Summer is for nothing if not reading and adventuring and dripping cherry ice cream cones. And bubbles in your ears as you plunge deep into the blue. We’re sharing some of our favorite picture books to read during this carefree and gloriously hot season. We’d love to hear some of your favorites in the comments below.
Boats on the Bay’s simple, serene text coupled with stunning, sweeping illustrations tell the story of a day in the life of the San Francisco Bay. Illustrator Grady McFerrin does an incredble job highlighting the meaningful landmarks that make living in the Bay area a beautiful and unique experience. A few readings of Boats on the Bay will make you feel like you’re out bobbing on the water breathing in its cold, wet air, taking in a fresh perspective and a welcome break from the sometimes congested life on land. It’s one of the loveliest, most thoughtful tributes to San Francisco. No question one of our favorite books, for so many reasons. Click here to view the interiors of the book.
Boats on the Bay was written by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Grady McFerrin and published by Cameron Kids.
Water in the Park is a “day in the life” of a park and its people and animals, from the wading dogs and turtles in the pond, to the babies playing in the sprinklers. It's a celebration of community, and the lovely green space of the park that brings it together in meetings and interactions throughout the day.
In her note about the story, author Emily Jenkins says, "The story comes from my spending early mornings and evenings in Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, New York, one summer when we had many, many ninety-eight-degree days. I watched people and thought about the way the park's water is used differently by all the inhabitants of the neighborhood, human and animal." Water in the Park was wonderfully illustrated by Stephanie Graegin.
This book smells of summer and captures its nostalgia in so many lovely ways--it's definitely a great book to welcome this year's warm season. Click here to view the interiors of the book.
We’re great fans of Walter de la Mare’s poetry. In Summer Evening, we join a farmer and his family as they have dinner outside on a golden evening with Carolina Rabei’s orange and yellow landscapes exuding beautiful warmth, conviviality and living in the moment. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Summer Evening was written by Walter de la Mare, illustrated by Carolina Rabei and published by Faber & Faber Children’s.
When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano and Julie Morstad takes us through the seasons, starting and ending with March 20th, the vernal equinox — also known as the first day of spring. This winsome collection of poetry allows readers to see and feel the nuances and small beauties of each passing season. It’s perfect for summer and any day of the year. Click here to view interiors of the book.
For one young girl, summer is her favorite time of the year because it means an annual trip to the remote Alaskan tundra. There she usually searches for jellyfish with her brothers on the pebbled shore, picks tundra berries and makes forts. But this summer will be a momentous one — she’s finally old enough to join her mother’s salmon-fishing crew! There’s much to be done while they wait for the salmon to come. When the day finally arrives, the crew heads out at 4:00 am in the rain and whipping wind. Salmon fishing is hard, but there’s the satisfaction of taking on new challenges and a job well done — plus being able to watch the sun rise over Bristol Bay. We absolutely loved this story of family tradition and coming of age, inspired by the author and illustrator’s own summers spent in Coffee Point, Alaska. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Sunrise Summer was written by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr and published by Imprint.
For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool, of picking golden limes off the trees. But summer doesn’t start until her lola—her grandmother from the Philippines—comes for her annual visit. Summer is special. For her lola fills the house with the aroma of mango jam, funny stories of baking mishaps, and her quiet sweet singing in Tagalog. And in turn, her granddaughter brings Lola to the beach, to view fireworks at the park, and to catch fish at their lake. When Lola comes, the whole family gathers to cook and eat and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, her lola must return home—but not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer. Click here to view a book trailer.
When Lola Visits written by Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Aaron Asis and published by Katherine Tegen Books.
In this charming book, one little boy can’t wait for summer to arrive. He keeps asking, “Mama, is it summer yet?” Mama responds saying, ”Not yet,” but there are plenty of signs that indicate spring is changing into summer: The earth is soft and there are seeds to plant, birds singing, ducklings in the pond, and pink blossoms blooming. The young boy even wears his bathing suit and carries a beach pail in preparation, but will it ever be summer?
The text is a wonderful celebration of the change of seasons and showcases Nikki’s images of nature and the joys of family and community.
Mama, Is It Summer Yet? was written and illustrated by Nikki McClure and published by Abrams Appleseed. Cover image and synopsis courtesy of publisher.
Summer Supper ushers in the warmest season of the year with a lovely and lively story about a farm-to-table meal in the company of family and friends on a beautiful summer eve. This alliterative story consists of words all beginning with the letter “s” making for a fun and jaunty read-aloud. Mike Austin’s illustrations are bold, vibrant, colorful and sing of summer. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Summer Supper was written by Rubin Pfeffer, illustrated by Mike Austin and published by Random House Books for Young Readers.
Books and cats are two of Nick’s most favorite things in life and one day the idea occurs to him to teach his cats Verne and Stevenson to read. One of the pair — the generally grumpier of the two, Stevenson — is a little less enthusiastic than the other to learn. Nick and Verne devise a plan to win him over. This sweet, lovely and whimsical story is an ode to children’s imaginations, books, reading and the beloved animals in our lives. Click here to view the interiors of the book.
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read was written by Curtis Manley, illustrated by Kate Berube and published by Paula Wiseman Books.
Elisha Cooper’s Beach is summer encapsulated in his characteristic lovely and poetic watercolors.
“Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves. Away to swimsuits and sunscreen, to lying on towels and listening to the sound of the ocean. As the day begins, the beach is empty, waiting to be filled.“
Elisha Cooper on Beach: “I did most of the drawings for this book on Lake Michigan. Our home in Chicago was near the lake, and I’d go there with my daughters to play and swim, and sketch bathers. Since there are salty aspects to beaches, I flew back East and sketched seaweed and crabs. I remembered beaches I loved when I was young, from Fire Island to Cape Hatteras. Then I put all these sketches together into one summer day at the beach. So the beach in this book looks like the Hamptons but has Midwestern roots (the lighthouse here is at the head of the Chicago River). Even a city beach has details that make a beach a beach: sand, seagulls, and bathers in funny swimsuits.”
Beach was written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper and published by Orchard Books.
A little boy knows just what will quench the heat of this summer day in Los Angeles — an ice cold paleta! With dinero in hand, he sings his way to Paletero José’s, passing other delicious food landmarks on the way. But when he reaches Paletero José’s cart, his money is missing! Just how will he buy his much-needed paleta on this hottest of days? A vibrant, melodic celebration of friendship, community, Mexican culture and the rich diversity of LA. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Paletero Man was written by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player and published by HarperCollins.
A lively tale of a cool invention. Frank William Epperson is a curious boy who loves inventing. And since inventing begins with experimenting, he spends a lot of time in his “laboratory” (i.e., his back porch) trying out his ideas. When he invents a yummy flavored soda water drink, his friends love it! And this gets him thinking: “I wonder what this drink would taste like frozen?” Though he doesn't yet know it, Frank's curiosity will lead to his best invention ever: the Popsicle! This delicious story includes hands-on experiments and is sure to whet the appetites of budding inventors everywhere!
The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle was written by Anne Renaud, illustrated by Milan Pavlovic and published by Kids Can Press. Cover image and synopsis courtesy of publisher.
An ordinary day turns into an afternoon of bubble magic — plunging into bubbles light as butterflies, shooting like a rocket ship and zooming like a car underwater. Bubbles everywhere! This happy-go-lucky, buoyant story brought us back to the wonder and delight and freedom of childhood summer swims. As you dip and dive through its pages, you’ll hear the unmistakable sound of bubbles in your ears, too. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Bubbles…Up! was written by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez and published by Katherine Tegen Books.
The Khazi family is going camping for the first time and for Fatima, it’s like a reward after a long, trying week of homework, getting in trouble and getting teased for the way she talks at school. Extra delicious samosas from Mama and Bollywood songs spilling out from the windows of the car kick off a promising weekend. During the family’s time in the wilderness, they laugh around the campfire, tell funny stories from India and *almost* get eaten alive by a giant spider outside their tent! Fatima also learns that she is capable of doing many things, like building fires and assembling tents. She’s so very sad to leave all of the adventure and wonderful time with her family behind, not to mention the feeling that she can do anything. Fatima’s sister wisely reminds her that there’s a way for the magic to live on — through sharing stories of their time together and dreaming about their next trip! A celebration of Indian culture and family and an ode to the great outdoors. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Fatima’s Great Outdoors was written by Ambreen Tariq, illustrated by Stevie Lewis and published by Kokila Books.
Through devoted mentorship and innovative training, local Hawaiian science teacher turned coach Soichi Sakamoto takes a group of ragtag swimmers from the irrigation ditches of sugar plantations on Maui to winning Olympic gold medals. Vibrant, energetic art and lyrical and rhyming text tell this extraordinary story of perseverance, pride and strength. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Sakamoto’s Swim Club was written by Julie Abery, illustrated by Christopher Sasaki and published by Kids Can Press.
The great outdoors beckons readers from the first page turn in this incredible book. It’s a celebration of the natural beauty and wonders of our national parks. The parks featured in the book are Acadia, Badlands, Big Bend, Biscayne, Bryce Canyon, Channel Islands, Death Valley, Denali, Everglades, Glacier, Glacier Bay, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky, Mountains, Hawaii volcanoes, Isle Royal, Mesa Verde, Olympic, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone and Yosemite. Each park is illustrated with glorious and inspiring color alongside informative text about its native flora, fauna and unique features. The book also includes maps, a seek-and-find challenge and an index. Finished with a cloth cover and debossed title, this book is an absolute treasure. Click here to view interiors of the book.
National Parks of the USA was written by Kate Siber, illustrated by Chris Turnham and published by Wide Eyed Editions.
It’s 4th of July and a Chinese American girl and her parents have conflicting ideas of how to celebrate it. A lovely, heartwarming story about the melding of two cultures. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Apple Pie 4th of July was written by Janet S. Wong, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine and published by HMH Books for Young Readers.
Wonderfully spare, deceptively simple verses pair with richly evocative paintings to celebrate the iconic imagery of our nation, beginning with the American flag. Each spread, sumptuously illustrated by award-winning artist Kadir Nelson, depicts a stirring tableau, from the view of the Statue of Library at Ellis Island to civil rights marchers shoulder to shoulder, to a spacecraft at Cape Canaveral blasting off. This book is an ode to America then and now, from sea to shining sea. Cover image and synopsis courtesy of publisher.
Blue Sky White Stars was written by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson and published by Dial Books.
Natsumi, whose name means “the sea in summer” loves everything about the season including swimming, running on soft grass and the cool bursts of plum rain. But what she loves most are the cicadas, and their chirrup songs that fill the air. Summer is also when her cousin Jill will be visiting for the first time. Natsumi is excited to share mouthfuls of watermelon, the glowing paper lanterns of the obon festival, and fireworks along the riverbank with her. And Natsumi has one more special thing to share with Jill before she flies home — her beloved thrumming cicadas, but will Jill be scared of them? Written in a series of tanka poems, Natsumi’s Song of Summer is an endearing story about family, the delight of shared experiences and the wonder and awe that summer brings.
Natsumi’s Song of Summer was written by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Misa Saburi and published by Tundra Books.
A lyrical, glorious ode to treehouses and the imaginative, adventurous children who dream them up. We can’t even begin to tell you how beautiful this book is, inside and out. It epitomizes the best aspects of childhood — its unfettered creativity, wild imagination, ingenious resourcefulness and inexhaustible magic. This book is tremendous, and is the type to keep on giving with each read. If you buy one book this spring...this should most definitely be it. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Everything You Need for a Treehouse was written by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Emily Hughes and published by Chronicle Books.
A girl grows up vacationing in a little blue cottage by the bay. She and the cottage spend many lovely summers together through sun and rain and the occasional storm. One year, the summer season rolls in and as always, the cottage looks forward to the girl’s stay but for some reason, she never arrives. The cottage feels forgotten, growing more empty and gray each year, but there is always the hope of the girl’s return. A story about growing up, and the inevitable change that it brings, as well as a lovely ode to our favorite places and the unforgettable times we spend at them. Click here to view interiors of the book.
The Little Blue Cottage was written by Kelly Jordan, illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle and published by Page Street Kids.
A strangely delightful and unexpected tale about one hot summer in the city, three children and their three goldfish. Who are joined by a whole lot more children and their goldfish. When you can’t leave the city for a vacation...there’s only one thing to do. It’s a sunny, lighthearted story with a nostalgic nod to simpler, more carefree times that has us pining for summer warmth...and an unusual vacation! Click here to view interiors of the book.
Goldfish on Vacation was written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Leo Espinosa and published by Schwartz & Wade.
On the hottest day of the year—hotter than broccoli soup and hotter than the Atacama Desert—a boy and his grandad are on the hunt for the perfect picnic spot. Their sun-filled search becomes long and drawn-out but proves fruitful. What ensues is an epic afternoon replete with gleaming adventure, new friends and patience rewarded. To be immersed in Sam Usher's sweeping, picturesque watercolors and magical visual storytelling is an incredible treat—don't miss out on this one.
SUN is the third story in Sam Usher's seasonal series and was published by Templar.
In The Airport Book, Lisa really captures the buzz and the busyness, the to and fro of eager passengers and the huge, maze-like nature of airports. In addition to offering insights on the various parts and details of airport life, we follow the lovely story of a traveling family whose youngest member is searching for her lost sock monkey. A wonderful introduction to flying for younger children.
The Airport Book was written and illustrated by Roaring Brook Press.
One of our favorite pair of brothers is back with their fourth book! Charlie and Mouse are out camping and are having a grand time telling stories about dragons and great green mountains, eating French fries until the rain stops, hiking and roasting marshmallows. Charlie and Mouse is perfect for young readers learning to decode complex word patterns and multisyllabic words, and it’s filled with those quirky and laughable moments of childhood that you can’t help but savor. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Charlie & Mouse Outdoors was written by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Emily Hughes and published by Chronicle Books.
In How I Spent My Summer Vacation, Wallace Bluff takes a train out west to visit his Aunt Fern in her house on the plains but ends up being captured by cowboys who recruit him as a cowhand. A hilarious and absurd tale good for a laugh or ten.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation was written and illustrated by Mark Teague and published by Dragonfly Books.
Now that Jabari has finished his swimming lessons, it's time for him to take the plunge—to jump off the oh so high diving board into the deep blue water for the first time ever. He's a little more than hesitant, and stalls quite a bit, until his dad lovingly intervenes. A story to remind children that new experiences are not always as scary as they seem. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Jabari Jumps was written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall and published by Candlewick Press.
Highly reluctant at first, a girl slowly warms up to taking part in her weekly Saturday swimming lessons to the credit of her gentle and ever-so-patient teacher (and mother). A charming story for readers who are hesitant to get in the water or anyone who grew up with similar childhood memories! Click here to view interiors of the book.
Saturday Is Swimming Day was written and illustrated by Hyewon Yum and published by Candlewick Press.
Wave is a wordless wonder about the exuberant conversation between a girl and a wave on a sunny day. Suzy Lee's illustrations, rendered in charcoal and acrylics, are imbued with expression and life. Her books are worth seeking out, if you haven't had a chance to experience them yet.
Wave was written and illustrated by Suzy Lee and published by Chronicle Books.
Today we’re drinking in the serene blue beauty of AQUARIUM. It’s a wordless story about the joys of childhood, friendship and knowing when to let go. Cynthia Alonso’s colors are inventive and modern and her illustrations really pull you into this little girl’s blissful, whimsical and nature-filled world. Once you see them, you’ll want to dive into these pages, too. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Aquarium was written and illustrated by Cynthia Alonso and published by Chronicle Books
A surprise wake-up leads a family on a nocturnal adventure under an inky black sky surrounded by summer’s honeysuckle and iris-scented air. They pass immense houses lit like chandeliers and other houses that are almost asleep with only one eye open. Into the countryside they ramble, their eyes adjusting to the night until they reach their final destination. A beautiful story about creating meaningful, unforgettable moments in this ephemeral life. Click here to view interiors of the book.
The Night Walk was written and illustrated by Marie Dorléans and published by Floris Books.
One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights--in stars that can be seen for a change--and so many neighbors it's like a block party in the sky! On the street below, people are having just as much fun--talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts. The boy and his family enjoy being not so busy for once. They even have time to play a board game together. When the electricity is restored, everything can go back to normal . . . but not everyone likes normal. The boy switches off the lights, and out comes the board game again.
Using a combination of panels and full bleed illustrations that move from color to black-and-white and back to color, John Rocco shows that if we are willing to put our cares aside for a while, there is party potential in a summer blackout. Cover image and synopsis courtesy of publisher.
Blackout was written and illustrated by John Rocco and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
It’s a big day — a father and child are getting ready for a hike through the forest. While out trekking, they spot animal tracks and various wildlife, big and small. They marvel at nature’s wonders, breathtaking views and even play a small part in the preservation of the forest. Back home, the pair reminisce about their trip and document their cherished memories in a family album. It’s been a majestic day and a bonding experience that neither will ever forget. A gorgeous wordless book about time well spent with loved ones and gratitude for nature’s splendor. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Hike was written and illustrated by Pete Oswald, and published by Candlewick Press.
So lovely and sincere, this almost wordless picture book from Daniel Miyares is about neighbors becoming friends and creative endeavors that arise in a free and unfettered childhood. Warm colors begin to brighten the mostly gray palette throughout the book as the two neighbors’ acquaintance evolves into a rich friendship. A perfect book to usher in the coming summer. Click here to view interiors of the book.
That Neighborhood Kid was written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
A book not just about pie, but all of the things that we share with friends that make for wonderful moments. The prose in this one is simple yet meaningful and glorious in its message. It’s a perfect book for summer with its slower days and more opportunities for making connections and of course, sharing our favorite things. Click here to view interiors of the book.
Pie Is for Sharing was written by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard, illustrated by Jason Chin and published by Roaring Brook Press.
A brother and sister spend the summer at their grandparents’ farm, making their daily rounds hunting for eggs in the chicken coop, “barking the cows home,” and spending some quality time with the watermelon in their grandmother’s garden. Their circle of companions during this “rooster summer” includes Ginger-Tea the farm dog, Seed-Sack the mule and a rooster named Rexter.
Written in verse, this special collection of stories evokes the warm, wild and carefree cadences of summer and are based on poet Robert Heidbreder’s childhood experiences. Paired with Madeline Kloepper’s unique art with its charming, vintage quality and energetic line, these poems make for a humorous and lively read-aloud, any season of the year. Click here to view the interiors of the book.
Rooster Summer was written by Robert Heidbreder, illustrated by Madeline Kloepper and published by Groundwood Books.
“When you next feel the wind brush by, think about where it has come from and where it goes. Some of it has touched the tops of mountains deep within the Sahara. Some carries the fragrant pine scent from the vast Siberian taiga forests. Or perhaps it has come from the yawning jaws of a lion on the African grasslands. Every breeze brings a story of its journey. If you listen hard enough, you can hear its whisper. It is the quiet call to adventure, asking you to step into the wild.”
This just might be the ultimate book of adventuring we’ve ever come across—it’s the work of an unknown artist and adventurer. “If you are reading this, it means my notebooks have been found. I am leaving them here at camp for safekeeping along with a few other belongings that I won’t be taking with me. The notebooks are a lifetime’s worth of knowledge, which I’m passing on to you.” The mysterious author offers meticulous advice about camping in the wild, rafting, sailing, expeditions, building shelters, exploring, navigating and other invaluable references for everything under the sun. Pore over this one for hours, and don’t leave home without it. May it inspire an adventure or two. Click here to view interiors of the book.
The Lost Book of Adventure: From the Notebooks of the Unknown Adventurer was edited by Teddy Keen and published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.
Such an apt book for summer. Where to find wild?
“Wild keeps many secrets, waiting to be discovered—
like its candy: honey from bees and sap from trees,
swift-meting snowflake and juice-bursting blackberries.”
I would love to know where everyone goes to find wild in their neck of the woods. If you’re ever in San Francisco and you find your way to Mount Sutro, take this book with you. ;)
Finding Wild was written by Megan Wagner Lloyd and illustrated by Abigail Halpin and published by Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Ernestine is preparing for her first camping trip ever with Aunt Jackie and cousin Samantha! She makes sure to pack everything she needs, and the car ride up to Cedar Tree Campground is filled with anticipation. But the wilderness turns out to be a lot different than what Ernestine expected — she’s afraid that the fish in the pond might bite her, hiking is a lot more tiring than her morning walks to school and she turns her nose up at the tofu hot dogs and broccoli salad for dinner. But worst of all, tossing and turning at night, Ernestine can’t fall asleep! Will she be able to enjoy the great outdoors after all? A wonderful story to prepare kids for their first time camping, as well as a reminder that dipping your toes into new and unknown experiences can yield great rewards and beautiful memories. Click here to view interiors of the book.
The Camping Trip was written and illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann and published by Candlewick Press.
Both the narrative and images in See You Next Year evoke a lovely nostalgia that draw you into one girl's annual summer trip to the shore, as well as invite you to reflect on your own early memories of vacations taken during this sweltering mid-year season.
We enjoyed the girl's quiet observations of the sights and sounds at the beach, reveled in her new experiences and partook in her joy in making a new friend. Not surprisingly, after reading See You Next Summer, you'll long for a few more of your own bonfires on the beach before the summer is up. It’s a perfect read for ebbing summer days.
See You Next Year was written by Andrew Larsen and Todd Stewart and published by Owl Kids.
The transition from summer to fall is palpable in Kenard Pak’s Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn. We love the book's gentle beauty, its strong visual narrative and how the seasons are protagonists in the story. It’s a perfect book for observing the seasonal transformations, savoring the last weeks of summer and looking ahead to fall as September evenings bring hints of autumn.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn was written and illustrated by Kenard Pak and published by Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers.