Our Favorite Kids’ Books About Summer
Summer days are all about making memories with the kids, and what could be better than grabbing a blanket, having a picnic, and diving into a stack of books? Especially if they’re all about summer!
We’ve gathered some of our favorite summer titles for kids. From sandy beach days to camping under starlit skies and chasing after the ice cream truck, these books capture everything they’ll cherish about summer.
Board Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Summer by Eric Carle
Explore everything summer with The Very Hungry Caterpillar. There’s so much to enjoy during this season—listening to buzzing bugs, feeling the warm sunshine, and gazing at the clear blue sky. Because “summer is a season of endless fun.”
I’m Your Ice Cream Truck by Hannah Eliot
I am your ice cream truck!
I deliver sweet treats
that are cold and frosty
and delicious to eat!
Join the happiest ice cream truck as it rolls around to the school, the library, the pool, and beyond!
Bee: A Peek-Through Board Book by Britta Teckentrup
Come along and buzz around with Bee on her busy day! See everything she does on her own and with her hive. Kids will discover just how crucial bees are to nature and how they help plants and flowers thrive.
You’re My Little Sunshine by Nicola Edwards
You’re my little cupcake,
you’re good enough to eat!
I’ll sprinkle you with kisses,
you’re my sugar-frosted treat.
This is from one of our favorite board book series. Each page has rhyming text with colorful cutouts to show your little one just how much they’re loved.
Picture Books
Bubbles…Up! by Jacqueline Davies
Bubbles….up! Mouth bubbles, nose bubbles, ear bubbles, rear bubbles.
It’s a summer day at the community pool, and a young girl plunges in. Bubbles float up as the girl’s imagination fills with wonder. She waves to her mom, sitting on the edge of the pool, as she plays with friends. But then, a thunderstorm rolls in, and they all scramble for cover.
Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones
In a New York City neighborhood, an old fountain is spruced up for summer, becoming the perfect spot for neighborhood goldfish to vacation away from their fish bowls. Three excited kids bring their three goldfish to their new oasis, and soon, others do the same. What was once an eyesore becomes a place for neighbors to hang out and have fun.
This fun summer story is inspired by true events!
If You Spot a Shell by Aimée Sicuro
On the beach, a girl gathers shells and imagines all sorts of uses for them. She sees one as a swimming cap for diving into waves, another as a rocket ship to soar high in the sky, and a third as a tutu for dancing through the air.
This delightful book inspires kids to look at everyday things in fresh, creative ways.
Summer is Here by Renée Watson
What joy will summer bring me today?
Summer’s here, bringing the most perfect day filled with fresh fruit, swimming with friends, jumping rope, a cookout with family, sweet treats from the ice cream truck, and sunsets that paint the sky.
Jules vs. The Ocean by Jessie Sima
Jules is all set to build the biggest, fanciest, and most awesome sandcastle ever. She wants to impress her big sister! But the ocean keeps messing up her creations with its waves. To make matters worse, even her bucket gets swept away by the waves!
But then, Jules’ sister decides to join in, and together they finally build the biggest and fanciest sandcastle of all!
Pool Party by Amy Duchêne and Elisa Parhad
Splash, dash! It’s time for a pool bash!
Jump into the pool party vibes with this cool rhyming book, packed with vibrant and stylish illustrations. Because what screams summer more than a splashin’ pool party?
Natsumi’s Song of Summer by Robert Paul Weston
Natsumi’s name means “the sea in summer,” and she adores everything outdoors. But her true passion? Insects, especially cicadas.
When Natsumi’s cousin Jill visits from America during summer break, they find they share many interests despite living continents apart. Curious about the buzzing sounds in the trees, Jill turns to Natsumi, who introduces her cousin to the beloved cicadas.
It’s a heartfelt, poetic tale celebrating friendship and kindness.
The Little Ice Cream Truck by Margery Cuyler
I’m a little ice cream truck
it’s just another day.
I make the children happy,
I love my job–hooray!
Hop aboard with the happy ice cream truck and its driver, Lou, cruising through town on a scorching summer day, handing out frozen goodies to the kids. Young readers will adore the delightful illustrations and the cool crew of characters!
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
This nostalgic book is a perfect tribute to childhood summers!
It captures all the things we cherish about this season—playing hide-and-seek as the sun sets, swimming in the lake, roasting marshmallows by the campfire, chasing down the ice cream truck, riding bikes in parades, and so much more.
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Meet an imaginative crocodile who loves watermelon but has a big fear of swallowing its seeds! So, what happens when his worst fear actually comes true? Do vines sprout from his ears? Does his skin turn pink? Does his belly stretch?
Uh-oh! He feels something growing inside him until… BURP! This one’s bound to get kids giggling out loud.
The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan
Every year, the little blue cottage eagerly awaits summer, when a girl and her family arrive to spend their time there. They make memories together every summer, until one year, the girl stops coming. The little blue cottage feels lonely, wondering what happened to the girl and her family.
Finally, years later, the girl—now a mother herself—returns to the cottage with her own family. This heartwarming tale is sure to touch the hearts of both adults and children alike.
When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling
For one young girl, summer kicks off when Lola, her grandmother from the Philippines, comes for her yearly visit. In this book, the girl discovers summer through the smells that bring memories of Lola, like mango jam bubbling on the stove and the scent of chlorine from the pool.
As fall approaches, Lola has to head back home, but not before leaving a surprise that keeps the summer feeling alive a little longer.
Hot Dog by Doug Salarti
One dog has had it with summer in the city! The scorching sidewalks, blaring sirens, and endless crowds are too much. When he plants himself in the middle of a busy intersection, his owner knows it’s time for a beach day. They hitch a ride using a taxi, train, and ferry.
At the beach, this pup finally gets to run and bask in the cool breeze.
The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann
Ernestine is gearing up for her first camping adventure with her aunt and cousin. She’s got her packing list down pat and feels totally ready. But once they get there, Ernestine quickly learns that camping isn’t all smooth sailing! There are tough hills to trek, fish in the swimming lake, and setting up (and packing up) camp is a big job. Will Ernestine end up loving camping after all?
This one’s perfect for new campers who might be wondering what’s in store!
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