13 Summer-Perfect Picture Books

Keep kids reading all summer with our Summer Book Fair

It's summer—the most wonderful and magical time of the year! But it can be a challenge to keep busy young minds and bodies occupied. Keep your kids engaged this summer with plenty of quality reading material!

At our Summer Book Fair, buy 4+ Kids' Book Deals items and get them for $2.99 each with promo code KIDSARECOOL. Just look for the red DEAL tag to find eligible titles (full details here). Here are thirteen summer-perfect picture books to get you started.

I Am Invited to a Party!: An Elephant and Piggie Book 

Piggie doesn't know what to wear to her first party, so she asks her best friend Elephant for help. Kids will relate to the difficulties of knowing how to dress for a special event in this humorous Elephant & Piggie tale by Mo Willems.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas

From Tomie dePaola's Legends series comes this beautiful retelling of a Comanche legend about a courageous little girl, who sacrifices her most beloved possession to end the drought that threatens her tribe's survival.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

Using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, author Carol McCloud illustrates that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but we also fill our own bucket.

Aesop's Fables 

Although they were penned two thousand years ago and first published in English in 1484, Aesop's clever fables featuring charming animal characters still entertain and impart important life lessons.

Bunny Cakes

The Max and Ruby series by Rosemary Wells is a great one for siblings who are learning how to get along. In this sweet, funny story, the bunny pair must agree on what kind of cake to bake for Grandma's birthday.

Peppa Pig Goes Swimming 

Peppa and her little brother George are going swimming, but George is a bit scared. Can Peppa help Mummy and Daddy convince him to get in the pool? Neville Astley is the author of this series about a lovable, slightly bossy little piggy.

Biscuit Finds a Friend 

In this sweet story from the Biscuit series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, everyone's favorite puppy meets an adorable lost duckling. Perfect for developing readers, this book offers lifelong wisdom about finding friends.

Dear Juno

Juno's grandmother writes in Korean and Juno writes in drawings, but that doesn't mean they can't exchange letters. This award-winning tale by Soyung Pak invites young readers to imagine other cultures and far-off lands.

Tummy Girl

From Roseanne Thong comes this adorable "album" of early childhood. From wobbly first steps to romping in the rain, this vibrant book captures the precious early years of a child's life and a parent's wish for her bright future.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

With its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, Laura Joffe Numeroff's playful series about opportunistic visiting animals is perfect for beginning readers and story time. Sure to inspire giggles and requests to "read it again!"

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 

Countless children—and their parents—can joyfully recite the familiar words of this beloved alphabet chant. Bill Martin, Jr., and John Archambault's rhythmic text keeps the beat with Caldecott winner Lois Ehlert's bold, cheerful art.

Stellaluna 

In Janell Cannon's classic, a young fruit bat is knocked from her mother's safe embrace by an attacking owl and her world is literally turned upside down. Landing in a bird's nest, Stellaluna must adapt to their peculiar bird habits.

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late

Bedtime can be a particular challenge during the summer months when daylight lingers. This hilarious bedtime book, part of the Pigeon series by Mo Willems, may help bring a little levity to the struggle. 

This is just a little taste of what we have in store at our Summer Book Fair. Check it out and stock up for all the young readers in your life. 

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon