Summertime is for making childhood memories: running in sprinklers, setting off fireworks, and…reading! Yes, reading. (This is a book blog. Would you expect us to advise any activity other than reading?) Reading during the summer is good for more than just making memories of places someone has never been with people they’ve never met. Ever hear of the summer slide? That’s what happens to kids’ brains when they don’t engage in any mental calisthenics over summer vacation. Studies show that kids who don’t read during summer lose at least 22% of what they learned the previous school year. This means teachers have to spend valuable time in the classroom re-teaching students what they’ve already learned. However, children who read over summer break actually gain reading skills. If you want to help kids in your life gain skills over the summer, give them the gift of reading. Here are a few books to get you started:
Flora and the Flamingo
By: Molly Idle
A 2014 Caldecott Honor Book. In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, FloraImage may be NSFW.
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and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance. With a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony. Full of humor and heart, this stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!
Ages 3-6 (Publisher’s Marketing)
The Numberlys
By: William Joyce
“Once upon a time there was no alphabet, only numbers.” Life was…fine. Orderly. Dull as gray paint. Very…numberly. But our five jaunty heroes weren’t willing to accept that this was all thereImage may be NSFW.
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could be. They knew there had to be more.
So they broke out hard hats and welders, hammers and glue guns, and they started knocking some numbers together. Removing a piece here. Adding a piece there. At first, it was awful. But the five kept at it, and soon it was…artful! One letter after another emerged, until there were twenty-six. Twenty-six letters—and they were beautiful. All colorful, shiny, and new. Exactly what our heroes didn’t even know they were missing.
And when the letters entered the world, something truly wondrous began to happen…Pizza! Jelly beans! Color! Books!
Ages 3-7 (Publisher’s Marketing)
Pirates Love Underpants
By: Claire Freedman
Grab your peg leg and your parrot and don’t forget the underpants. This wacky picture book pairsImage may be NSFW.
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pirates and underwear in an uproarious adventure.
These pirates SO love underpants,
They’re on a special quest
To find the fabled Pants of Gold,
For the Captain’s treasure chest.
This laugh-out-loud underpants adventure is full of pirates, sharks, and treasure. You’ll be yo-ho-ho-ing with hilarity until the pirates conclude their zany expedition!
Ages 4-7 (Publisher’s Marketing)
Big Bad Bubble
By: Adam Rubin
An ordinary bubble may seem pretty harmless to you. To the monsters of La La Land, however, aImage may be NSFW.
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fragile, shimmering bubble is an object of terror, and when the frightening habits of bubbles are detailed by a fear-mongering monster, Yerbert, Froofle, and Wumpus run away and cry. But with encouragement from the narrator and from readers—”Go on, Wumpus, you can do it. (Tell Wumpus he can do it.)”—the three learn to confront their fears and triumph over the bubbles!
Ages 4-8 (Publisher’s Marketing)
My New Friend Is So Fun!
By: Mo WillemsImage may be NSFW.
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Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In My New Friend Is So Fun!, Piggie has found a new friend! But is Gerald ready to share?
Ages 6-8 (Publisher’s Marketing)
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish
By: Mo O’Hara
When Tom’s big brother decides to become an Evil Scientist, his first experiment involves dunkingImage may be NSFW.
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Frankie the goldfish into toxic green gunk. Tom knows that there is only one thing to do: Zap the fish with a battery and bring him back to life! But there’s something weird about the new Frankie. He’s now a BIG FAT ZOMBIE GOLDFISH with hypnotic powers…and he’s out for revenge!
Ages 7-10 (Publisher’s Marketing)
Wonder
By: R.J. Palacio
“I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.” August PullmanImage may be NSFW.
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was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness”—indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
Ages 8-12 (Publisher’s Marketing)
We Were Liars
By: E Lockhart
A beautiful and distinguished family.Image may be NSFW.
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A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
Ages 12 and up (Publisher’s Marketing)