12 Summer Picture Book Treats

Summer is Here, by Heidi Pross Gray
Nature is approaching its bountiful, intoxicating peak right now, and there’s no end to the wondrous things you can see—butterflies are emerging, berries are ripening on their vines, and crystal-clear streams are teeming with tadpoles and guppies. Take in each piece of this sensational season with Gray’s delightful story. Watercolor illustrations are bursting with life, and whimsical rhyming text will make this a favorite for many summers to come!

McElligot’s Pool, by Dr. Seuss
Full of colorful wit and imagination, this engaging tale from Dr. Seuss will quickly become a must-read at your house. When Marco, our unflappable young hero, plants himself on the shore of McElligot’s Pool, he has one thing on his mind: fish. He’s so determined to catch something, in fact, that he remains resolute in the face of strong doubts from a farmer—the only adult in the story. Much to our reading (and viewing) delight, he spends long moments daydreaming of all the fish that might have found their way from the sea into McElligot’s diminutive pond. As always, this Seuss classic is a timeless triumph.

Alphaprints Fun in the Sun, by Roger Priddy
All the touch-and-feel Alphaprints sea animals can’t wait for summertime—that’s when they’re the center of attention! Take this along on your vacation, or just have a beach experience at story time—your littlest reader will be surprised and delighted!

Sam and the Firefly, by P.D. Eastman
Sam the Owl and Gus the Firefly are inseparable, for they share a love of spreading light in the night sky. Indeed, Gus lights up the sky with his wings, which naturally leads to sky-writing. But, in order to avoid confusion and chaos for the people down below, his spelling needs some help—and that’s where Sam the Owl can gently demonstrate his expertise. Let your young scholar share this easy-reader classic with you tonight.

Curious George Goes Camping, by Margret and H.A. Rey
When Curious George goes along on a camping trip with his favorite Man in the Yellow Hat, you know he’s bound to find trouble—even if his intentions are good. Indeed, on the way to gather water, George not only meets a skunk, but he witnesses a forest fire—and even endeavors to put the fire out. Brimming with good ol’ camping hijinks, this tale is perfect for your little mischief-maker!

Beach Baby, by Laurie Elmquist and Elly MacKay
Just like the undulating sea, the gentle rhymes and soft watercolor illustrations here will gently lull your littlest readers to sleep. Page after page will reveal all the treasures—like sand dollars, castles, and seals—that will await baby tomorrow. The only thing missing is SPF 100 lotion!

Beach House, by Deanna Caswell and Amy June Bates
Complemented by warm golds, yellows, and oranges, this is a summertime book you’ll want to savor the whole year through. Follow a young family on their beach vacation—digging for clams, jumping in the waves, and roasting hot dogs over the fire. Sweet sea dreams surely await if you slow down and enjoy this story tonight!

Our Great Big Backyard, by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager
Released in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, Our Great Big Backyard showcases the wild natural beauty of our fascinating country. It’s an expansive story that starts with Jane, who dreams of a screen-filled summer—and gets a road-trip with the family instead. From jutting rocks to gator-filled swamps, Jane gets a taste of every sort of outdoors, and somewhere along the way—she starts to enjoy herself. Quench your wanderlust with this early summer treat!

If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t!, by Elise Parsley
Just as she was determined to bring a giant reptile to show-and-tell in If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t, willful Magnolia has her own ideas about what to bring on a beach vacation in her latest tale. As the title suggests, Magnolia wants to stuff more than a sand shovel and a Frisbee in her suitcase—she wants to pack her upright piano! Hilarious and engaging from start—this will quickly become a bedtime favorite!

Daniel Goes to the Carnival, by Angela C. Santomero and Jason Fruchter
Daniel Tiger’s family is visiting a carnival for the first time, and Daniel couldn’t be more excited! There are fun games and yummy snacks—and a Ferris wheel too! Daniel can’t decide if he’s ready for the big ride or not, but he knows Mom and Dad will be there every step of the way. Share this encouraging story with your Daniel Tiger fan tonight!

Three Magic Balloons, by Julianna Margulies, Paul Margulies, and Grant Shaffer
Instead of spending money on themselves after a golden day at the zoo, three generous sisters decide against buying a refreshing treat for themselves. Instead, they elect to buy food for the animals they’ve enjoyed all day. In exchange for their selfless acts, a vendor gives them each a magic balloon to affix to their bedposts. Just as they hoped, their dreams are enchanted, and they visit far-off kingdoms and encounter mystical creatures. Magical balloons are the feature here, but there’s real heart in this story too.

Go, Pete, Go!, by James Dean
It’s a beautiful summer afternoon, and Pete the Cat can’t wait to ride his bicycle and turn the handle on his shiny little bell. So when Turtle shows up in his magnificent new car, the race is on! In this very special retelling of The Tortoise and the Hare, there’s an important lesson to be learned, and you and your little readers will have a groovy time getting to it!