10 Books to Read this Summer (with Kids)
Here are a list of some of my favorite "new" children's books, which I've encountered the past several years while teaching elementary school. By "new," I simply mean not a classic, or one I grew up reading. So while "The Giving Tree" is awesome, that won't be on the list. Freshen up your library this summer!
1. He Came with the Couch by David Slonim: I love the humor of this quirky book. It's about a family that gets a used couch from a flea market, only to discover that a creature is stuck on the couch. They try ways of removing him, and then ultimately accept him into the family. Engaging pictures and simple text make this a great read for younger listeners.
2. The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett: This is another humorous read with bright illustrations. A baby piglet and girl are accidentally switched at birth, so that the pig grows up in a clueless royal family and the girl grows up in a loving farming family. Elementary aged children will be able to connect and compare this story to other familiar fairy tales.
3. Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt: This adorable guy is the star of the Scaredy Squirrel series, which is great news because if you like one of these books, you'll like them all. In the original book, Scaredy Squirrel learns how to take risks and break free of his typical routine, incorporating a little adventure into his life. In subsequent books, he goes on different adventures, like camping. Children who love busy illustrations with lots of captions and labels will enjoy poring over each page.
4. What If You Had Animal Hair? by Sandra Markle: This is another series with multiple titles (animal teeth, animal ears, etc.). Each page includes a captivating illustration of a kid with an animal characteristic, describing how the adaptation helps the animal survive. There are also extra facts about each animal, which you can skip over if you have younger readers with shorter attention spans. 3rd-5th graders can probably read it on their own.
5. Blackout by John Rocco: This story takes place during the summer. All of the lights go out in the city, forcing a family to come together and find new modes of entertainment, like looking at the stars. This book heavily relies on illustrations to convey meaning, and mimics comic book text with captions and speech bubbles. Great for all ages!
6. Mango, Abuela and Me by Meg Medina: I stumbled upon this book at a bookstore in Winchester, Virginia. The illustrations, storyline, and bilingual aspects enchanted me right away. This is a story of a girl whose grandmother comes to live with them from another country. At first, the grandmother only speaks Spanish and the little girl only speaks English so they have stunted communication. Mia's family gets a pet bird, Mango, who creates a bridge between Mia and her abuela. They practice each other's language and their communication improves over time. I love everything about this book!
7. Flotsam by David Wiesner: This wordless picture book gives readers much to ponder. A boy finds a camera at the beach. He develops the roll of film and learns about the history of the camera, then continues the tradition. This storyline is too complex for younger readers, but elementary aged kids will enjoy the puzzle. The setting makes it a great summer vacation read!
8. A Tale of Two Beasts by Fiona Robertson: I ordered this book from Usborne when my friend Megan was having a party. This book is fantastic! Part 1 tells the story first from the girl's perspective, and Part 2 repeats the events from the animal's point of view. This is a great teaching tool for helping children see perspectives different from their own, and is hilarious in the process. I highly recommend it!
9. The Looking Book by P.K. Hallinan: This book is extremely relevant for our "plugged-in" culture. A mom forces her kids to turn off the T.V. and go outside and play. To inspire them, she gives them each "lookers" which help them appreciate everyday wonders (like spiderwebs and grass) that are outside in nature. In addition to the great message, this book also contains rhyming text, a great skill to practice with your kiddos this summer.
10. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker: Clementine is a spunky third grader with impulsivity problems and a kind heart. She calls her little brother by various vegetable names and has caring and involved parents. My 3rd graders this spring loved these books (another series!) as an ongoing read aloud and many upper elementary kids can read it on their own.
3. Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt: This adorable guy is the star of the Scaredy Squirrel series, which is great news because if you like one of these books, you'll like them all. In the original book, Scaredy Squirrel learns how to take risks and break free of his typical routine, incorporating a little adventure into his life. In subsequent books, he goes on different adventures, like camping. Children who love busy illustrations with lots of captions and labels will enjoy poring over each page.
4. What If You Had Animal Hair? by Sandra Markle: This is another series with multiple titles (animal teeth, animal ears, etc.). Each page includes a captivating illustration of a kid with an animal characteristic, describing how the adaptation helps the animal survive. There are also extra facts about each animal, which you can skip over if you have younger readers with shorter attention spans. 3rd-5th graders can probably read it on their own.
5. Blackout by John Rocco: This story takes place during the summer. All of the lights go out in the city, forcing a family to come together and find new modes of entertainment, like looking at the stars. This book heavily relies on illustrations to convey meaning, and mimics comic book text with captions and speech bubbles. Great for all ages!
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| 2012 Caldecott Honor Book (for illustrations) |
7. Flotsam by David Wiesner: This wordless picture book gives readers much to ponder. A boy finds a camera at the beach. He develops the roll of film and learns about the history of the camera, then continues the tradition. This storyline is too complex for younger readers, but elementary aged kids will enjoy the puzzle. The setting makes it a great summer vacation read!
 |
| 2007 Caldecott Honor Book (for illustrations) |
9. The Looking Book by P.K. Hallinan: This book is extremely relevant for our "plugged-in" culture. A mom forces her kids to turn off the T.V. and go outside and play. To inspire them, she gives them each "lookers" which help them appreciate everyday wonders (like spiderwebs and grass) that are outside in nature. In addition to the great message, this book also contains rhyming text, a great skill to practice with your kiddos this summer.
10. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker: Clementine is a spunky third grader with impulsivity problems and a kind heart. She calls her little brother by various vegetable names and has caring and involved parents. My 3rd graders this spring loved these books (another series!) as an ongoing read aloud and many upper elementary kids can read it on their own.
*A lot of the children's books I mentioned can also be found on youtube! If you don't have time to go to the library or have the energy to read with captivating expression, consider searching one of these titles and letting your kids watch someone else read the story! You can still pause the story to discuss what's happening, or replay favorite parts. Enjoy!
I'd love to hear which books you try, or other titles you and your family have recently discovered. Comment below or reply to my post share on Facebook!
XOXO,
Maria
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