30 Best Summer Picture Books
Building sandcastles, camping, swimming, watermelon – it must be Summer! This fun list of summer picture books includes lots of fun titles to enjoy with your preschool or kindergarten age children.
There are so many wonderful themes to enjoy in Summer and the summer picture books on our list are perfect for inspiring your choice of summer activities. Or, alternatively, slow down to enjoy a title or two with your children while sharing a cooler moment in the shade… or the air conditioning!
30 Best Summer Picture Books for Summer Vacation
As with all of the lists in our Best Books for Kids collection, each title in this list of Summer picture books links to an Amazon page (these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you) where you can find more information and reviews for titles you might not be personally familiar with.
Uh-Oh! by Shutta Crum
A beautiful summer board book for the littlest readers – What does a toddler say when she drops her sunglasses in the sand? “Uh-Oh!” What does she say when a seagull lands on her sandcastle? “Uh-Oh!” But what is the biggest Uh-Oh of all??
Swim, Little Wombat, Swim by Charles Fuge
One day, out in the forest, Little Wombat encounters Platypus and is instantly drawn to the curious critter’s squeaky voice, unusual face, and waddling way of walking. It turns out that Platypus is also an excellent swimmer and teacher but can Wombat actually learn to swim?
The Mosquito Burrito by Didi Dragon
When a mosquito finds himself stuck in a burrito, hilarious chaos ensues. Silly rhymes and a clever punchline make this a fabulous read aloud book and one of the BEST summer picture books for kids! We also love the sprinkling of Spanish words incorporated into the tale.
The Deep by Tim Winton
Alice is not afraid of many things but she is afraid of swimming in the deep ocean water with her family. Will she find a way to overcome her fear?
RELATED: For more like this, be sure to check out our list of picture books about facing fears.
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
One hot dog has had enough of summer in the city! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, wailing sirens, people’s feet right in his face! When he plops down in the middle of a crosswalk, his owner endeavors to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. A to the beach – here, a pup can run! A wonderful reminder of the importance of finding calm and enjoying small joys.
The Sandcastle That Lola Built by Megan Maynor
A sweet, summery spin on the classic The House That Jack Built rhyme this is a fun children’s book about the beach in which Lola spends the day at the beach building a giant sandcastle, and makes a host of new friends in the process.
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
One very funny crocodile has a big fear- swallowing a watermelon seed. What will he do when his greatest fear is realised? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink?
Duck and Goose Go To The Beach by Tad Hills
Duck wants to go on an adventure. But Goose isn’t so sure. Together, the two best friends set off on a walk that takes them through the meadow, past a shady thicket, and over a distant hill, all the way to a place they’ve never been before—the beach! Turns out, Goose loves the ocean. But guess who doesn’t?
Harry By the Sea by Gene Zion
Harry and the family have gone to the beach but it’s too sunny and he’s one hot dog! There’s nowhere else for him to get some shade than under a pile of seaweed! The only problem is that now everyone thinks he’s a sea monster and he can’t find his family.
Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen
This is the delightful story of five animal friends who one warm, sunny day decide to go for a row on the bay. Do you know who sank the boat?
The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali
What starts out as a day at the beach turns into a globe-spanning treasure hunt with high-flying hijinks, exotic detours, an outrageous cast of characters, and one very mischievous bird!
Barnacle is Bored by Jonathan Fenske
Barnacle is stuck on the underside of a pier, wishing he had something to do. Every day is exactly the same. The tide comes in and Barnacle gets wet. The tide goes out and Barnacle dries off. Boring! Barnacle wants something EXCITING to happen. Then one day Barnacle learns that exciting is not always better!
Magic Beach by Alison Lester
Visit a perfect beach where you can swim, surf, splash through the waves, build sandcastles, beachcomb, explore rock-pools, muck about in boats, fish from the jetty, and build a bonfire under the stars. Visit Magic Beach, where adventure begins!
RELATED: For more like this, be sure to check out our list of Ocean Books for Kids.
Flotsam by David Wiesner
A young beachcomber finds a camera washed up on the beach and the photos it contains are astonishing, as is the story contained in this fabulous wordless book.
Noni the Pony Goes to the Beach by Alison Lester
Noni the Pony is friendly and funny. She loves going down to the beach when it’s sunny. With her two very best friends Dave Dog and Coco the Cat, and the cows from next door, it’s going to be a wonderful day.
Scaredy Squirrel At the Beach by Melanie Watts
Even though the sun is shining and it’s time for a vacation, Scaredy Squirrel does not want to go to the beach – that vast, frightening place where a squirrel could get stranded (Not to mention the other hazards such as sea monsters, falling coconuts, pirates and lobsters). How will Scaredy enjoy a beach vacation without a visit to the beach?
Seashells by the Seashore by Marianne Berkes
This sweet counting book, shared in rhyming prose, introduces children to the unique features of twelve different types of seashells, and the fact that shells are homes to sea creatures.
Mabel: A Mermaid Fable by Rowboat Watkins
A gorgeous, funny tale for young readers about Mabel – mermaid who isn’t like the other mermaids, and Lucky – an octopus who isn’t like the other octopuses and their discovery that true friendship isn’t at all about how you look.
The Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson
The singing mermaid is tricked by the greedy circus owner into joining the circus and soon dreams of returning to the sea. How will she escape and how will she make it back to her beloved silver sands?
How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace
A clever mermaid tries to avoid being captured by two clever kids and their dog. The elusive mermaid keeps escaping their carefully laid traps set to lure her in, but when the friends find themselves in danger, the mermaid herself shows up to save the day.
Beach Day by Karen Roosa
A cheerful family tumbles out of the car and onto the beach, ready for a perfect day. Buoyant verse and bright, playful illustrations capture the feeling of a hazy, lazy day by the ocean, complete with a ball game with new friends, water-skiers and sailboats, and a picnic lunch of fried chicken.
The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann
A wonderful tale about the anticipation, excitement and challenges of a first camping trip – a much loved Summer activity for families. Ernestine is beyond excited to go camping. She follows the packing list carefully so she knows she is ready. 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 — eek!
A Camping Spree With Mr Magee by Chris Van Dusen
Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation?!
Maisy Goes Camping by Lucy Cousins
When Maisy sets off to go camping in the country it’s only natural that her friends come along, too. But they soon find that pitching a tent is not an easy thing to do. And even if they do manage to keep the tent up, there’s the matter of fitting them all in!
My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis by Paul Meisel
This awesome summer diary of a praying mantis is a fabulous, engaging way for children to learn about this interesting insect – how they hatch, eat, grow and survive.
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
A joyful celebration of all the wonderful fun of Summer – from flip-flops to fireworks, lemonade stands to later bedtimes, told as a lovely, lyrical piece and sweet illustrations that evoke the feelings of the long, lazy days.
Summer Song by Kevin Henkes
Capturing the magic of summer through lyrical text and colorful illustrations, Summer Song is an ode to the sounds and colors of Summer – from the green of lily-pads and the frogs upon them to the buzz of air conditioners and lawn mowers, and so much more.
Froggy’s Lemonade Stand by Jonathan London
In this funny tale, Froggy decides to set up a lemonade stand on a very hot day. He has to be reminded to make the lemonade (he forgot that part), to set up a stand and make a sign – which he also had forgotten. And while he sits waiting for customers he drinks all of the lemonade himself! Luckily, Froggy has good friends who help him to find a solution.
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
What do you do when Grandma gives you a lemon tree for your birthday instead of the electronics you wish for? You act excited. You say something polite. And then… A funny story with a relatable protagonist who finds an ingenious solution.
The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Anne Renoud
What would Summer be without popsicles??! Frank William Epperson is a curious boy who wants to be an inventor when he grows up and what Frank loves most is experimenting with liquids. When he invents his own yummy flavored soda water drink, his friends love it! This gets him thinking: “I wonder what this drink would taste like frozen?”
Looking for more screen free summer fun for your family?
- The kids won’t even realize they are learning with this collection of 101 super fun Summer Learning Activities!
- Have a blast together as a family with this collection of 15 of the best family card games.
- Introduce your kids to old school fun with this list of 12 retro summer activities kids can do at home.
More fun Summer play resources;
For more fun ideas to do this Summer, check out these related posts;
