Dear Diary,

As a former middle and high school English teacher, I often compiled summer reading lists for my students much to their chagrin but their parents’ delight. I thought it was important to keep them intellectually stimulated over the summer and even more important that they continue reading. Though a lot of our little ones are in daycare and summer camps , it’s great to have some good reading materials and jumpstart school, if they’re starting later this month.

I’ve been reading to my little girl since before she was born and taking her to the library since she could walk. Below is a list of some of our favorite summer books. Some are older, some are fairly new. Yet, all are fun reading for the little ones this summer. Beach books aren’t just for grown-ups anymore! Here’s how we celebrate the end of summer reading.

Age 2+

Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff 

This delightful book follows a little bear from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep as he explores colors through a romp in the forest with his mom.

It’s Summer by Linda Glaser

One in a series of rhyming books about the seasons. It follows one little girl’s observations of the way the world changes during the summer. Bonus: This book has a list of nature activities to do with a grownup during the summer.

Perritos: Un libro para contar y ladrar- Sandra Boynton

The title translates to Puppies: A Book to Count and Bark. This is a cute little book that teaches children to count in English and Spanish. It has clever little illustrations that look like cartoons.

Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn

Lola is lovable little girl who through a series of books has a number of adventures. In this book Lola decides to plant her own garden of flowers with her mom’s help.

Age 3+

How Do You Know it’s Summer? by Lisa Herrington

This book is labeled as a “Rookie Read about Science book.” It’s a neat easy to read science book that explores summer: its weather, its animals and its insects. It contains gorgeous full color photos of thunderstorms and insects. There is also a picture glossary and a brief experiment in the back.

Round Is a Tortilla (A Book of Shapes) by Rosanne Greenfield Thong

This is a clever little rhyming book that teaches children about their shapes using objects like watermelon slices and tortillas. It has a rhyming text, uses Spanish words and contains a helpful glossary at the end.

Shark Kiss, Octopus Hug by Lynn Rowe Reed

Another one of my daughter’s favorite books. In this book we meet Charlie the Shark and Olivia the Octopus who only want one thing: a kiss for Charlie and a hug for Olivia. Through the story we follow them as they plot to get their hearts’ desires. Colorfully and comically illustrated, the characters are full of goofy expressions and fun.

Wow! Ocean! by Robert Neubecker

This book is really much more about the illustrations than the text. Right on title page we are introduced to Izzy and her sister Jo who are taking their first trip from the mountains to the ocean. The rest of the book’s pages contain their exclamations (WOW!) and gorgeous illustrations of the things (Sea, Stars, Whales, Shells) they see during their trip to the ocean.

Age 4+

Big Hair, Don’t Care by Crystal Swain Bates

This book is a great self-esteem builder. The main character, Lola has BIG hair that she loves. And she shares how much she loves that hair with all of her friends. The text rhymes and is full of Lola’s snappy comebacks to her friends about how much she loves her hair. Nice colorful illustrations especially of Lola and her beautiful afro puffs.

Catching the Sun by Colleen M. Paratore

This is a lovely book about a young boy (Dylan) sharing a quiet tradition with his mom. Every summer on the last day of vacation, the two quietly slip out to “catch the sun”. This year his mom is expecting his younger brother or sister. The language of this book is calm and quiet and the illustrations are warm and peaceful.

Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bike by Chris Raschka

A very simple book about learning to ride a bike that will make your little one confident he/she can do it. A father guides his daughter through the entire process of learning to ride a bike including falling down but getting up to try and try again.

Froggy Plays T-Ball by Jonathan London 

My daughter loves the “Froggy” books. Froggy is a little boy frog with a number of personified animal friends that has a series of exciting adventures. In this installment, Froggy learns to play T-ball and how important it is to just give your best effort.

I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schoefield Morrison

A neat book about a little girl who on a walk to the park with her mother explores the musical sounds of the world around us. This book and its rhyming text encourages readers to clap their hands, snap their fingers and tap their toes to the rhythms in its pages.

Hey DFTM–What are you reading with your little one this summer?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Diary of a First Time Mom receives a portion of the profits if the reader makes a purchase after clicking the link. The author selected the titles and did not receive compensation to do so.