Summer Books (2019)

“When stores unfurl the Stars and Stripes, and flags wave from porches and cars, and the whole town seems wrapped in bunting…then dress up your bike and pedal to the parade.”

– And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner

Happy Independence Day! I don’t know about you, but for me, the Fourth of July holiday is the epitome of summer. It always falls in the middle of the standard summer vacation, and is celebrated with patriotic town parades, picnics and backyard BBQ’s, outdoor concerts, and so much more. For the kiddos, it means running through sprinklers, dancing with sparklers, eating homemade ice cream, and staying up late to watch magical firework displays! It’s always the height of summer – a day spent celebrating in the sunshine. And since the holiday is synonymous with summer…I figured it would be the perfect day to celebrate the season, and share our favorite Summer Books of 2019!

With this selection of stories, we’ve had the chance to explore sandy beaches and beautiful campsites. We’ve ventured into the ocean, with Pete the Cat, to meet all sorts of aquatic animals. We’ve flown through the seasons with Lucy Ladybug. We’ve watched a dog transform into a bushy-backed sea slug…right before our very eyes. And we’ve accompanied Mr. Magee (and his little dog, Dee) on two crazy, whirlwind adventures!

The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali
- It’s the first day of school and it’s time to for everyone to share their summer vacation stories. But one student is certain that his teacher won’t believe him, when he tells the story of his epic summer adventure. What starts out as a quiet day on the beach, quickly turns into a worldwide treasure hunt…instigated by one pesky magpie. With pirate ships, giant squids, submarines, spaceships, mummies, dragons, and more…this unbelievable story is sure to keep your kiddos completely engaged!
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
- We actually brought this delightful book home from the library last summer, and our little nugget loved it so much, she requested it again this summer! Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee, pack up their camper and set off into the mountains for a few nights of camping. But when they fail to clean-up their extra marshmallows before heading off to bed, they set a series of unfortunate events into motion. Events that culminate with their camper barreling toward a fifty foot waterfall. Will someone come to their rescue? Will they make it back home in one piece? Will they ever camp beyond their backyard again? 🙂 You’ll just have to snag a copy of this fun, rhythmic story to find out!
Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
- We loved camping with Mr. Magee so much, that we decided to join him on his adventure to the sea as well! It’s smooth sailing for Dee and Mr. Magee…until a playful whale decides to pay them a little visit. One big (and unexpected) spout of water from the whale’s blowhole sends their boat flying up into the air…where it becomes lodged in the top of a tree, on a small remote island. How will they ever get back down? Once again, the pair needs to be rescued…and once again, the rescue team is sure to surprise you!
The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown
- The little island in this beautiful story actually reminds me of the small, remote island where Mr. Magee finds himself stuck in a tree. A tiny island in the middle of the great big ocean. A small space on our planet, where many different creatures call home. It just goes to show that even when we are small…we can still play an instrumental role in the world!
Pete the Cat Goes Camping by James Dean
- On his very first camping trip, Pete’s brother, Bob, tells Pete all about the legend of Bigfoot (in typical older-sibling fashion). Pete is obviously left with lots of questions, and his parents tell him not to worry. In fact, Pete’s dad predicts that Bigfoot is nice, and that he may even like eating s’mores! Before he goes to bed, Pete decides to make one extra s’more for the hairy giant. When he wakes up in the morning…the delicious treat has disappeared! Perhaps Bigfoot really does exist…and maybe he’s not as scary and different as we’ve all come to think. 🙂
Pete the Cat: Scuba-Cat by James Dean
- Why read only one Pete the Cat book, when you can read two? Pete is a fan-favorite with our little nugget, so when I found two summer-themed stories, I obviously had to grab them both. Pete is super excited to go scuba diving! And he’s really hoping to spot a seahorse. When he dives in, he discovers numerous sea creatures (swordfish, stingrays, crabs, eels, jellyfish, and even a giant whale)…but no seahorse. As he prepares to climb back up onto the boat, he feels a tickle on his tail. Is it a shark? A sea turtle? Or is it the sea creature that he searched for all day?
Bringing the Outside In by Mary McKenna Siddals
- This cheerful poem reminds us all to get outside and enjoy the wonders that each season brings! From stomping in muddy puddles and collecting seashells at the beach, to leaping in leaf piles and creating angels in the snow. “Treasures collected, Pictures in heaps, Stories remembered, Memories for keeps!”
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
- This beautifully-illustrated book captures all the best parts of summer: flip-flops, lemonade stands, bike riding, playing hide-and-seek at dusk, fishing, swimming, camping, and road trips – just to name a few! And let’s not forget the all-important visits from the local ice cream truck! Isn’t summer just the best?
Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion
- When a giant wave covers Harry (the dog) with seaweed…it sends beach-goers into a frenzy. People leap out of the water to escape the green sea monster. They run down the beach to get away from the slithery sea serpent. And two beach attendants attempt to catch the bushy-baked sea slug, so that they can take it to the local aquarium. Meanwhile, Harry is busy trying to locate his family…and he’s actually feeling pretty cool underneath all of that seaweed (it sure beats running around beneath the blazing hot sun). When the seaweed finally falls from Harry’s body, everyone on the beach is amazed. Once the shock wears off, Harry is treated to a delicious hamburger and a nice cold beverage. But nothing makes him happier than being reunited with his family!
Lucy Ladybug by Sharon King-Chai
- Lucy Ladybug has no spots, and the other ladybugs are making her feel pretty awful about it. She’s not welcome to hangout with them, just because she looks different. So, Lucy wanders off – feeling very sad and lonely. That is until she meets Fred Frog, who reminds Lucy of her beauty, and happily shares one of his smooth green spots. The same thing happens when Lucy meets Carla Caterpillar, Felicity Fish, and Bella Bird. When Lucy’s adventure is complete, she has four new spots…and she finally feels like a ladybug!
Sun by Sam Usher
- If you caught our favorite winter books, and our favorite spring books, then you already know that we are thoroughly enjoying Sam Usher’s Seasons with Granddad book series. In this summer installment, Sam and his Granddad set out for the perfect picnic. They stop to rest on several occasions (to do some bird-watching, picture-taking, and navigating). When they finally find their perfect picnic spot…it’s already taken. But it’s important to remember that some of the most epic adventures take place when we toss up our hands and say goodbye to our plans.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: Things About Me by Jenny Slate & Dean Fleischer-Camp
- Marcel the Shell is a clever little character…and one that our daughter has completely fallen in love with. This little shoe-wearing shell loves to visit the aquarium, is terrified of the salad spinner, enjoys movies with his grandmother, and wants a dog more than anything else in the world. Do you want to know our favorite thing about him? He sleeps between two slices of bread…which he calls his breadroom! 🙂

Nothing beats a good book and a cozy chair on a hot summer afternoon! After our long days spent at the pool, or outside running through the sprinkler…our favorite thing to do is kick back and relax with a stack of our favorite books!