School’s out, and summer officially begins today. One of the best ways to prevent the research-based summer slide is to read. Since younger kids are most susceptible to learning loss, I’m sharing my favorite children’s books to embrace the season and make travel easier.
Down Under the Pier (By Nell Cross Beckerman)
This book is pure nostalgia with references to the Ferris wheel, carousel, and Skee-Ball. You can almost taste the cotton candy. The characters find their way beneath the pier for some free fun. I laugh every time I read this line:
“We look and wonder… Will it do anything at all if we just gently poke it?”
Rachell Sumpter’s illustrations are a dreamy touch in a story that brings you up close and personal with ocean life under the pier.
The Book with No Pictures (By B.J. Novak)
Stay with me here. The #1 reason this made my list? It’s the BEST book to read aloud in the car. Why? Kids can’t complain about not seeing the pictures from the back seat. I like to kick off long road trips with a reading (sometimes back-to-back readings) of The Office star’s silly book. Expect lots of laughter.
My Garden (By Kevin Henkes)
With some recent plant-themed crafts and gifted seeds, my daughters and I have a newfound desire to make something grow. Caldecott medalist Kevin Henkes’ New York Times bestselling picture book is your tool to inspire future gardeners. A girl helps in her mom’s garden. Yet, in the garden of her imagination, there are chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, and flowers that change color. It’s magical.
I LOVE Strawberries! (By Shannon Anderson)
In the same vein, Anderson’s book inspires green thumbs among kids—literally. The main character, Jolie, colors her thumb green. My oldest loves strawberries, so I bought this book on a whim. It’s inspiring how Jolie persisted in growing her own strawberries and the lessons she learned along the way. I loved the journal style from her point of view, and the ending was deeply satisfying.
Food Truck Fest! (By Alexandra Penfold)
I’m quickly learning that most books on this list are simply favorite things my young family likes to do—summer or not. Food Truck Fridays at our pool are a summer tradition. We’re all at our best and happiest.
Penfold’s book (no surprise) has a great cadence and rhyme. The story unfolds with one family heading to the Food Truck Fest while the workers ready their kitchens-on-wheels. The story begins in the morning and ends at night. We call that “holding hands” in the children’s lit community, or in Food Truck Fest’s case, “Chef’s Kiss!”
It Began with Lemonade (By Gideon Sterer)
Every year, a lemonade stand is on our family’s bucket list. My girls are little entrepreneurs hoping to make a few bucks to blow at the Dollar Store. In the book, a spunky girl faces tough competition in the lemonade biz. She journeys to the river to set up shop with unexpected clientele. The final illustration of the protagonist dreaming of a top-notch stand is an all-time favorite.
Aqualicious (By Victoria Kann)
Drop a mini-mermaid in the world of Pinkalicious and you’ve got a hit. Everyone’s favorite pink-loving gal hits the beach with her family, where she meets said mermaid, Aqua. A pink-amazing adventure ensues!
Daniel Tiger’s 5-Minute Stories (By various authors)
The 5-Minute series is genius. Short on time before nap or bedtime? Read one story. Trying to fill a long car ride or one of summer’s never-ending days? Read ‘em all! I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: I love anything related to Mister Rogers. So an animated series based on his life’s work is a regular show in our household. The book features 12 of Daniel Tiger’s adventures, covering many firsts: school, doctor visits, sleepovers, fireworks, or trying new foods.
The Story Hour (Compiled by Esther M. Bjoland)
This collection is a gem my sister-in-law found. It has nursery rhymes of all different lengths – some familiar, others less known but still loved by children. There’s an excitement for readers and listeners to start on any page—unsure of what’s next.
Fancy Nancy’s 12-Book Fantastic Phonics Fun! (By Jane O’Connor)
Twelve mini-books in a box = non-stop entertainment. Kids love taking them out. Putting them back in. Again. And, again. All Fancy Nancy books are great, but the short-and-sweet nature of this phonics set is perfect for post-beach or post-pool downtime. The stories—like Fancy Class, The Boy from Paris, and Field Day—keep kids engaged. Bonus: The phonics structure really helps kids learn to read or enhance early literacy skillsets. The recommended age-range is 3-6 but I don’t think you can start too early. We re-read a bunch on vacation one week and saw progress.
The moral of these stories? Get reading this summer and don’t forget about your local Indie bookstores or library!
Lauren's Law 