We are heading into the final month of summer (if you are going as I count the calendar) but, really, the final weeks until school starts (HOW does mid-August sneak up on me EVERY year???). Target really hurt my feelings by already having school supplies out THREE weeks ago (TOO SOON, Target! TOO SOON.). But, the fact remain, school is starting soon which means our laid back summer days (and summer bed times and wake-up times) are coming to an end very soon. But not the heat, that will stick around for quite awhile still (including on our usual mid-September picture day where everyone has to dress-up which for boys means pants and it always ends up on a very hot day!).
Between packing in the last bits of summer to our schedule and continuing to somewhat ignore bedtimes, we will also be packing in as many picture books before homework threatened more of our limited time with Luke each day. These work for summer or year-round!
If you need MORE picture book suggestions, I made {100} Picture Books for the Summer lists in 2019 and 2017, and have {30} Picture Books to Kick-Off Summer and {36} Summery Picture Books, both from 2021. I also post a picture book we've enjoyed on Instagram nearly every single Thursday and you can see all of those by following me or just the tag!
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How to Code a Rollercoaster by Josh Funk, illustrated by Sara Palacios
I know nothing about coding but this was a fun way to introduce it to my kids! Rollercoasters seem summery, right?
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
This is a gorgeously done picture book about the beauty of all skin colors, especially those with the darkest color. My other memory of this book is how my hold got messed up TWICE at the library, it was a relief when we finally got a copy!
If I Couldn't Be Anne by Kallie George, illustrated by Genevieve Godbout
I've enjoyed a couple of these Anne of Green Gables picture books by this duo. Anne has some good lessons to teach kids about imagination!
Straw by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Scott Magoon
I'm not sure my kids got all the pun-humor in this book but I appreciated it!
River by Elisha Cooper
This author does these deep dive picture books that tell beautiful stories about a particular journey or place. This one is about a canoe journey on a river that sounds arduous but very rewarding.
'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak
About a Hawaiian family preparing for a luau on their taro farm. Beautiful celebration of family and their culture.
Lola Dutch by Kenneth Wright, illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright
"Lola Dutch was just a little too much" which is maybe an opening sentance many parents can relate too! I'm still not quite sure if the animals are her family? Or just her imagination?? But still charming even with the confusion.
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
This has been a big favorite of Sam's lately so I've read it A LOT. A take on the Goldilocks and the three bears fairy tale but Goldilocks enters the home of three dinosaurs instead. I think this is a rather clever story but it's Mo Willems so that's not surprising.
Once Upon a Goat by Dan Richards, illustrated by Eric Barclay
Another twisted fairy tale about a goat and princess who are switched at birth. I think they should have realized that the goat wasn't their child?? (I have NO patience for people who consider their pets their children.)
I am Goose! by Dorothia Rohner, illustrated by Vanya Nastanlieva
Maybe a Goose isn't the best person to play "Duck, Duck, Goose" with! Or maybe this particular goose isn't a good one to play it with!
Jasper & Ollie by Alex Willan
Luke in particular enjoyed this book last summer, I know I read it a lot of times to him! Jasper and Ollie are unexpected friends - a sloth and an impatient fox. It's not the best pairing for friends and they have some misunderstandings for it!
The Friendship Book by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
This is such a sweet little book with darling pictures (her style is very recognizable to us after 2 full readings of the Heartwood Hotel series). Always a good reminder what it takes to be a good friend!
Boxitects by Kim Smith
Is there any better plaything for kids than a big box? Sam will even settle for any medium-sized box he can even sorta fit in. We've never made a castle with boxes but now our boys dream of something that big out of boxes!
Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
Little Crab and Big Crab are going to try swimming in the ocean instead of just their little rock pool. Naturally, this brings up a little anxiety in Little Crab. Helps kids be a little braver and a bit less anxious when trying new things!
A Place for Pluto by Stef Wade, illustrated by Melanie Demmer
We've read and loved a great many books than humanize the planets and this was about a Pluto that was a little lost after losing his planet status. Luke declared Pluto his favorite planet after multiple readings of this book.
The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan, illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Reminded me of The Little House book I read so many times as a kid (and I've now read to my kids). This Little Blue Cottage spends all year waiting for the girl to show up in the summer and then one summer she stops coming. What is the cottage going to do?
Hike by Pete Oswald
This follows a father and son as they wake up and go on a hike. Much more intense than any hike I've done but lovely to read about!
Linus the Little Yellow Pencil by Scott Magoon
Linus the pencil SHOULD get along with his eraser, Ernie, that would make life a whole lot easier, especially with a family art show coming up. So they will need to learn to work together!
Moon: A Peek-Through Book by Britta Teckentrup
Britta Teckentrup does beautiful art in many books and this series of peek-through books are just so well done with amazing pictures and cut-outs that really add to the story!
The Word for Friend by Aidan Cassie
Learning how to make friends when you don't speak the same language!
Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley
This bear makes doughnuts after doughnuts for all of her woodland friends without remembering to save any for herself! Which is a problem because this bear will need to eat up for the winter soon!
National Regular Average Ordinary Day by Lisa Katzenberger
Peter decides to make up a holiday but that turns out to be a whole lot of work! Then he learns there there is a lot of beauty in the ordinary.
Where is Our Library? by Josh Funk, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
We really enjoyed the first in this little series about the lions (Patience and Fortitude) that guard the 5th Avenue location of the New York Public Library. In this book Patience and Fortitude realize their books have gone missing and set out on a journey across NYC to find them.
There's a Skeleton Inside You! by Idan Ben-Barak, illustated by Julian Frost
This was a fun book showing kids the different layers and parts inside their bodies - skeleton, nerves, muscles, etc. The aliens in the book don't quite get it and teach themselves while teaching the kids.
The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin Elementary by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Melanie Demmer
Sam has enjoyed this one WAY more than I expected when I bought it for my The Office loving self. Michael Scott is going to be a line leader to the party, can the PPP throw one together in 5 minutes? It took all the regulars on the show and made them 5ish in ways that Sam thinks they are funny and I get many of the hidden references. We've read this one many many times.
Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
We love this "Over and Under" series by Kate Messner. She shows what is happening above something (such as in the treetops, in this case) and then shows what is also happening underneath (such as on the ground). I realize that may have been obvious by the title but these are really well done.
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
This Fireboat was retired from New York City service in 1995. Then that fateful day in 2001, the fire department realized it could be helpful again. Did you know fireboats were used on 9/11??? I did not.
Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
This book stuck around our house for a very long time because my boys, especially Sam, LOVED it. Rabbit has a lot of carrots. Some would say too many carrots. And when the carrots are threatening to (or actually are) taking over his burrow he needs to find a new place to live.
The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines, illustrated by Julianna Swaney
This is a BEAUTIFULLY done picture book making sure kids know the world needs them just as they are. I love reading these self-esteem type books to my boys and they always help me out a little bit too!
Elevator Bird by Sarah Williamson
This is the story of a bird who works in an elevator but longs for a view of his own. The concept of someone working an elevator is rather quaint to me and I love animals working together to help each other out.
If you have any great picture books to recommend I'd love to hear them! We are always looking for more!
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