We’ve reached the middle of the summer slump when kids begin complaining of boredom, and parents are hoping for new ideas to entertain their little ones. A trip to your local library is always a great idea! Libraries are a cool place to escape the summer heat, have specialty areas for kids, and often host fun, engaging activities for kids and families.
And while you’re there, check out some of the best summer reads for kids of all ages to keep the sunny vibes going!
Not all kids like to read, so if you have a kid who is resistant to picking up a book, try to cater to their interests. Let them read comics, picture books, graphic novels, and even online books because reading is reading! Getting back into the groove of reading and routine for school post-summer is more challenging for some kids than others. Give your kids some control and let them choose what they want to read!
Visiting the library is a no-risk way for your child to check out multiple books and find what they like. Flea markets and yard sales are also great places to look for used books for little cost. Many neighborhoods now have lending libraries on street corners and near schools and houses of worship.
Walk around your streets to see if one of the adorable little libraries has popped up near you! You can take books that interest you and drop off ones your kids no longer read!
Here are our picks for great summer reads recommended for toddlers and up!
Captain Jack and the Pirates
Author: Peter Bently
Recommended Age: 3-5 years
What would summer be without pirates?! This adventurous summer read takes Captain Jack and his band of pirates on imaginary adventures on the high seas! This lovely rhyming picture book is the perfect bedtime or anytime summer book!
F is for Flag
Author: Wendy Cheeyette Lewison
Recommended Age: 3-6 years
Summer is the season for patriotic American holidays, and kids are likely to see and notice the American Flag at events, parades, and parties. F is for Flag, which is a great way to introduce the American Flag to toddlers and preschoolers in a way that is meaningful to them. F is for Flag is an excellent read for the Labor Day holiday!
Ice Cream Summer
Author: Peter Sis
Recommended Age: 3-6
Ice cream and summer go together like, well, ice cream and summer! This colorful, almost comic book-style summer read is an excellent option for little ones learning sight words. The straightforward text makes it easy for kids to read by themselves. But even if they can’t read words yet, the illustrations are fun and have a lot to look at, provoking great conversations about what your child sees!
Blackout
Author: John Rocco
Recommended Age: 3-6 years
This book explores what kids in the city do in a hot summer city when the power goes out! This comic book style book is perfect for early readers, and the pictures are colorful and engaging. Blackout is a Caldecott Honor Book and a must-have summer read!
Summer Vacation, Here I Come!
Author: D. J. Sterling
Recommended Age: 4-6 years
We love this diverse book cover, which shows all types of kids having summer fun! The diversity continues inside this summer read with adorable and colorful cartoon-style illustrations. Its catchy sing-song rhythm and rhyming are perfect for preschoolers and kindergartners learning early literacy skills. Use this book to discuss with your kids what they enjoyed about their summer vacation!
My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis (A Nature Diary)
Author: Paul Meisel
Recommended: Age 4-8 years
This fun little story is a scientifically accurate nature diary offering a bug-eye view of what happens during summer. Colorful illustrations and an easy-to-read format make this an excellent option for kids learning to read in early elementary! My Awesome Summer is the perfect segueway book into fall to discuss changes in the water, seasons, and animal behavior.
Cannonball
Author Sacha Cotter
Recommended Age: 4-8 years
This summer read follows one boy’s quest to execute the perfect cannonball. It is a story about finding inner strength and believing in yourself! In addition to this book’s great message, we love the cultural introduction to Maori for kids, including a glossary of the Maori words used in the story!
The Beachcomber’s Companion
Author: Anna Marlis Burgard
Recommended Age: Tweens & Teens
This 128-page seashell guide isn’t your typical summer read, but if you have kids who love looking for and learning about seashells, this might be a good one to have handy! Older kids and teens may enjoy reading about the different shells, whereas younger kids might like looking at the pictures!
Want more literary fun? Check out our letter-based KneeBouncer games!
Updated June 27, 2024, by L. Elizabeth Forry
