MotherReader

Like last week’s post of summer chapter books, I’m giving quick summaries of thirteen picture books. And these are special picture books, selected by me over my years of experience with the titles to put together a list that represents many different and diverse summers. Even as a proclaimed beach bum, I’ve limited my shore stories to only two, leaving room for the many ways people see summer in the city, in parades, in the pool, and even abroad. I’ve also organized this list in order of the author, making it easier to print out and find the books at your local library. Let us begin with my personal favorite that just happens to be first...

Beach
by Elisha Cooper
A day at the beach is captured beautifully in a series of seashore scenes from suntanning to swimming to shoveling sand. A beach-lover’s delight.

And Then It Rained : And Then the Sun Came Out...
by Crescent Dragonwagon, illustrated by Diane Greenseid
In one side of this story, the rain just won’t stop, but turn the book over and it’s the story of a blaring sun-baked town that needs the refreshing (turn it over) rain. Very clever.

Bebé Goes to the Beach
by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Steven Salerno
A sprinkle of Spanish words throughout the text sets apart this beach tale of one bebé who keeps his mama quite busy.

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
by Marla Frazee
Two boys spent the week at Grandpa’s “camp,” with different interpretations of the activities than those of the adults around them. Terrific fun.

Mermaids on Parade
by Melanie Hope Greenberg
Everyone loves a parade — and mermaids for that matter — and this book celebrates both in its depiction of the annual Coney Island event.

Come on, Rain
by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Jon J. Muth
In the heat of the city, a girl waits for the rain to cool things off, and then celebrates by dancing outside with friends and family when it finally comes. Joyful and lovely.

When the Fireflies Come
by Jonathan London, illustrated by Terry Widener
A slow summer day of barbecue and baseball turns into a slow summer night with friends and fireflies. What could be better?

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Swim
by Deb Lucke
Regardless of the heat, a young boy won’t swim in the pool, but finally gives in to find that he never wants to get out!

Summer Sun Risin’
by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Don Tate
A day on a farm in the summertime includes plenty of chores, but also time for fishing and stories for an African American family.

Think Cool Thoughts
by Elizabeth Perry, illustrated by Linda Bronson
A young girl tries to keep cool in her city apartment, but is excited by the prospect of sleeping on the roof with her mom and aunt.

Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic
by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Leslie Evans
Summer stables become poems as linoleum-block illustrations set the scenes.

Monsoon Afternoon
by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeqqi
On a visit to India, a boy learns of the pleasures to be found in the summer monsoon season through the eyes of his beloved grandfather.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation
by Mark Teague
An imaginative boy spins a tale of Wild West adventures when asked about his summer vacation. How’s yours going?

(This post was previously published at PBS Booklights)