Summer Books for Kids

Summer is one of my favorite seasons! I love teaching my girls about the season through beautifully illustrated picture books. I’ve made a list of some of our favorite summer books for kids to share with you.

There are ones about camping, gardening, national parks, vacations, bees, adventure, and friendship. I hope you find a summer book or two that your kids will love.

If you scroll down past the collage, you will be able to read a description of each book and be able to click on the title of the book which will take you right to the link on Amazon to purchase. However, we always recommend checking with your local bookstore or public library as well.

Book Description: Brimming with facts, activities, and beautiful illustrations, the National Parks of the USA series of books immerses young people in the wonders of America’s outdoors. Learn about the wonderful wildlife, stunning scenery, and rare plants that inhabit these precious outdoor spaces. Celebrate these beautiful and rare locations, and be awed by the diversity and grandeur of the national parks’ living landscapes.

Book Description: You and your children will learn all about the Gaines family’s story of becoming gardeners in Joanna’s first children’s book–starting with the first little fern Chip bought for Jo. Over the years, the family’s love for gardening has blossomed into what is now a beautiful, bustling garden. This book has the most beautiful illustrations and story. It is one of our favs.

Book Description: Order as a board book or as a hardcover book. Who is only under 5 inches tall and has just moved to the woods? The cutest and littlest bear family you have ever seen–and their adopted teeny tiny fox tot! What happens when they venture out to explore their new world…?

Book Description: Ernestine is beyond excited to go camping. She follows the packing list carefully (new sleeping bag! new flashlight! special trail 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-illustrator 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 s’mores).

Book Description: The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.

Book Description: Bear receives a bright yellow kite for his birthday and flies it until . . . it gets stuck in a tree and rips. Oh, Bear. Lucky for Bear, Bird is busy building a nest and flies his broken kite home, where an even better surprise awaits him. A story about nature, renewal, and friendship—the best gift of all. This is probably one of our favorite books ever.

Book Description: The little blue cottage waits each year for summer to arrive―and with it, the girl. Through sunny days and stormy weather, the cottage and the girl keep each other company and while away the long days and nights together. Until one year, and then another, the cottage is left waiting and empty season after season. In this heartfelt story about change, Kelly Jordan’s lilting text and Jessica Courtney-Tickle’s lush art captures the essence of cherishing a favorite place.

Book Description: Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt there is a busy world of earthworms digging, snakes hunting, skunks burrowing, and all the other animals that make a garden their home. In this exuberant and lyrical book, discover the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves…and down in the dirt.

I hope you enjoyed this summer books for kids round-up. Let me know if there is any books we should add! Might have to do around two. Feel free to pin this post to save it for later.