{31} Picture Books that Feature Summer

Happy almost July!  July is PEAK summer and maybe my favorite month of the year (although December is very good competition).  We have adventures planned, lazy pool days hoped for, and lots of soaking in a full month without school to think about (I may have to start thinking about supply shopping by the end).  

To that end, here are 31 picture books that feature summer or some element of summer (the beach) in some way.  I love reading seasonally with my boys (and my own books!) and while there are many books that can be read any time of year, there is something so magical about a book that can encompass a whole season so perfectly.  

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, 30 to wrap-up summer 2021, and 30 to kick off summer 2022.  There's over 300 there!

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Summer Color! by Diana Murray, illustrated by Zoe Persico
Lovely celebration of all the colors of summer and all the fun that can be had outside enjoying them!

The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Wendell Minor
A boy desperately wants a trip to the seashore and his mother paints the most vivid word descriptions of what that is like.

Pete the Cat's Family Road Trip by Kimberly Dean and James Dean
This was a big hit on our recent family road trip, especially since it featured one of our destinations (Niagara Falls).  Although the Cat family needs to work on their packing, I believe.

On the First Day of Summer Vacation by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Sarah Jennings
Yes, this may have been more applicable nearly a month ago but we didn't read it on our first day of summer and I think there is plenty to celebrate about summer adventures at any time!

Shadow Chasers by Elly MacKay
I have fond childhood memories of many accumulated hours spent outside in those magical hours when the shadows are very long.  Just like chasing each other's shadows while playing shadow tag, this is about chasing those dreams that might be hard to catch. 

Summer Song by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
I really like Kevin Henkes' seasonal series and this, like the ones for the other 3 seasons, paints such a beautiful and accurate picture of the magic of summer.

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Is there a more summery fruit than watermelon (I mean, there are certainly BETTER fruits than watermelon) but this crocodile has the classic childhood fears of wondering what happens if you swallow a seed.

Me and You and the Red Canoe by Jean E. Pendziwol, illustrated by Phil
I have NO interest in an all day fishing trip (or even all day fishing) but this describes two siblings doing that, from their red canoe, so perfectly, you'll feel like you were there too.

Pool Party by Amy Duchene and Elisa Parhad, illustrated by Anne Bentley
Pool parties were a magical thing in my youth, there was no better invitation to get.  This captures those feelings without having to actually get wet.

A Stick is an Excellent Things: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
I can say firmly that my children would agree with this, although they never seem to think of it when they are complaining of being bored.  But their collection of sticks ("But it's such a good stick!") should remind them.

It Began with Lemonade by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Lian Cho
Is there a more summery drink than lemonade? (Well, I prefer sweet tea but nobody in my family does.).  An adventure follows a girl when she realized everyone on her block has the same idea as her to have a lemonade stand.

Bubbles....Up! by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez
A celebration of water and it's refreshing nature in the summer.  I can still remember the absolute relief of jumping into a pool in very hot Charleston South Carolina almost 20 years ago.  There is nothing that quite matches that feeling.

You're My Little Firecracker by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Natalie Marshall
Celebrates so many very summer things, I find this book super adorable for summer even though I have one kid who definitely thinks he's outgrown board books and one who maybe has.

Ready, Set, Sail! by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Luke Flowers
A fun little sailing adventure between two friends.  Afterwards they tell tales of what they saw!

Summer Camp Critter Jitters by Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo
My summer camp experience is limited to a total of 4 nights (over 2 summers) at 4-H camp but I can still relate to the nerves of being away from home and with strangers!  All of the animals have different fears of what they are going to face but realize there was nothing to worry about!

Into the Outdoors by Susan Gal
A family travels up a mountain, over a bridge, and under trees to get to their campsite (I personally prefer campsites I can drive right up to...). 

Monster and Mouse Go Camping by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jared Chapman
So, turns out, monsters are great camping companions.  They might eat the tent, sleeping bags, etc.  While a mouse might forget to pack food.  This was a charming one, I'm glad I don't camp with their of them.

Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and Her Star-Spangled Creation by Kristen Fulton, illustrated by Holly Berry
I don't do many biographies on these lists but one about the American flag is just perfect for Flag Day (June 14th!) or 4th of July (date obvious). 

Living Lights: Fireflies in Your Backyard by Nancy Loewen
The most summery bug, at least of ones that people don't despise with every fiber of their being (you all know the insect to which I refer).  We loved catching LIGHTNING BUGS as kids.  (The name is wrong but the book is good.)

Night in the Country by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Mary Szilagyi
I grew up spending most of my nights in the country and this book just captures all those noises so well.  Living more in the city took me a long time to get used to!

Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Eastman
An easy reader about two dogs, with very different preparation techniques, go camping together.  We've been experimenting with being campers again and it's fun to work some of those books into rotation!

And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner, illustrated by Jaime Kim
When the days start getting longer and school lets out...then comes summer.  An ode to the summer staples of things like flip-flops, fireworks, and ice cream trucks (even though we never buy from them). 

We Love Fishing! by Ariel Bernstein, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal
A bit in the style of Elephant & Piggie, 4 friends are going fishing together and they all love fishing!  Except for Squirrel...who doesn't (my thoughts line up with Squirrel). 

The Sandcastle That Lola Built by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Kate Berube
When kids accidentally knock down part of Lola's castle she gets them to help instead!  A take on The House That Jack Built except this time it's a sand castle! 

Here Comes the Ocean by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Paola Zakimi
A simple story about the wonders of time spent at the ocean, sand dollars, chasing waves, and sneaky animals.

Camp Tiger by Susan Choi, illustrated by John Rocco
I was reading this one in the car on our recent road trip and Matt was very confused.  I'll admit, it doesn't make complete sense.  A family is going on a end of the summer camping trip when a real tiger wanders into their camp and then the youngest son befriends it over the course of their trip.  We just go with it, which would not be my response if this happened in real life.

To the Beach! by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
This is a delightful one about a family trying to go to the beach when they keep realizing something they forgot and have to go back.  Until they are FINALLY all ready to go...and it's raining. 

Cannonball by Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan
It's been a VERY long time since I did a cannonball but I have one kid who loves to do them and reading this feels like a much dryer version of doing one. 

The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann
Ernestine is so excited to go camping with her aunt and cousin, try out all her new gear, have a new adventure...and then camping turns out to be A LOT of work and Ernestine isn't sure she's quite ready for that much adventure.

The Truth About my Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud
A kid gets the classic back to school assignment of "What did you do over summer break?" but this kid starts telling a fantastical story spanning the globe, treasure hunting, and so many characters.

Beach by Elisha Cooper
Elisha Cooper writes such gorgeous and beautifully told books about a variety of subjects and there isn't any more summer appropriate than one about the beach.