For kids, summer is a season closely associated with a three-month long vacation characterized by endless hours at the pool or local park, but it’s also the perfect time for youngsters to grow their reading skills. Children want to bask in the freedom from school responsibilities, and what better way to encourage them than with stories that are both fun and insightful?
We’ve gathered eight children’s books that can inspire the caregivers of children to add reading recreationally to their summer plans this year. Written by a diverse selection of authors, these selections will prompt young readers to use their imagination and connect ideas about nature, identity, and community.
Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer by Kenard Pak, 4-8 years
From Kenard Pak’s Changing Seasons series, this book follows the adventures of a young girl exploring the aspects of nature present during the summer. Everyone knows summer is on the horizon, and the girl can’t wait to traverse plains, forests, and hills, developing conversations with various living things along the way. Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer, along with the rest of the collection, helps children prepare for and appreciate the liveliness and qualities of each fast-approaching season.
City Summer, Country Summer by Kiese Laymon, 5-9 years
Kiese Laymon is the award-winning author of Heavy: An American Memoir, a tale of his experiences growing up as a young Black boy in Mississippi. He brings his upbringing and perspective to City Summer, Country Summer, a children’s picture book about three Black boys spending a formative summer in Laymon’s home state. Their story illuminates the important and complex nature of Black boyhood and friendship.
Let’s Be Bees by Shawn Harris, 4-8 years
The power of make-believe has been the foundation of many kids’ childhoods, allowing their imaginations to grow and expand without restrictions. The author of Have You Ever Seen a Flower? brings this idea to life in Let’s Be Bees. Harris uses bright crayon illustrations and rhythmic words to create a story about father-child bonds that is sweeter than honey.
What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest? By Rachel Ignotofsky, 4-7 years
Aside from the sights, one of the best parts of the changing seasons is the sounds emblematic of summer. Rachel Ignotofsky uses this concept for What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest? to explore the depths of a bird’s chirping outside the window. The author’s mix of humor, compassion, and informative content answers all the pertinent questions about birds, eggs, and nests as part of this nonfiction children’s book series.
Swimming Into Trouble by Angela Ahn, 7-10 years
The water is where a lot of children find their voice and develop an identity. When the main character of Swimming Into Trouble, Julia, is temporarily unable to swim due to an ear infection, she goes to great lengths to find a solution. The Mountainview Community Center is her second home, and not because her parents own the center’s sushi restaurant. The youngest swimmer on the team, Julia must prove herself and qualify for a regional swim meet by excelling on Personal Best Day, but can she get herself back in the water? She plots a scheme that lands her in a difficult position, and the community center must come to her rescue.
It Began with Lemonade by Gideon Sterer, 4-8 years
Lemonade stands have long been a staple of the summertime, and the same applies to It Began With Lemonade. A spirited young girl wants to sell lemonade on a sweltering summer day, but she quickly discovers other kids have the same entrepreneurial spirit. In trying to separate herself from the competition, she winds up at the river’s edge with a very interesting clientele.
Small Sparkling Raindrop by Mary Auld, 5-8 years
Mary Auld’s series, Start Small, Think Big, invites young readers to engage with both familiar and new topics. Published in March, Small Sparkling Raindrop includes a raindrop’s journey from the cloud to the sea. This experience teaches children about the water cycle and other elementary-school science concepts, ultimately opening up the conversation about water’s importance for both humans and wildlife.
Home by Matt de la Peña, 4-8 years
“Home” is a concept with several definitions, each with its own significance and place in human life. What better time to discuss the different types of homes than during the freedom of the summer, where belonging is constantly being renegotiated? Matt de la Peña showcases a variety through lyrical text and expressive artwork, celebrating homes as people, communities, and the natural world. A Spanish-language edition, Hogar, is also available.
Summer reading is essential for children to maintain and improve their reading skills. Books that promote the season as a time of exploration and adventure can help children expand their knowledge and perspectives through engaging, colorful, and thought-provoking literature.
Looking for children’s books about the springtime? Click here.
Check out these and more on our Mini Bookworms Delightful Recommendations booklist on Bookshop.org!
