Summer Reading List: 20 Beautiful Books for Children
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When I was a child, our family camping trips during school breaks were the highlight of my summer. Sure, reading in the backseat often left me feeling car sick, but those moments were a small price to pay for the joy they brought. I fondly remember those lazy afternoons, sunbathing by the pool with a gentle breeze rustling the pages of my book, and my brother by my side, lost in his own adventure. These moments capture the simple pleasures of childhood and the magic that a good book can bring.
You probably have similar memories that make you smile. Let these 20 beautiful summer books for children transport you and your little ones back to those simpler times. Dive into a world of pure, sun-soaked joy and let these delightful reads make any sunny day even brighter!
1. Good Night, Good Beach
Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Hilary Jean Tapper
An evocative and beautiful bedtime picture book about summer days spent at the beach – sandy feet, waves hush-hushing and a shell under the pillow – by internationally renowned author, Joy Cowley.
Summer holidays by the sea have a rhythm all of their own. With a few well-chosen words Cowley transports us instantly to a childhood summer of long hot days, every minute spent at the beach collecting treasures and listening to the sound of waves.
This simple poem is a perfect read-aloud bedtime book to share with babies, toddlers and the whole family, all summer long.
2. Flotsam
Author/Illustrator: David Wiesner
A bright, science-minded boy goes to the beach equipped to collect and examine flotsam-anything floating that has been washed ashore. Bottles, lost toys, small objects of every description are among his usual finds. But there’s no way he could have prepared for one particular discovery: a barnacle-encrusted underwater camera, with its own secrets to share . . . and to keep.
3. Summer Evening
Author: Walter de la Mare
Illustrator: Carolina Rabei
The sandy cat by the Farmer’s chair
Mews at his knee for dainty fare;
Old Rover in his moss-greened house
Mumbles a bone, and barks at a mouse.
Carolina Rabei’s stunning illustrations beautifully illuminate Walter de la Mare’s glorious celebration of a balmy summer’s evening. One of four exceptional Walter de la Mare picture books that form a seasonal set, each with complementing colour palates and illustrations by rising young star Carolina Rabei.
4. A Day for Sandcastles
Author: Jonarno Lawson
Illustrator: Qin Leng
A dazzling wordless picture book celebrates creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the sun-splashed wonder of a day at the beach.
The creators of the acclaimed Over the Shop evoke a perfect summer beach day–and themes of creativity, cooperation, flexibility, and persistence–all without a word in this sun-warmed, salt-stained delight of a story. A busload of beachgoers spills out onto the sand for a day of fun and frolic. Three siblings begin work on a castle, patting and shaping the sand as the sun arcs over the sky. Time and again, their progress is halted: a windswept hat topples their creation; a toddler ambles through it; the tide creeps close, and then too close. Meeting each demolition with fresh determination, the builders outdo themselves time and again, until the moment arrives to pile back into the bus for home. An authentic portrait of sibling cooperation–and glorious inspiration for creative people of all ages–A Day for Sandcastles channels the thrill of surrendering expectations on the path to infinite possibility.
5. The Camping Trip
Author/Illustrator: Jennifer K. Mann
Ernestine has never been camping before, but she’s sure it will be lots of fun … won’t it?
My Aunt Jackie invited me to go camping with her and my cousin Samantha this weekend. I’ve never been camping before, but I know I will love it…
Ernestine is beyond excited to go camping. She follows the packing list carefully (new sleeping bag! new flashlight! special snack mix made with Dad!) so she knows she is ready when the weekend arrives. But she quickly realizes that nothing could have prepared her for how hard it is to set up a tent, never mind fall asleep in it, or that swimming in a lake means that there will be fish … eep! Will Ernestine be able to enjoy the wilderness, or will it prove to be a bit too far out of her comfort zone?
In an energetic illustrated story about a first sleepover under the stars, acclaimed author-illustrated Jennifer K. Mann reminds us that opening your mind to new experiences, no matter how challenging, can lead to great memories (and a newfound taste for marshmallows).
6. On a Summer Night
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Step into the quiet magic of this celebration of summer nighttime and the mystery of a world lit differently by the moon.
On a summer night, the world is still. Even the crickets think it’s too hot to sing. But all at once, a girl wakes. In the kitchen, the cat rolls onto its soft paws. A neighbor’s small white dog yaps, a brown rabbit peeks from a hedge, and the leaves of a cherry tree begin to stir in the breeze. Readers witness and wonder: Who has woken them all? In this soothing bedtime story, the quiet of a warm summer night is brought to vivid, magical life with the soft steps of bare feet, the padding of paws, and the bright, golden light of the moon. One by one, each creature is roused and then gently returned to sleep in a lovely and lyrical exploration of wakefulness, restfulness, and the mysterious calm of the night.
PERFECT FOR BEDTIME . . . OR ANYTIME: This beautifully illustrated children’s book is ideal for soothing young readers to sleep-or encouraging a contemplative break in an energetic day. The story’s engagement with the wonders of nighttime will help children feel comforted by the dark and the prospect of going to sleep rather than afraid of them.
READ-ALOUD READINESS: With its lyricism and short refrains, this gentle story is just right for sharing.
CONNECTION TO NATURE: This magical book gradually reveals the moon as a character as it wakes girl, cat, dog, rabbit, tree, air, and cloud in turn-and connects them to one another through the welcoming quiet and wonder of a world gilded by moonlight.
THE POWER OF SLOWING DOWN: Picture books are often wonderful excuses to slow down and share a moment of gentleness in kids’ (and parents’) busy lives; this book feels like a deep breath and offers a chance to wonder and reflect.
Perfect for:- Kids who can’t sleep on hot summer nights – Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking a sweet bedtime book – Librarians and storytime leaders looking for a summer read-aloud – Gift givers who want to share a beautiful, lyrical book with someone special – Readers of such classic bedtime stories for kids as Goodnight Moon and The Going to Bed Book
8. The Pickwicks' Picnic: A Counting Adventure
Author: Carol Brendler
Illustrator: Rene Kurilla
Community cooperation turns a traffic jam into an opportunity for fun in this inventive counting book starring a pair of clever canine siblings.
In this highly original counting tale, the Pickwicks—Pip and Peach, Mom and Daddy—leave the hot hazy city for a picnic by the shore. Along the way, they are passed by 2 scooters, 3 jeeps, and more—until they hit a sudden roadblock of 10 cruisers. Traffic stops and drivers grow grumpy, but Pip and Peach know exactly how to turn an unexpected glitch into a festive occasion for everyone! Engaging rhythm and detail-filled art reward repeated readings of Carol Brendler and Renée Kurilla’s countable account of a very special picnic.
9. The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read
Author: Curtis Manley
Illustrator: Kate Berube
12. Seashells: More Than a Home
Author: Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
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