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Our desire for reading develops at an early age and the summer days are the perfect time for your young kids to pick up a book and read. Whether it is outside under a tree or curled up in bed next to you, here are a few summer books for children to add to their reading lists that are sure to keep your young readers glued to every word.
Summer Books for Children – PreSchool
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise
This delightful great book follows a game of imaginative chase between a mother and her young bunny. Whether the young bunny takes the form of a fish in a stream or a rock on a mountain, the mother always finds him. This old favourite is sure to make offer your child a sense of security and comfort.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
This enjoyable wonderful book is great on those sunny days, It centres on a young rabbit who has decided to come up with creative ways to tell his father how much he loves him. The two take turns trying to outdo each other when it comes to the level of their love. One of the more touching parts in the book comes when the father rabbit says to his sleeping son, “I love you right to the Moon.”
Summer Books for Children – School Age
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
“I will not eat green eggs and ham, I will not eat them, Sam-I-am.” Without a doubt, one of the more popular books by Dr. Seuss has stood the test of time and has become a tradition in many households since it was first published.
Curious George by Hans Augusto Rey
The mischievous main character monkey not only entertains his readers, but he helps them learn the basic concepts of reading, like the alphabet, emotions, and counting. Countless Curious George books follow the inquisitive monkey on his adventures as he captures the imagination of kids of all ages.
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
This series of favourite books follows the adventures of a child, Emily Elizabeth, and her best friend, Clifford. Created in 1863, Clifford the Big Red Dog has entertained children over the years as he teaches them everything from manners to good deeds.
The Little Engine That Could By Watty Piper
This timeless piece of writing has delighted children over the years as it engraved its motto into our core beliefs of never giving up. The Little Engine that Could is the perfect bedtime story to read to your children as they drift off to sleep.
Summer Books for Children – Tweens
Charlotte’s Web By E.B. White
This amazing book is great for the summer months. It follows the budding friendship of Wilbur the simple pig and a spider, named Charlotte. It is hard not to be enamoured by the characters and how things develop throughout the story as Charlotte does everything she can to save the life of Wilbur.
A Wrinkle In Time By Madeleine L’engle
The story focuses on Meg Murray and her younger brother, Charlie, and their mother as they meet a stranger on a dark stormy night. Created in the fantasy genre, your children will be drawn in as they follow along with the family in their search for their missing scientist dad.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
This delightful children’s story has captured the imagination of children over the years as readers follow the adventures of Charlie as he explores the one place every kid wants to go, a chocolate factory. Along the way, we come across unforgettable characters like Veruca Salt, who always have a lesson to teach us.
Summer Books for Children – Teens
Where The Red Fern Grows By Wilson Rawls
This unforgettable literary classic will take your young adults and even the most reluctant reader on an adventure with Billy and his faithful hound dog. We see Billy grow through his adventures and teach us about the simple values of love, devotion, and courage. By the time you are done reading this book, it will have earned a special place in your heart.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Before the Lord of the Rings list of books, the Hobbit was created. Tolkien takes us on an adventure with Bilbo Baggins seek out adventure and crosses paths with everything from giant spiders to Gollum and the mystical ring. Though this story takes a lighter tone than the following stories, young adults will be enthralled as they enter the world of Tolkien.
The Best Summer Books For Children And Their Best Friends
As schools let out across the country, many parents are beginning to make plans for the summer with their school-age children. One of the most important things we can do as parents are to ensure that our children keep their reading skills sharp while having fun in the sun this year. These are some of the best books that provide both learning and entertainment value. Remember that most local libraries will let your children have their library cards and many even provide special summer gifts for avid bookworms!
Preschool and Kindergarten
- One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews – This is an easy read about a young child’s fun on a summer day. Beautiful photographs and a thunderstorm make it a wonderful read.
- Little Lost Bat By Sandra Markle – The heartwarming tale of an orphaned bat and its adoptive parents is a surefire way to spend quality time with your child. It also includes additional facts about bats, some of nature’s most playful animals. It’s one of my five-year-old daughter’s favourite stories.
- When Rain Falls by Melissa Stewart – Where do all of the animals go when it rains? This excellent read for your family is great for those quick summer showers that bring the fun back inside.
Early Readers
- Surprising Sharks By Nicola Davies – Young children are often fascinated by creatures and this picture book teaches about many different sharks. From the tiniest to the most terrifying, your child will have a blast learning all about these wonderful creatures.
- Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day by Dawn Lesley Stewart – Another of my daughter’s favourites, though she is still a little girl and too young to read it by herself. Harriet’s hair is untamable and despite their often hilarious attempts at fixing it, her siblings eventually learn to accept it as it is.
Grades 3 and 4
- Dogku By Andrew Clements – A cleverly arranged haiku relates the tale of Mooch, a dog living the high life by annoying the neighbours, going for car rides, and chewing on dirty socks. It’s a great way to introduce someone to a unique and exotic storytelling style.
- Simple Sleight-Of-Hand By Paul Zenon – Ever wanted to do magic when you were a young girl? This clearly described guidebook with beautiful illustrations will have your child pulling rabbits out of hats in no time. Great fun for the magician and the audience on those lazy days of summer!
Grades 5 and 6
- The Penderwicks, A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall – A man and his four daughters go on a summer vacation in the beautiful mountainside. Their adventures with the local fauna, including one strange local boy, make for a great break from the summer doldrums.
- Ender’s Game By Orson Scott Card – Here’s one for the children who enjoy a good science fiction challenge for the perfect summer day. This Hugo and Nebula award winner is great for the young reader who can’t quite get away from his computer. A young little boy is trained in a military school believing he is playing computer simulations until he discovers the battles are real.
