Many schools give out lists of required and recommended summer reading for kindergarten through older grades. But what if you would like to expand beyond requirements? What if you are looking for fun summer picture books to read aloud to the kids in your life?
These quality picture books are full of seasonal topics meant to celebrate summer and pique children's interest. Those looking for picture books for kindergarteners and summer read alouds, first grade to second grade, will find something intriguing in the books below.
Help kids kick off summer by reading them a book about the beginning of the season. A community comes together to savor the golden days of summer and celebrate the summer solstice, by gathering in a large community flower garden. Summer Solstice Wish is a joyful celebration of the glorious long days of summer that seem to pass all too quickly. This gorgeous book is set in the Pacific Northwest and inspired by a Scandinavian tradition of making flower crowns to mark the summer solstice. Back matter includes information about what's happening, scientifically, during a summer solstice and suggestions for how to make a flower crown.
Read this to kids who feel nervous about jumping into the pool. As a small girl stands at the edge of a diving board, she fears the drain at the bottom of the pool will swallow her up. Determined to learn how to dive, she musters up her courage by imagining other possibilities of what she might find under the surface, like mermaid mazes and lantern fish. Through lyrical text and enchanting illustrations, A Dive into the Blue explores a child's imagination as she learns to overcome her fears.
Hand this sweet friendship story works to those seeking books for kids about friends moving away, or books for kids who like to gaze at the night sky. When Vera's best friend moves to the other side of the world, she feels adrift. She asks her special wishing star to bring her friend back, but then her star disappears too! Vera's journey through loneliness leads to surprising discoveries about new friends and the special way she is still connected to her best friend. Back matter supports children and parents when a friend moves away, while also exploring STEM connections through the making of a star map.
The Boredom Monster (coming soon)
There is good that comes from boredom, and summer is a great time for kids to learn that lesson. Cameron is faced with a no-screens, very dreary, worst day ever. Oh, the misery! But when his ordinary living room transforms into the land of Boredom, Cameron wanders into a bleak landscape where everything seems terribly tedious and drowsily dull. But then a mysterious, friendly monster appears and Cameron learns to celebrate the silence of a distraction-free world and finds his creative spark. Co-created by Mariana Ellery and Clara Reschke, this fantastical picture book is perfect for inspiring imaginative play.
Set on the playground, this story begins with a group of kids who find an ordinary rock. "It's a dinosaur seed!" Flora declares. Wyatt and Cece immediately catch on, and the three kids plant the seed and wonder what it will grow into, building on each other's ideas. The Dinosaur Seed captures the creativity and authentic voice of kids left to their own devices. The individual personalities of Cece, Flora, Wyatt, and Victor shine as they dream a boring rock into a spectacular adventure together, modeling cooperative, inclusive play.
Encourage children to explore their feelings using chalk art! When Squirrel is having a hard time controlling his emotions and his body, his squirrelly behavior causes such a commotion that Porcupine gets all prickly and Bear has a ROARful day. Until Squirrel turns to chalk art to express his big feelings: "With each squiggly line, Squirrel felt better. Art felt like a quiet hug." After some initial hesitation and insecurity over whether they can make art too, Porcupine and Bear join Squirrel in drawing their hearts out. Turns out, friendship and sharing are coping skills too.
Emma's Awesome Summer Camp Adventure
Emma is going to her first summer camp, and she is so excited! Camp Waterfall is an accessible camp, which means that Emma, Charley, and a host of new friends with different abilities can all participate, with nobody feeling left out or getting left behind. Join Emma and her friends as they face obstacles, overcome fears of trying new things, and discover what's possible in a place that's really built for all. Children will cheer along with Emma every step of the way, and will learn that an inclusive, accessible world for all is truly possible!
Kicking off summer with Pride Month? Visit our collection of children's books that support gay parents, LGBTQ families, and allies, young and old.
Attending a graduation this summer? Here's a list of book-ish gifts for grads (high school age and up).
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