People can and do go to the beach in many different seasons, however, summer seems perfect for the beach. We got questioned many times before our trip to Cocoa Beach last summer, why the heck we'd be going to Central Florida in July. However, I only want to get in the water if it's hot and Central Florida is hot in July. Also, we were pretty much in the water or the AC at all times, besides when we were walking between the two. And AND...it was hotter here in Indiana some of the days we were gone...without having an ocean close to cool off in. All that to say...if you are nowhere near an ocean, here are a whole lot of picture books to get you in the beachy state of mind.
Some more picture book lists: 100 from summer 2017, 100 from summer 2019, 30 to kick off summer 2021, 36 summery books, 30 to wrap-up summer 2021, 30 to kick off summer 2022, {31} Picture Books that Feature Summer, {31} Picture Books to Close Out Summer, and Camping Picture Books!
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Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
This is one of our very favorite summer picture books, one that my younger son gets excited to see again every year. Swashby lives by the sea with very few people around and he likes it that way. Then a young girl moves next door with her grandmother (I think) and inserts herself into Swashby's life. Swashby tries to leave messages, spelled out in shells, to leave him alone, but the ocean has a way of modifying them to make the girl sing or dance or generally just be a kid. Swashby does not like this intrusion into his life until something happens and he realizes what this little girl means to him. It is very sweet. And at the beach a few years ago a gentleman said he'd take our picture when we were doing a selfie. When he walked away Sam whispered to me "He looks like Swashby!" hahaha. I think of that every time we read this.
A Day at the Beach by Mircea Vasiliu
I don't know if this is a vintage book but it certainly feels like one, where a family of 5 spends their day at the beach together, building sand castles, exploring tide pools, and swimming.
A Shell is Cozy by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
It's hard to go to the beach and not pick up at least a few shells. This is a gorgeous look at all kinds of shells, from big to small, of every color. And might help identify some of those that you pick up!
Summer's Call: A Michigan Day by Amber Lynn Hellewell, illustrated by Gretchen Ellen Powers
Written by Michiganers about the special magic of a Michigan summer (I don't remember if the book mentions how dang chilly Lake Michigan is for most of the summer...) but if you live in the Midwest especially, a fun reminder that not all beach trips have to be warm beach trips...
The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation by Jan & Mike Berenstain
We found this one shortly before our trip to Gulf Shores, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, and read it many times on that trip, feeling like the Bears where the same place we were (on a barrier island). It's now a summer staple and my youngest continues to be like Honey Bear with a bucket of water on his head every time we're at the beach, specifically mentioning that he's copying Honey. And telling us about how he HAS copied Honey every time we read this. Also, in the minority of Berenstain Bear books that rhyme.
Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
I just featured another Mr. Magee book in the camping list earlier this month! Now Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee are headed to the shore for the day when an over excited whale gets their boat stuck in a tree. Yes, this is totally and absolutely completely possible.
Down Under the Pier by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Rachell Sumpter
I love this one about the magic of exploring nature and the beach under the pier (safely) while there is a lot of man made amusement above the pier. Rides and food and all that but UNDER the pier there are barnacles and shells and creatures to discover. Truly magical.
Izzy and Frank by Katrina Lehman, illustrated by Sophie Beer
This is one of my favorite beach set picture books. Izzy loves living on her island in a lighthouse. Her best friend is a seagull named Frank. But then Izzy has to move off her island and she does not like it. She misses the sea and she misses Frank. But then a surprising friend helps her learn to like her new home.
Look Out for Pirates! by Iris Vinton, illustrated by H.B. Vestal
Luke's godfather gave him this book when Luke was very little, it's a classic that we had never read until then. There's gold and pirates trying to get the hold from the sailors. It takes some quick thinking to keep the treasure safe.
The Truth About my Unbelievable Summer by Benjamin Chaud
Like the classic back to school assignment "what did you do over summer vacation?", a kid tells a wonderful tale that starts as a normal beach trip before it turns into a global treasure hunt. Did it really happen????
The Berenstain Bears Pirate Adventure by Mike Berentain
The Bear family is back on vacation and this time all 3 cubs discover an old ship that had been buried under the dunes but the wind has revealed it. The cubs play on it that they are pirates and eventually end up walking the plank. The power of imagination!
Ocean: Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield
We love Stacy McAnulty's Our World series, mostly about planets, our moon, etc. but this one is about the ocean, a bit about it's part in history over time, how it connects us all, etc. Not all beach trips are to an ocean but nice to know that they do connect us all!
Beach by Elisha Cooper
This author does lovely work highlighting the simple joys of something like a day at the beach. Not super wordy but so many details in the picture that really brings the essence of a day at the beach.
Here Comes Ocean by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Paola Zakimi
A rhyming picture book with repetition that makes it easy to read. There is always endless fun to be had at the beach, chasing the waves, looking for treasure, and playing in the sand.
Ready, Set, Sail! by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Luke Flowers
A simple picture book about two sailors, a tiger and a turtle, getting ready to explore the sea. After a full day of sailing, they have a lot of stories to share!
A Day at the Seashore by Kathryn Jackson, Byron Jackson & Corinne Malvern
A classic Little Golden Book about Nancy and Timmy on their day at the beach. It's very simple with classic illustrations.
Beach House by Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Amy June Bates
A year of dreaming and waiting but now summer is here again, celebrated in a book that captures the essence of a summer trip to the beach with your family.
To the Beach by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
A family of 7 is heading to the beach but they keep having to go back because they keep remembering something else they have forgotten. Is it even worth all that work to get to the beach??
Sea Glass Summer by Michelle Houts, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
My sister told me about this book while we were at the beach and then on that trip we actually found a piece of sea glass! And we also bought Luke a bag as a souvenir... But this book tells how sea glass came to be and how it's so rare (because we learned to stop throwing glass into the ocean) but fun to share it's history with the kids.
The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Kate Berube
A beachy spin on The House That Jack Built story. Lola is building her sand castle on a crowded beach and recruits many people to help her get it done. But then there is a wave!
Grains of Sand by Sibylle Delacroix, illustrated by Karen Li
A little girl is sad to be leaving the beach on the last day of their family vacation. Her shoes are filled with sand and she doesn't know what to do with it all! Together, her and her brother decide they should plant the grains of sand to see what might grow. Imagination!
Day at the Beach by Tom Booth
Gideon and Audrey build sand castles together at the beach every summer but this summer Gideon has decided that he's going to build the biggest sand castle ever with no help from his sister. But then, he is surprised to learn that it's more fun to do things together.
Alba and the Ocean Cleanup by Lara Hawthorne
Alba is a fish who collects treasures on the ocean floor. Over the years she's noticed that there is more and more trash until finally it seems like there is plastic everywhere. Is it too late to clean up her beloved ocean?
How Will We Get to the Beach? by Brigette Luciani, translated by Rosemary Lanning, illustrated by Eve Tharlet
A translated pictures book about a resourceful Mom who is trying to get to the beach but every mode of transportation available to her leaves her with one of her items she's can't take along! Kids can play along, trying to guess what doesn't work with each option.
The Boy and the Sea by Camille Andros, illustrated by Amy June Bates
A boy returns to the same seashore besides his home throughout his life where he can think, dream, and just be. In different stages of his life he does more of different things but the beach plays a part in it all.
The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Wendell Minor
A mother and son imagine together what it would be like to spend a day at the seashore. Hunting for shells, building sand castles, and spending time together.
A Day for Sandcastles by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Qin Leng
Wordless but one I can tolerate. A busload of beach goers arrive at the beach for a day of fun. Three siblings work together to build a sand castle but their progress keeps getting halted!
O is for Ocean by Greg Paprocki
We have read so many of Greg Paprocki's ABC series and love the pictures. This one is, obviously, all about the ocean, activities on or near it, creatures that live in it, etc. I will continue to read this to my kids even though we are pretty much past board book stage.
Turkey's Sandtastic Beach Day by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper
When I asked my 6 year old recently what his favorite picture books were, the ones he came up with were "the Turkey books". So while I try to read many of these when we're actually at the beach or about to go to the beach, this one I did pull early since it's a favorite. Turkey is up to his classic behavior of trying to make up disguises to sneak somewhere, in this case into the ocean, but the lifeguards keep catching him. Also filled with puns I'm not sure my kids catch.
Hope you find something to remind you of the beach, to help you prep for a beach trip, or to take along!
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