There are over 200 book lists for kids on Growing Book by Book. But, this one is extra special. It’s the second annual Summer Reading for Kids Book List.
As adults, we enjoy summer reading book lists each year to discover new reads and expand our reading horizons. I always look forward to the Modern Mrs. Darcy summer reading list for my personal adult reading suggestions.
Share this same anticipation and enthusiasm with children too. We are all truly interested in growing readers and helping children fall in love with books.
So, let’s dive into the picks for this year. A printable book list is also available. See below to download it. You can even share it with families.
Summer Reading Guide for Childen
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
A few notes about this book list.
- Many of the books on the list are picture books that can be shared with young children.
- You’ll find a mix of new releases and older favorites.
- Categories are fun and playful- just what summer reading should be.
- As with all the book lists on Growing Book by Book, I read each and every book before I recommend it to you. Only the top picks make it on any Growing Book by Book list.
Ok, on to the list!
Reads That Will Make You Laugh So Hard You’ll Spit Out Your Milk
Books that are full of laughs and snorts.
This is one that will still all their sillies. This is one that will make them laugh. This is one that will make them say, “Read it again!” Crash, Splash, or Moo! by Bob Shea is game show meets book and your kids get to be the contestants.
Throughout the book, the kids have to guess crash splash or moo. And, yes, they will scream it out. You could even have kids hold word cards up to practice word recognition or even write their answers on a mini whiteboard.
Oh, and the kids get a golden banana for each correct answer.
Get ready to read, laugh, and read again in Crash, Splash, or Moo!
Welcome to Emergency Monster Squad by Dave Horowitz. The book opens with an introduction of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and the services they provide when someone calls 911.
Ride with Sally and Gus in the ambulance as they answer different calls in the community from a skeleton missing the bones in his feet to a mama kraken hatching her eggs.
Not only will children be enthralled with the storyline and playful illustrations, but they will learn all about EMS vocabulary through the labels in the illustrations. There is even a glossary of over 25 words from bandage to the tibia.
For more super funny books check out this list.—>Funny and Silly Books
Book and Cook
Read a book and then try out the recipe included inside. Delicioso!
Get ready to make some pico de gallo after reading Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez. This story is an American-Mexican variation of Little Red Riding Hood. And, it’s a delight to read.
Frederico is on his way to visit his Abuelo when he runs into a hungry wolf. Of course, he outwits him and celebrates with a yummy treat with his Abuelo in the end.
It’s all about making sourdough bread making after reading The Bread Pet: A Sourdough Story by Kate Depalma. A young girl is tasked with babysitting her uncle’s sourdough starter. But, things grow into a dilemma that needs solving in a hurry. And, the community gets to benefit!
We have more books that will inspire you to read and cook.—>Books to Inspire You to Cook
Let’s Take a Trip Outdoors
Time to get out in nature with these titles.
The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann is the story of a little girl going on her first camping trip with her aunt and cousin. She’s excited while anticipating the trip but a little leary of swimming with fish, hiking up hills, and sleeping without her dad in the tent. But, with time and encouragement, she ends up enjoying herself and she can’t wait to tell her dad all about the adventure. This book is spot on with all the feelings of a new experience.
Saffron Ice Cream by Rashinis a neat pick because it compares going to the beach in Iran and the United States. A good pick for talking about similarities and differences.
Read It and Then Watch It
Read the book and then watch the movie.
My kids have enjoyed a Yes Day! for the last couple of years after we read Yes Day! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. It’s a day the kids design and the sky is pretty much the limit. My kids say it is their favorite day of the year. And, now the idea has been turned into a movie too.
I first learned about Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry after watching the short film which immediately sent me on a mission to get the book. Such a touching story of a dad doing his daughter’s hair.
If you like this category, then you’ll definitely want to join us for our Family Dinner Book Clubs last year. Each month we read a book that is also a movie.—>Check out Family Dinner Book Club.
Animal Adventures
Books about some amazing animals and people helping them.
13 Ways to Eat a Fly by Heavenrich is a super fun informational book. Count down from 13 to 1 as the flies get eaten by various means. From plants that liquefy them to spiders who wrap them.
When human activity interrupts animal habitats, it is important that people make sure that those animals are still safe and able to thrive. Learn all about that in Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary AnimalsCrossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield.
Enter inventive crossings created to help animals move without harm from ropes for monkeys to cross a Costa Rican road to underpasses for Black bear cubs to cross under a Montana highway.
Children will enjoy seeing all the creative ways safe passages have been created to help animals.
What to read even more books about animals. We’ve got so many lists from bees to whales.—>Animal Books for Kids
Get Hooked on a Graphic Novel
Graphic novels are a great entry point for children who say they don’t like reading.
Norman and Bella are craving donuts. In fact, they can smell them in the air. But, they have to figure out how to outsmart a donut food truck baker first in order to get some. Donut Feed the SquirrelsTurns out they create a sensational new donut flavor in the process in Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song.
It is laugh-out-loud funny and might even inspire you to create a new donut flavor too.
Meet the CatStronauts by Drew Brockington. Yes, space cats on missions to space. Yes, please! So much humor! Mission Moon is the first in the series.
For more graphic novel recommendations, check out our big list.—>Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers
I Can Read Now
New readers will love to read these books all by themselves.
Try the award-winning, See the Cat: Three Stories about a DogDavid Larochelle. Enjoy Max pleading with the book that he is a dog, NOT a cat.
And, if you enjoy it, look for See the Dog coming out in the fall of 2021.
Imagine getting zapped into a video game. Well, that is what happens to Jack in Jack Gets Zapped! by Mac Barnett. Can anyone get Jack out of the game?
Check out these other early reader books.—>Easy But Not Boring Early Readers
Jump Into an Early Chapter Book Series
Read a book and then get hooked on the entire series for the entire summer.
Mia Mayhem and the Super Family Field Day is the 9th book in the series by Kara West. Yep, it’s family field day and it is supposed to be about fun. But, superheroes can get pretty competitive.
Stink and the Hairy Spider by Megan McDonald is the 12th book in the series. In this spider-filled tale, we learn about Stink and his phobia of spiders.
Stink is Judy Moody’s younger brother if you enjoyed the Judy Moody beginning chapter book series.
Check out even more early chapter book series in our whole post dedicated to the topic.—>Early Chapter Book Series
Pick a Poem
Pick a poem a day all summer long.
Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast: And Other Tasty Poems by Jack Prelutsky will make your mouth water…maybe.
Cricket in the Thicket: Poems About Bugs by Carol Murray features all things creepy crawly. The poems are fun and educational.
This list should have you well on your way to a summer full of reading fun. Let me know which book the kids love the most. You can share in the comments or tag me on social media.
Printable Summer Reading List
Grab a printable list of the books above and keep track of your reading all summer long.
Keep the summer reading learning fun going all summer long with more resources on Growing Book by Book.
Books About Summer for Preschoolers
Summer Book Based Activity Calendars
2020 Summer Reading Guide for Children
Enjoy a summer of reading with kids!