The Best Picture Books About Summer
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Summer is here in the Northern hemisphere and we needed some good books to celebrate. I scoured Amazon and went to not one, but two, local libraries to see what I could find! As always, I look for books that:
Are a pleasure to read aloud
Have quality illustrations
Expose my grandchildren to new cultures, places or ideas
Pass the grandchild test
The following books hit all those marks and provided us with several days of engaging FaceTime story time. Even better, several of them included a grandparent in a leading role. Read on for the reviews from me and the grands!
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read
by Curtis Manley illustrated by Kate Berube
This adorable story had something for everyone: adventures with pirates for the six-year-old, allusions to great literature for the adults in the room, early reading words for the five-year-old to call out, and cats for the kitty-obsessed three-year-old. You and your grandchildren will be equally delighted as Nick teaches Verne and Stevenson to read.
The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer
by Davide Cali and illustrated by Benjamin Chaud
This fanciful tale was Pop’s favorite of the bunch. It took us three readings before we figured out the full backstory, but we enjoyed it every time. Though this story couldn’t be more different from Abigail is a Whale, Davide Cali is becoming one of my favorite writers. It got two thumbs up from all the grands.
When Lola Visits
by Michelle Sterling, art by Aaron Asis
A lyrical, dreamy book about Lola’s annual summer visit from the Philippines. Rich with Filipino culture and full of softly painted pictures that just feel like carefree summer days. The grandmother-granddaughter bond is an integral part of the story, and we all enjoyed learning about the foods and customs of the family.
A Perfect Day
by Lane Smith
This very simple story has a powerful message: A perfect day for one person may not be a perfect day for someone else. The grandkids had gotten it from the library in the past, and were excited to tell me what happened. We were able to talk about how the same sentence can mean two different things depending on how you say it. It may be short, but it stands up to repeated readings.
Cannonball
by Sacha Cotter, pictures by Josh Morgan
With vivid, detailed illustrations and words that feel like poetry, this is a great read-aloud. It’s also a story with diverse characters and a clear message about listening to your inner voice. But that’s not all! It’s got interesting details about diving, a search-and-find element, and end pages worth pouring over for extra entertainment. Highly recommended by all of us!
Goldfish on Vacation
by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Leo Espinosa
My personal favorite of all the books we read! The story is so enchanting, and the illustrations are bright and charming. Grandpa is a main character, and he’s portrayed without ageism or exaggeration. The idea of a neighborhood goldfish pond is delightful, and the way it transformed summer for the neighborhood made me happy. Don’t skip the afterword, where you’ll discover the inspiration for this summer book.
Sea Glass Summer
by Michelle Houts, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
I’ll admit it: I didn’t love this when I read it to myself. But reading it to my grandchildren brought it to life, and they loved it. It’s another story featuring grandparents, with a strong message about the connections between generations. It’s beautifully written and illustrated, and I’m betting your grandchildren will like it as much as mine did.
I See Summer
by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
This bright and cheerful paperback highlights the best parts about summer with short, rhyming sentences. The simplest of all the books we tried, I See Summer was a favorite of the three-year-old. Her older siblings loved guessing the rhyming words, though, so it kept the whole family entertained. Perfect if you have a younger grandchild, and small and lightweight enough to stash in your summer bag.
Have you read any of these with your grandchildren? Which is your favorite?