sun by Sam Usher. Part of a series of four picture books, aptly titled “Seasons with Grandad” (see also Snow, Storm, and Rain) that feature a special bond between a boy and his grandfather. In this installment, the two decide that the warm weather is aperfect opportunity for a picnic! In searching for the perfect spot, they explore and use their imaginations together. The sweet grandparent interactions in this series are darling!
What are your favorite summertime reads for kids? Connect with me in the comments below, or on my Instagram or Facebook accounts. The books featured in this post may be found at your local library, or at the Amazon affiliate links provided.
