The beach is a rite of summer for me and my family. My husband and I grew up near the beach; he in Northern California and I in Southern California. When we moved to Massachusetts, we were no longer a few minutes from the beach. It was a much bigger commitment to get to the beach but the upside was clam shacks, something that we did not have in California!
Now, the beach and clam shacks are forever intertwined as dual loves that, to us, define summer. My husband hates the New England winter, so each winter’s passing is celebrated by a trip to a clam shack, even if it’s too cold for the beach.
My kids have made a few trips out to Southern California recently because my mother isn’t doing very well. Their favorite beach is Hermosa Beach and again, it’s the food near the pier that they want even more than the beach. They love the acai bowls at Paradise Bowls and the breakfast burritos and fish tacos at Amigos Tacos. I’m glad that they love Hermosa Beach. I called it home for many years after I first graduated from college.
How about you? What are moments that define summer for you? Will you get to the beach this summer? Thanks for sharing!
p.s. I’m giving away the four board books listed here to one lucky winner! Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter!
p.p.s. More book lists for summer reading:
20 Great Books For Kids of All Ages Set During the Summer
Best Middle School Books for Summer Reading
Read Aloud Book Lists By Grade
11 Picture Books About the Beach
Swim with Little Fish! (wipe-clean + waterproof bath book) by Lucy Cousins
We had a Maisy by Lucy Cousins bath book with my kids were little and I used to take them into the tub with me. I loved turning bathtime into a quick reading session! This one about a happy little fish ends with kisses from Mommy Fish! It’s also great wherever sticky little fingers might be … the highchair, the stroller, or in the car! It’s adorable and also wipe-clean and worry-free! [bath book, ages 1 and up]
Baby Oceanographer by Dr. Laura Gehl, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
It’s never too early to plant a seed about science careers! Dr. Gehl uses simple language and STEM concepts that preschoolers can relate to like salty and float vs. sink. There is a huge trend in board books lately that I’ve noticed that feels more for adults than babies with concepts like being a foodie or astrophysics. I think it’s all good if you can entertain the adult and child readers! [board book, ages 2 and up]
Lois Looks for Bob at the Beach by Gerry Turley
Lois looks for Bob the bird in this Lift-the-Flap board book full of colorful illustrations of creatures. I like how this is a sturdy book with flaps that can handle wear and tear. You will be able to enjoy this book for years even if it is well-loved! [board book, ages 2 and up]
Who’s Hiding at the Beach? by Katherine McEwen
This is another Lift-the-Flap book with multiple flaps on every page! The flaps have to be pulled out and that requires nimble fingers, especially the first time. The back of each flap has nature facts featuring the animal it hides. This would be a good board book to read with siblings as older kids would also get something out of the book and can help with the flaps. [board book, ages 2 and up]
Waiting for Chicken Smith by David Mackintosh
David Mackintosh manages to skirt the line of a story that appeals to kids while also writing a layered story that brings adults back to their youth. A seaside family vacation has always included playing with the boy next week but this summer might be different. A boy waits for his friend, Chicken Smith, to arrive, ignoring his sister who urgently wants him to look at something. This is the start of a new kind of summer and this story gently suggests that change can be okay. And little sisters too! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Beach by Sol Undurraga
This is a stylishly designed Where’re Waldo + Telling Time beach picture book. Starting at 5:00 in the morning, the beach gets its first visitors. Fishermen, seagulls, and sunbathers all enjoy the beach. It’s utter chaos at 4:00 pm and the beach is completely full. By midnight, only a few people remain. Be sure and search for the two dozen objects hidden in the pages! I especially like the vibrant primary colors of this engaging picture book! [picture book, ages 7 and up]
Fish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup
I have to confess a deep love for textured, embossed book covers. They just feel luxurious, like a handmade quilt for a picture book. This one also has iridescent metallic highlights that really make the fish on the cover pop. Inside is also an equally wonderful surprise. With a beautiful palette of sea colors, this nonfiction picture book combines fun nature facts with engaging page layouts, and that is hard to pull off when there is a lot of information on a page! It’s the details of the book that really make it shine, from the illustration style to the hidden fish secretly hidden in the book. Kids who like nonfiction can really dig into this book! [nonfiction picture book, ages 6 and up]
Tropical Terry by Jarvis
This is The Rainbow Fish + Swimmy but with an anti-hero. Terry wants to be fancy to hang out with the popular fish instead of his real friends. The fancy fish make fun of Hide-A-Fish, Terry’s favorite game. But when a predator comes after them all, Terry’s skill at hiding comes in handy and he who his real friends are! This is a useful book to introduce bullying and wanting to be popular at all costs to kids which can hit in elementary school though it feels more like middle school to me. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Sea Glass Summer by Michelle Houts, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
This book reminds me of Flotsam by David Weisner. The books are not exactly identical; Flotsam is a wordless picture book that segues into another world. Sea Glass Summer has the same story-within-a-story that also explores found objects that wash up on the beach. I’d pair these books together and then go to the beach with a magnifying glass in hand, looking for sea glass and adventure! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Jasper & Ollie by Alex Willan
Technically Jasper & Ollie are going to a pool rather than a beach but I include this picture book because it’s funny! The humor is set up because Jasper is a squirrel and his friend Ollie is a sloth and it’s a race to get to the pool. It is a picture book in a graphic novel format. While there aren’t panels like a comic strip there are lots and lots of conversation bubbles. What is especially fun about this book is how Alex Willan captures the voice of a child and the shenanigans of high energy + an active mind! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
4 Beach Board Book GIVEAWAY!
I’m giving away the four board books listed here to one lucky winner! Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter! I can only mail to U.S. or AFO mailing addresses.
My Book Lists for the Seasons
Books for Kids About Spring
Top 10: Earth Day Picture Books
Top 10: Best Picture Books for Spring and Planting a Garden
A Multicultural Round Up of Butterfly Books for Kids
Books for Kids Set in Summer
Top 10: Best Coming of Age Chapter Books for Girls Set During the Summer
26 Wonderful Books for Kids Celebrating Summer
Books for Kids About Winter
10 Cozy New Winter Picture Books
Top 10: Favorite Winter Books for Kids
Books for Kids About Autumn
Autumn Picture Books with STEM and Diversity
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- 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
The beach board books look great. Just found out I’m going to be a grandma again in March can’t wait
Thanks for the recs, Mia! I’m excited to read Sea Glass Summer–love Bagram’s illustrations!
I always like the little critter books.
My newest “summer” favorite book is one I found here: Jabari Jumps. I just bought a copy for my nephew’s July birthday, and it’s going on my holiday giving list, too.
I grew up in Huntington Beach, so my beach memories are very similar to yours. As an adult I lived in San Clemente until fifteen years ago when we moved to Oregon–beaches here are not like the ones at “home”! I’m glad you are able to share your happy “beach food” memories with your kids. 🙂
We happen to be at the beach right now and two favorites are A House for a Hermit Crab by Eric Carle and Water Sings Blue by Kate Coombs (poetry). Thank you for your list.
I like the touch and feel board books for my baby.
I love to read bearanstein bears
We love Journey by Aaron Becker.
Goodnight Moon was an adorable book.
I used to love reading Lift a Flap books with my son!
I love Knuffle bunny by Mo Willems!
I love ANY Eric Carle books!
My boys liked reading One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.
“What are your favorite beach board or picture books for kids?” I like the artwork in “Moon: A Peek-Through Picture” by Britta Teckentrup!
love to read tropical terry
I love Gina Perry’s books.
Jabari Jumps!!!