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    You are here: Home / Books / Picture Books You Need to Read this Summer

     

    Picture Books You Need to Read this Summer

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    These joyful summer books for kids are great to bring along to the beach, or on a picnic, or even to read to your children while you sit outside on the porch swing.

    This summer picture book list is an eclectic mix of classics and contemporary titles. They feature children and families engaged in classic summer activities like baseball, camp and exploring the beach.

    Summer Picture Books to read with the kids

    So whatever exciting or relaxed adventures your family is having this summer, be sure to read some of these diverse summer picture books with your kids on those lazy summer afternoons.

    More summer reading: 

    • Summer read aloud chapter books the whole family will love
    • Summer reading book lists by grade level
    • Keep track of the books you read together with this darling summer reading log
    • Play Summer Reading BINGO!

    Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

    Side by side picture books by Robert McClosky

    ONE MORNING IN MAINE and TIME OF WONDER by Robert McCloskey

    Find it: Amazon (Time of Wonder) | Bookshop (Time of Wonder)

    Find it: Amazon (One Morning in Maine) | Bookshop (One Morning in Maine)

    I had a hard time choosing between these two books, and so... I didn't! As a kid growing up in California, the summertime experiences in these two books were completely foreign but utterly beguiling. Get your kids daydreaming about lazy summer days free of digital screens and ringing phones. These two books are must-reads for summer. Sure, they are long, but you've got lazy summer days to fill.

    The World Belonged to Us picture book

    THE WORLD BELONGED TO US by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Leo Espinosa

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    I love this joyous book about the pleasures of an old fashioned summer in the city. Fire hydrants spray water in the streets, kids play tag, jump rope, and get treats from the ice cream truck. Set in the 60s or 70s in Brooklyn, the bouncing refrain and the smiles on the children's faces are pure delight.

    MORE: Picture books about summer in the city

    Hot Dog summer picture book

    HOT DOG by Doug Salati

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    Look, I'm not a dog person so I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy this book as much as the hype assured me I would. The hype was right! Anyone can relate to the dog's need to get away from the noisy, crowded and sweltering city streets in summer for a day and head to the beach. Readers will feel a visceral relief as the "hot dog" makes it to the breezy seaside.

    A Beach Tail book

    A BEACH TAIL by Karen Lynn Williams, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    At the beach, Gregory draws a lion in the sand. His dad tells him to stay near the lion and not to venture into the water. Gregory picks up a stick and begins to draw the lion's tail... a very long tail, right on down the beach. When he realizes he has gone too far his finds his way back by traveling the length of the line in the sand. I like the way the story maintains a balance between natural curiosity, wonder and exploration and the trepidation that a child feels when he realizes he may almost have gone too far for comfort. It's a lovely glimpse of an important childhood moment.

    If You Want to See a Whale book cover

    IF YOU WANT TO SEE A WHALE by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    Here's a lovely story about the rewards of patience, imagination, being in the moment, and close observations of one's surroundings — all key qualities of a summer well-spent. This is the perfect summer book to relax with at a picnic in the park.

    MORE: Children's Books about Picnics

    Flotsam by David Wiesner

    FLOTSAM by David Wiesner

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    Summer reading is a good time to take take the opportunity to enjoy the leisurely experience of reading a wordless book. Did you know that wordless books actually help develop reading comprehension and vocabulary? Magical, twisting perspectives invite readers to study Wiesner's exquisite watercolors in this wordless imaginative journey that begins with the discovery of a camera on a beach.

    Take Me Out to the Yakyu baseball picture book

    TAKE ME OUT TO THE YAKYU

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    It wouldn't be summer without eating a few hotdogs in the stands while cheering for your favorite team. Young baseball enthusiasts will love this clever picture book depicting the difference and similarities between American and Japanese baseball.

    MORE: Baseball picture books

    Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey book cover

    TRACTION MAN AND THE BEACH ODYSSEY by Mini Grey

    Find it: Amazon | Your Library

    If you aren't familiar with Mini Grey's Traction Man, you are in for a treat. Read this, the 3rd book in the series, on your beach blanket. This book guarantees lots of giggles (he's got a scrubbing brush sidekick for goodness' sake!) and fodder for imaginative play. I double-dog dare you to resist using your superhero voice when reading it aloud.

    There Might Be Lobsters summer book for kids

    THERE MIGHT BE LOBSTERS

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    This is a cute book about a girl's trip to the beach and how her little dog, Sukie, is afraid to go in the water. The girl works on helping Sukie feel confident and when her favorite toy gets swept out by a wave, the dog can be brave enough to go after it.

    Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm book cover

    HARVEY POTTER'S BALLOON FARM by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Mark Buehner

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    No list of summer books for kids would be complete without a book about a farm. Break out of the box with this amusing tale of an unusual, magical balloon farm. The narrator describes the farm as well as her attempts to discover the secrets of a successful balloon harvest.

    A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever picture book about summer

    A COUPLE OF BOYS HAVE THE BEST WEEK EVER by Marla Frazee

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    Frazee's popular book about two friends who spend their summer days doing everything and nothing, but having the greatest time ever, deftly captures what summer with friends is all about.

    MORE: Summer camp books for kids

    The Relatives Came summer picture book

    THE RELATIVES CAME by Cynthia Rylant

    Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

    Is your extended family coming for a visit this summer? I hope your reunion is as rowdy, messy, joyous and love-filled as this one. I especially love the illustrations, with overstuffed car bouncing down the narrow, and then the scramble of cousins and family members as they hug and play. Truly wonderful!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brittany says

      May 21, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Robert McCloskey is one of my favorites, and I love the choices you made for summer reading. There are some which will definitely be added to our list.

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        May 22, 2013 at 9:44 am

        Thanks, Brittany. I love McCloskey, too.

        Reply
    2. Jennifer Fischer says

      May 22, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      Always such great book suggestions on your site, of course! My library list keeps getting longer and longer with much assistance from you!

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        May 23, 2013 at 1:47 pm

        Thanks, Jen!

        Reply
    3. PragmaticMom says

      May 24, 2013 at 9:30 pm

      We love Love A Couple of Boys and Flotsam. McCloskey's One Morning in Maine is a personal favorite of mine too but my kids don't agree sadly!

      Reply
    4. Sharon says

      May 07, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Blueberries for Sale. McClosky too. My fave. I'm from Maine and feel so cozy reading this summer book about a a child and a cub gathering blueberries for Winter.

      Reply

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