13 June 201924 February 2021 Kirsten

25 of the Best Summer Books for Kids

25 of the Best Summer Books for Kids

School’s out! The sun is shining! With no homework, it’s time for fun. Explore a wonderful collection of summer books for kids and your classroom.

Summer Books for Kids

School’s out! The sun is shining! With no homework, it’s time for fun and adventure. Whether you are at the beach, camping, having a picnic, sitting by the pool or visiting family grab a book to take with you.

Here you will find a wonderful collection of summer books for kids all set in the sun. You will find newly published books, but I am sure you will spot a few classics too.

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A List of Summer Vacation Picture Books

Celebrate the end of the school year with this great selection of summer books for kids.

And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner

A group of children wait for summer to arrive. We get to see them taking part in summer adventures such as watching fireworks, camping, waiting for ice cream trucks, swimming, toasting marshmallows and staying up late.

A Beach Tail by Karen P. Williams

Gregory draws a lion in the sand on a visit to the beach with his dad. As the tails grows longer Gregory finds many interesting objects. When he gets lost he retraces his steps, passing all the objects he found on the beach and is reunited with his dad.

Blackout by John Rocco

One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. One family go up to the roof to escape the heat and without the city lights they can see the stars. Out on the street, neighbours are talking and playing, enjoying not being busy with technology. When the electricity come back on, everything goes back to normal... well almost.

Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse

Tess looks up, pleading to the sky for rain. The city is in an endless heatwave with sticky sidewalks, plants dying and cats panting. As the gray clouds roll in Tess joins her best friend in their bathing suits to dance in the refreshing rain.

Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd

Two children discover a world of beauty on an adventure into nature. As they return to their urban home they realise the wild exists all around them.

Fireflies by Julie Brinckloe

A young boy loves the jar full of fireflies he has just caught, but when their light starts dim he sets them free to keep them alive.

Garmann's Summer by Stian Hole

As Garmann’s summer comes to an end he experiences anxiety about starting school. He talks with his family and discovers he is not the only one who has to face their fears. Reinforces the themes of anxiety, confidence, courage, fears and risk-taker.

Hot Day on Abbott Avenue by Karen English

On a humid summer’s day two girls, Kishi and Renée, sit on their separate front porches. It is best-friends-breakup day. While they wait for each other to apologise, they hear the sounds of other children playing in the street. They soon forget about being mad at each other and join in a game of jump rope.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Jabari is determined to jump off the diving board but his confidence wanes as he nears the ladder. His patient father reassures Jabari that it is okay to be scared. With new determination, he climbs the ladder and jumps.

A Lullaby of Summer Things by Natalie Ziarnik

After enjoying a day at the beach a little girl and her siblings get ready for bed. As they do they remember all the activities of the day, from chasing waves, playing with the dog and watching the boats go by.

Mama, Is It Summer Yet? by Nikki McClure

A little boy is so excited about summer he keeps asking “Mama, is it summer yet?” The reader observes the signs of spring turning to summer as the boy wears his swimsuit in preparation.

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner

Discover the interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond we see the sky reflecting in the water, but underneath we observe beavers, tadpoles and minnows in their natural habitat. Inspires curiosity and love of the natural world.

The Raft by Jim LaMarche

Spending time at his grandmother is not how Nicky wants to spend his summer. She expects him to do boring chores, especially fishing. One afternoon, while trying to catch fish for dinner a raft floats towards him. Adventures on the raft help Nicky become closer with his grandmother and appreciate his talent for art.

Sea Glass Summer by Michelle Houts

With his grandfather's old magnifying glass in hand, Thomas explores the beach. When his grandmother shows him a piece of sea glass he becomes transfixed and spends the rest of the summer searching for more of this treasure.

Seashells: More Than a Home by Melissa Stewart

Children observe and learn how shells provide more than a protective home to the molluscs who inhabit them. The non-fiction text describes the characteristics and versatility of thirteen different shells.

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker

A girl grieves the loss of her dog Sascha in this wordless picture book. The family goes on their summer holiday, but without Sascha, it won’t be the same. Promotes resilience, reflective and coping with grief.

Summer Color! by Diana Murray

Told in verse, two children explore nature and discover the colours of summer. Even when the rain comes down they continue their unique adventure into the countryside. Reinforces the themes of family, imagination and nature.

Summer Evening by Walter de la Mare

Based on Walter de la Mare's Summer Evening poem. A farmer and his family take a picnic under the late summer sun. The illustrations offer much to explore, especially when the pet cat chases a dog, a horse, cows, pigs, chickens and ducks.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read by Curtis Manley

Nick tries to teach his cats, Verne and Stevenson, to read but it is not all plain sailing. How will Nick share his love of reading with his two favourite felines?

Summer Sun Risin' by W. Nikola-Lisa

A poetic story of a boy and his life on a Texas farm in the 1950s. Waking up early, he works hard to help his farmer on the farm. In the afternoon, they go fishing before they end this summer day eating dinner as a family.

Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

Captain Swashby loves living alone by the sea. When a young girl and her grandma move next door he wants them to the leave. He writes them notes in the sand which the sea washes away. His disappearing messages forces him to talk with his new neighbours.

Waiting for Chicken Smith by David Mackintosh

Every year a boy meets his friend Chicken Smith on holiday. But this year is different, Chicken Smith doesn't show up. His sister encourages him to climb the lighthouse to look for whales. His disappointment in not seeing his friend is helped when he sees a whale for the first time.

Waiting for High Tide by Nikki McClure

As a young boy eagerly waits for the high tide he searches the beach for treasures and animals. When the high tide arrives he swims and dives off the log raft built by his family.

Wild Berries by Julie Flett

A Cree boy and his grandmother spend a summer's day picking wild blueberries. This bilingual book explores the Cree tradition of berry-picking, nature and includes a blueberry pie recipe.

In Conclusion...

Do you have any favourite summer books for kids to read before the summer holidays? Let me know in the comments below. It would be great to have a selection of summer vacation picture books to choose from when I update this post.

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