10 Great Picture Books for Summer Reading

When I think of picture books for toddlers and preschoolers that evoke summer, I think of the beach and the zoo because we always make a point to make at least one trip to each of these and more, if possible.

But the power of books is the ability to transport readers to new experiences that they would not necessarily have including going back in time. These are some of my very favorite books.  I hope you enjoy them and that they transport you and your child to new places.

p.s. Related posts:

Read Aloud Books for Kids and Other Ideas For Summer Fun

Summer Reading Programs & Free Books for Kids

20 Great Books for Kids Set During the Summer

26 Wonderful Books for Kids Celebrating Summer (ages 2-12)

Funny Picture Books About Summer Camp

Best Summer Math Supplementation Work Books and More

Best Math Workbooks for Home or Summer Supplementation

Top 10: Best Summer Coming-of-Age Books with Girl Characters

Top 10: Best Chapter Books for Summer Reading (Incoming Grades 3-5)

Top 10: Best Middle School Books for Summer Reading

10 Great Picture Books for Summer Reading

10. Come On, Rain by Karen Hesse

With gorgeous watercolor illustrations, this picture book evokes the heat of the inner city in the summer as well as the tightly knit community in a beautifully written story.  [preschool through 1st grade]

9. Seashells by the Seashore by Marianne Collins Berkes

This book combines counting to ten with identifying common seashells so it’s a must-have for anyone thinking of beachcombing this summer.  [toddler through 3rd grade]

8. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

This is a very simple story about a boy who asks the zoo for a pet and receives a plethora of animals that are not quite right until the final shipment arrives.  [toddler through kindergarten]

7. Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong

This is a great story for any child wondering about their identity, being “American” while also celebrating their cultural heritage.  [preschool through kindergarten]

6. Rhino? No Hippo! by Jeff Newman

A crazy and funny mix-up at the zoo!  [toddler through kindergarten]

5. Hot Day on Abbott Avenue by Karen English

I was fortunate to see original artwork by Karen English from this book at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.  She makes these 3-D collages for each page.  This is another glimpse into an urban inner-city summer experience.  [preschool through 2nd grade]

4. The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

This is one of my all-time favorite picture books about a little girl growing up during the Great Depression.  Her green thumb helps to lift her spirits as well as her uncle’s struggling bakery.  A really beautiful story told as much through the illustrations as through the words.  [preschool through 3rd grade]

3. Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Did you know that you can spot the red balloon, the mouse, and the banana on every page?  The balloon can be hard to find… And notice the photos in the Zoo Keeper’s house.  Do you recognize any of the animals in the portraits?   [toddler and preschool]

2. Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert

This book is so gorgeously illustrated that when I painted a mural in my daughter’s room, I had this book open for inspiration.  Summer is all about gardens and flowers and creepy crawly insects.  Plant a butterfly garden this summer after reading this book.  [toddler and preschool]

1. A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee

My five-year-old son loves this book.  If a little boy could plan his perfect summer, it might be something like a couple of weeks in this story.  [preschool through 1st grade]

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on the image of the book.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

My books:

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

• ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
• Junior Library Guild Gold selection
• Massachusetts Book Award Long List
• dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
• Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
• 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
• Green Earth Book Award Long List
• Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
• Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me