Our picture book reading certainly increases in the summer. Ideally, I'll read to the boys every morning after breakfast, everyone is changed, and we all do a chore (mine is usually cleaning up from breakfast). That hasn't happened a single morning, YET. I still have hope that it will become routine soon. However, we do read together nearly every single day in the summer and it's so much easier to fit into our schedules without the school runs, homework, and school night bedtimes. The problems are hauling all the books home from the library (we checkout SO. MANY. BOOKS.) and constantly finding ones to read!
I've done a bunch of previous picture book posts for summer: 100 from summer 2017, 100 from summer 2019, 30 to kick off summer 2021, 36 summery books, and 30 to wrap-up summer 2021. There's almost 300 to get you started!
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You Matter by Christian Robinson
A lovely little story about how we are all different in this world but how we all also matter. Charming illustrations and great message.
Bob Ross and Peapod the Squirrel by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Jason Kayser
What 80s kid didn't spend at least one sick day watching Bob Ross paint? In this Bob Ross is helping his friend, Peapod the Squirrel, find a home. With actual paintings by Bob Ross featured.
Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin
This shows the size of a kid and how they compare to Redwoods, space, ostriches, and more. It's a fun way to show kids how small we are, especially compared to things they've never seen in person (my kids has seen an ostrich but never a Redwood and none of us can really comprehend the vastness of space!)
Curiosity: the Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum
Before my kids were born (in August 2012), the rover Curiosity touched down on Mars. This is showing her journey, first hand. We love space books!
For Spacious Skies: Katharine Lee Bates and the Inspiration for "America the Beautiful" by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Olga Baumert
I try to mostly stay away from biographies for these lists but one about the woman who wrote "America the Beautiful" is just too perfect for summer to pass-up (I think I think of this as a summer song because we used to sing it at lake Mass every Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend).
If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
A guide to Earth for visitors and for those of us who already live here!
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies
A boy and his father live near the sea. The Boy finds a whale washed up on shore and wants to help it but you can only hide a whale for so long (my boys would probably like to try this).
Mapping Sam by Joyce Hesselberth
We probably got this because my Sam recognized his name on the cover. It's a fun way to learn about different kinds of maps, through the nighttime adventures of a cat.
Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin
We've been a fan of Stephanie Graegin's illustrations ever since I first read Luke the Heartwood Hotel series. Charming story of a girl who brings her stuffed fox (and I have a kid with a beloved stuffed fox) to the woods and the fox takes off!
If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams
LOVE these "If _______ disappeared" books, showing how important different animals are to our ecosystem. And sharks are perfect for summer.
Little Blue House Beside the Sea by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Carme Lemniscates
Beautiful story of a child living next to the ocean, in a little blue house, looking out and thinking about all the other kids who might be in other little houses next to the ocean wondering about the other kids.
Miss Colfax's Light by Aimee Bissonette, illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen
In 1861 a woman, Harriet Colfax, took over as lighthouse keeper for the Michigan City lighthouse on Lake Michigan. There were very few female lighthouse keepers in the US at the time. And she kept the job for 43 years through storms, harsh winters, and bad conditions.
Where Happiness Lives by Barry Timms, illustrated by Greg Abbott
This is the sweetest story about some mice who live in a very modest house and dream about how much happier the mice who live in the big mansion must be. These poor mice go on an adventure where the learn that those rich mice are looking right back at them and thinking the same thing.
Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton
Little Owl has fallen from his tree and can't find his mother. With the help of a new friend, they seek her out and while they find many animals with some qualities that match his mother, none can be her except her.
Flamingo Sunset by Jonathan London, illustrated by Kristina Rodanas
I'm pretty sure one of my kids picked this off the end cap at the library, knowing that I like flamingos. It's just a brief introduction to their life cycle and how they grow but it's flamingos so feels summery.
One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies. illustrated by Jane Chapman
I actually just put this on library hold today! This is all about loggerhead turtles, how they swim thousands of miles and then return to the same beach to lay their own eggs.
Things to Do by Elaine Magliaro, illustrated by Catia Chien
Explores all the things kids can do in day if they are outside. Clouds in the sky, spiders in the bushes, flowers in the ground. A whole amazing world to learn about.
Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer
Shows kids many different ways they can be strong, from the playground to recess to bike rides. It shows how kindness can build friendship and community.
Ferry Boat by Michael Garland
The story of riding a ferry boat in Manhattan, seeing the skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the bridges. We did this boat ride with Luke so we had some familiarity with it but would still be fun without that!
A New Day by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Dan Santat
Sunday quit. She was tired of being a day. So the other days had to advertise for a new day, one that can be relaxing and tranquil. Things quickly get out of hand.
The Perfect Birthday Recipe by Katy Hudson
Beaver has a summer birthday which he thinks can be lonely (I disagree) until his friends offer to bake his birthday cake. Beaver, being a perfectionist, would really prefer to do it himself so how does he make himself and his friends happy?
When the Storm Comes by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
What do people and animals do when there is a storm coming? People stock up on supplies and check the news. Animals look for a cozy den and hunker down to wait. Really not too different.
A Friend Like You by Andrea Schomburg and Barbara Rottgen, illustrated by Sean Julian
Squirrel and Bird are very different but they are both happy to try something new! A story of an unlikely friendship.
Nature Recycles-How About You? by Michele Lord, illustrated by Cathy Morrison
Recycling is one of my favorite topics and I loved learning with my boys about how animals recycle too! Different ways they reuse materials is just fascinating!
Grandad's Island by Benji Davies
Syd's Granddad lives at the bottom of Syd's garden but one day when Syd goes to visit, Granddad isn't where he normal is. When Syd finally finds him, they set off on a magical journey.
The Boy Whose Face Froze Like That by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Russ Cox
Who else heard their parents say this at least once in their lives? **Raises hand** BUT WHAT IF, it actually happened? Wendell is the first kid whose parents aren't lying when they give him that warning.
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
This is one of my very favorite picture books that we've read. Everyone things Mel is just falling out of her nest while the ants and spiders and squirrels are trying to save her. Turns out Mel wasn't falling, she was flying for the first time.
One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong by Don Brown
The story of the first human to walk on the moon, always fascinating to see how ordinary kids can grow up to do extraordinary things. And we just drove past his hometown yesterday!
Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Loren Long
It's all good if someone is planning the dream but then we need the people who actually put dreams into reality. The builders of bridges and builders and more. Wonderful celebration of those workers.
The Ocean in your Bathtub by Seth Fishman, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg
The ocean connects us all, from weather, to water from the sink, to how our food grows! Sam has recently gotten fascinated about how water is cleaned and reused constantly, this would be a good one to reread with him!
Happy Reading!
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