School may be out, but learning never stops. Reading is one of the best ways to help your kids retain what they learned this year. Reading unlocks their imaginations and prevents them from becoming bored. Whether summer is about relaxing or having adventures, reading has a place in their day.
Read with your kids, to your kids, and alongside your kids this summer. We’ve selected ten books to keep them entertained and interested when the temperatures soar and it’s time to retreat indoors. Enjoy!
What am I ? Summer: A Picture Book of Reda-Along Summer Riddles by Shana Gorian – Fune for kids of all ages and a lifesaver for parents on car trips, rainy days, or hot, muggy days.
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson – when a snail meets a whale, they travel to far off places seeking adventure. When the whale swims too close to shore it becomes in danger of getting stuck in the sand. How can its tiny friend snail help? For ages 2-4
Hot Dog by Doug Salati - Dog has had enough of summer in the city with the hot pavement and the stifling air. Luckily, his owner has a plan. Kids will love Hot Dog’s reaction to his beach vacation. For Ages 2-7
The Fish and His Puffy Temper by Barbara Pinke – Puffy is a nice enough fish , but he has a terrible temper. His friend Seassy tries to be understanding, but sometimes it’s hard. The two friends go on a journey of friendship and self-discovery and meet other sea creatures who try to help Puffy learn to control his temper. Will they succeed? For ages 3-7
Summer Pony by Jean Slaughter Doty – When Ginny’s parents agree to rent a pony for the summer, Ginny thinks she’s finally getting the pony she’s always dreamed of, but when it arrives, the pony is dirty and half-starved. It’s not the beautiful creature of her dreams. Is Ginny up to the challenge of caring for this pony? For ages 5-8
The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate – In this sequel to The One and Only Ivan, Bob sets out with Ivan and Ruby to find his lost sister. When they encounter a hurricane, Bob must summon all his courage to continue. He learns valuable lessons about the importance of friendship and family. For ages 8-11
Wild Summer by James DuBern – No one seems interested in Rosie’s donkey sanctuary and the bills are piling up. Can Rosie and her mom save the animals by turning the sanctuary into a zoo? For ages 8-12
A Kid’s Guide to the 2024 Summer Olympics by Jack L. Roberts and Micael Owens – The 2024 Summer Olympics are being held in Paris, Frances from July 26 – August 11, 2024. With 32 sports and 329 events this handy guide will help you and your kids keep up with the fun and excitement of the games. For ages 9-13
Float by Kate Marchant – Waverly’s parent’s divorce has been hard. When it comes time to choose where she will spend the summer, Waverly wants to stay in Alaska, but her parents have other ideas. They ship her off to Holden, Florida to stay with her aunt. Can a girl from Alaska cope with the heat, the sand, and the water when she’s never learned to swim? For ages 12 and up
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther – Merridith has been mourning the loss of her sister Claire for the last 18 months. Her family’s annual trip to Martha’s Vineyard seems like the perfect place to start over. There’s a big wedding planned, and the family has chosen teams for their annual assassin’s tournament. When Merridith is paired with a cute groomsman can she keep her wits about her and win this one for Claire? For Teen and YA readers.