Kids Picks
Have you started your summer reading yet? You can’t wait too long or it’s going to be hard to catch up! We have now reached what they call the “dog days of summer” where it’s just too hot to do much, unless you are in the water or at least by the water. For the days when you would rather sit in the air conditioning or still want to lie in the sun, here are some great new books to read while you cool off.
Ages 3-5
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Summer” by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is back and here to celebrate the season of summer! There is so much that the season has to offer including noisy bugs, warm sunshine, and most especially the delicious smells coming from a cookout. Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar and explore everything the season has to offer!
“And Then Comes Summer” by Tom Brenner
There is no season that can quite compare to summer. What’s better than wearing flip-flops, playing hide-and-seek, watching the fireworks, and chasing down ice cream trucks? Summer days seem to last forever, and Tom Brenner’s tribute to summer will bring back memories for some and give ideas to create new memories for others.
Ages 6-8
“How I Spent My Summer Vacation” by Mark Teague
While most kids spend summer at the beach or at camp, Wallace Bleff is supposed to go visit his Aunt Fern. But he doesn’t want to talk about that on the first day of school. Instead, he makes up a story about being carried off by cowboys and learning all about the Wild West. He spends his summer days roping cattle and riding broncos. Wallace’s imaginary tale will have kids laughing and wishing they could be cowboys too!
“My Weird School Special: Bummer in the Summer!” by Dan Gutman, Jim Paillot (Illustrator)
School is finally out for the summer and A.J. can’t wait to put all of his summer fantasies into motion. But then three familiar spirits show up to remind him of summers past, show him the present summer and warn him how his future summers will be if he doesn’t shape up! Will they be able to convince him to stop causing trouble or is this another summer headed for disaster?
Ages 9-11
“Caterpillar Summer” by Gillian McDunn
Cat has spent most of her life helping her brother Chicken who has special needs. They have always had a unique bond and she is the only one who can calm him when he has a meltdown. Their mother has been working overtime since their father passed away and Cat has been the one keeping it together for her family. When their summer plans get derailed, Cat and Chicken end up spending three weeks with their grandparents that they had never met until now. While they help with Chicken, Cat finally has the chance to be a kid again. Along the way she learns a lot about family and healing broken relationships.
“Manatee Summer” by Evan Griffith
Peter and his best friend, Tommy, have one goal to accomplish during their last summer before they start middle school – finish their Discovery Journal. The Journal details the wildlife around the Florida town where they live. In their travels, they find a manatee in a canal. At first the manatee is something to observe until it is injured by a boat. Then the manatee becomes something they need to protect. Peter joins the mission to save the Florida manatees while also taking care of his sick grandfather. When something happens that could jeopardize his friendship with Tommy, Peter ends up learning as much about himself as he does the rest of the world.
