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Growing Reader

Feel-Good Picture Books for the Warm Days of Summer

by Jennifer Garry

With bookbags retiring to closets, schedules getting tossed out the window, and the summer sun soaking everything in a magical glow, it’s time to turn our attention to books that fit the mood. Feel-good, nature-drenched, easy-breezy tales are at the very top of my family’s to-be-read list this season.

These picture books are exactly what you and your little readers need to get into that summertime groove.

Hot Dog

Hot Dog

by Doug Salati

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When an overheated and overwhelmed dog lies down in the middle of a busy crosswalk, his owner whisks him away for a relaxing day at the beach. The dog spends a joyful day there, running, sniffing, and exploring. This New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal-winning picture book is a must-read for summer.

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If You Spot a Shell

If You Spot a Shell

by Aimée Sicuro

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This gorgeous picture book encourages children to explore nature and use their imaginations. A little girl collects seashells on the beach and imagines a unique use for each one. From a starfish Ferris Wheel to dancers in anemone tutus, the girl’s ideas will captivate and inspire readers of all ages. If you like this book, check out its companion, If You Find a Leaf.

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Bright Lights and Summer Nights

Bright Lights and Summer Nights

by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Zach Manbeck

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Mother Moon spins a heartwarming and comforting narrative for her restless star baby in this sweet picture book. The spare text carries readers through beloved summer activities like a country fair and playing with friends. Vibrant illustrations and the cozy atmosphere make this an excellent bedtime pick for the summer season.

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When Summer Comes

When Summer Comes

by Aimée M. Bissonette, illustrated by Erin Hourigan

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Celebrate the adventure that summer offers with this beautiful picture book about one family’s seasonal excursions. From hiking and camping to flying kites and playing at the beach, the sparse text and expressive illustrations will make readers of all ages want to get outside and enjoy the warm weather.

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City Summer, Country Summer

City Summer, Country Summer

by Kiese Laymon, illustrated by Alexis Franklin

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In this poetic picture book, a group of Black boys become friends while visiting their neighboring grandmothers in Mississippi and enjoy an adventure together. At first, the boys hesitate to get to know each other, but soon embark on an unforgettable summer journey filled with sunshine and friendship. If love stories about Black boy joy, summer, and playing outdoors, this book is a must-have.

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Sand Cakes

Sand Cakes

by Kallie George, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth

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On a trip to the beach, a little girl makes desserts out of sand, shells, seaweed, and sea foam. But no matter how many sandy treats she makes, nobody will try them. The girl keeps her spirits up and continues “baking” her beachy delicacies. A surprise customer at the end of the book reminds readers that success can come in unexpected ways. Readers of all ages will appreciate this sunny story about resilience, imagination, and persistence.

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The Sandcastle That Lola Built

The Sandcastle That Lola Built

by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Kate Berube

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This funny and modern take on The House that Jack Built is sure to make your whole family want to pack up and head to the beach. Lola is building a dreamy sandcastle and has visions of mermaids moving in. But the beach is crowded, and her sandcastle falls again and again. Undaunted, Lola recruits the responsible parties to help out, and her sandcastle (and circle of friends) gets bigger and bigger — until a wave crashes in. Will the sandcastle — and Lola’s cheerful can-do attitude — recover? With messages of cooperation and perseverance, this book is sure to become a favorite.

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It Began with Lemonade

It Began with Lemonade

by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Lian Cho

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Is there anything better than an ice-cold glass of lemonade on a scorching hot summer day? The young girl in this picture book doesn't think so. After slicing, squeezing, and stirring lemons, she's ready to open her lemonade stand. But the sidewalk is already crammed with other stands. Determined, the girl sets off toward the countryside, finding some pretty unexpected customers by a river. Cho's lush cartoon illustrations are full of playful details, adding to the charm of this delightful story.

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Finding Wild

Finding Wild

by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Abigail Halpin

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Two city kids step off the subway and into a wonder-filled nature adventure in this delightful story. Lyrical prose and gorgeous watercolor illustrations envelop you in natural beauty, reminding readers young and old that you can find a little bit of wild just about anywhere. Guaranteed to spark curiosity and an itch to explore, this book is perfect for a wide-open summer afternoon.

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Natsumi’s Song of Summer

Natsumi’s Song of Summer

by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Misa Saburi

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When Natsumi learns that her family is traveling from America to spend the summer in Japan, she is nervous that they won’t have anything in common. But she soon learns that her cousin loves the ocean, watermelon, and fireworks, just like her! Will her cousin also share her love for bugs, especially the cicadas that come out in the summertime? This sweet picture book is a loving celebration of summer and friendship.

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The Night Is Yours

The Night Is Yours

by Abdul-Razak Zachariah, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

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This story, narrated by a father, takes place one hot summer’s night as a group of friends play hide-and-seek by moonlight outside of their apartment complex. Amani and the moon seem to work together to find her hiding friends and the moon’s glow spotlights Amani’s beauty and strength. An ode to the fun and freedom found during summer nights, this story also celebrates community and self-confidence.

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The Night Before Summer Vacation

The Night Before Summer Vacation

by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Julie Durrell

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There sure is a lot of packing to do before a family trip! The little girl in this story is thinking about all of the things she might need to have a great summer — her bike, snorkel, supplies to make s’mores, and more. But in all the excitement, will she forget something important? This funny and relatable book is an excellent read to prep kids for their own summer getaways.

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How to Ride a Dragonfly

How to Ride a Dragonfly

by Kitty Donohoe, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

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Go on a wild adventure this summer with this hilarious picture book! Here, a little girl shrinks herself down to the size of a bug so that she can take a ride on a dragonfly. Together you’ll go on a once-in-a-lifetime journey jousting bumblebees, dancing to the Beetle Band, and meeting fairies. But be careful, you have to make it back home by sunset or you’ll stay small!

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The Snail and the Whale

The Snail and the Whale

by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

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When a tiny snail who longs to travel meets a giant humpback whale, the two set off on an adventure around the world. The friends see icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and storms. But when the whale accidentally swims too close to the shore, it is the snail who will save the day. From the creators of The Gruffalo, kids are sure to giggle through this delightful tail — er, tale!

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And Then Comes Summer

And Then Comes Summer

by Tom Brenner, illustrated by Jaime Kim

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This positively delightful, nostalgic book is an ode to summer, from a child’s joyful anticipation of the last day of school to all the sweaty, sticky, glorious moments that follow. A celebration of the season that will engage all your senses, this is the perfect read for “when the days stretch out like a slow yawn.” (I’m feeling dozy already.)

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Summer Vacation, Here I Come!

Summer Vacation, Here I Come!

by D.J. Steinberg, illustrated by John Joven

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From the author of the classic, Kindergarten, Here I Come! comes a collection of poems that celebrate all things summer. Whether it is diving into the pool or going on a family roadtrip, each page is sure to bring out the joy of this amazing season!

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How to Code a Sandcastle

How to Code a Sandcastle

by Josh Funk, illustrated by Sara Palacios

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It’s the last day of summer vacation, and Pearl really wants to finish the sandcastle she’s been working on all season. She decides to join forces with her robot friend, Pascal, and use computer coding to break the project down into smaller, more manageable steps. Combining humor, sun-filled illustrations, and introductory coding concepts, this book from the nonprofit group Girls Who Code celebrates the joys of summer while teaching kids a little something in the process.

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The Golden Glow

The Golden Glow

by Benjamin Flouw

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Fox loves nature, and he loves looking through his botany books. One night, he discovers a rare flower from the Wellhidden family that only grows high in the mountains, and he decides to search for it. Come morning, he heads to the woods on a grand hike, observing many different trees and plants and meeting friends who help him make it to the top. A blend of fiction and nonfiction elements, this book joyously celebrates the natural world.

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Goldfish on Vacation

Goldfish on Vacation

by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Leo Espinosa

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What seems like a pretty boring summer vacation quickly becomes exciting when an unkept fountain in New York City is fixed up and turned into a goldfish pond. The entire community comes together to bring their goldfish for a little vacation and listen to stories about the olden days. With bright retro-style illustrations and a sweet storyline based on true events, this book will draw in young and old readers alike.

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A Lullaby of Summer Things

A Lullaby of Summer Things

by Natalie Ziarnik, illustrated by Madeline Valentine

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A perfect bedtime read, A Lullaby of Summer Things follows a little girl and her family as they return home from a day at the beach. As they get ready for bed, they are reminded of all the fun they had that day — swimming in the waves, playing with the dog, looking at sailboats — until they drift off to sleep. With peaceful, lyrical text, it won’t be long before your little one is lulled to sleep.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.