Summertime is filled with fun, adventure, and lots of time for learning! And what better way to add excitement and education to your child’s vacation than with stories about summer? From picture books and short stories to read alongs and funny tales, books about summer are perfect for the beach, road trips, or relaxing at home.
In this article, we’ll share our favorite stories about summer - for the ultimate summer reading list for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students. Plus, our educators will discuss why summer reading is essential and what to look for in a good summer reading book.
Ready to discover a list of the most fun and educational stories about summer? Let’s go!
Why is summer reading so important for kids' success?
If you’re wondering, “Should kids read in the summer?” the answer is - YES! In fact, summer reading is essential to a child’s future achievements. But why is summer reading so important for kids’ success?
Summer reading and stories about summer help children maintain and improve their reading skills by promoting print concepts, reading comprehension, and more. In addition, summer reading offers numerous benefits that go beyond academics, including social-emotional development.
Learn more about the importance of summer reading here - Benefits of Summer Reading for Kids.
A good summer reading goal for kids is 20 minutes of reading per day (or 140 minutes per week) or more.
What is a good summer reading book for kids?
A good summer reading book for kids is both fun and educational. Some of the best stories about summer and other summer reading books include bright illustrations, engaging storylines, and a focus on educational elements, such as vocabulary, world knowledge, phonics rules, etc.
What makes a good children’s book in general? Learn more about what qualities to look for in a good book for kids here - Characteristics of a Good Story.
Now that you know what to look for in books about summer, let’s explore some of the best summer books for kids.
The 14 Best Stories About Summer for Kids
Below is a collection of the best kids books for summer. This summer reading list includes books and topics for children of all ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students.
To make the list easier to navigate, we’ve organized it into categories, including picture books, short stories, read along books for kids, funny stories, and stories about summer vacation.
Combine books from various categories and reading levels to create the ultimate summer reading list!
Picture Books About Summer
Is your child interested in picture books about summer? Here are some of the best summer books for kids!
1. Up a Tree
By Laurie Friedman
In Up a Tree, children follow a young boy determined to climb a tree. He makes his way to the top, but what he finds there sends him straight back down! What’s at the top of the tree, and will the boy safely return to the ground?
Up a Tree is one of our favorite stories about summer because it is entertaining and offers educational features.
Additional Educational Features: counting practice and rhyming words.
This summer book is suitable for ages 6 - 7.
Up a Tree is available as a read along story on the Booka reading app for kids!
2. A Day Out
By Helen Brain
A Day Out is a bright and colorful picture book about a family’s day at the beach. With very few words, this book allows children to use their imagination and fill in the blanks with their own dialogue!
This summer book for kids is suitable for ages 0+ and is one of our favorite summer books for toddlers.
3. Big Beach BBQ
By Carly Taylor
Big Beach BBQ is an exciting summer book about a classic Australian beach holiday. Full of fun characters and Aussie slang, this silly story is the perfect summer read for the whole family!
Additional Educational Features: rhyming words.
This kids book for summer is suitable for ages 5 - 7.
Big Beach BBQ is available as a read aloud book on Booka.
Short Stories About Summer
Looking for short stories about summer? Even the shortest summer stories can be educational and fun! Below are some of our favorite short children’s books about summer.
4. La Playa
By Katrina Streza and Ariana Vargas
La Playa is a decodable book written in Spanish. In this story about summer, kids follow Paco, his best friend Zita, and his dog Coco on their adventure at the beach. With funny illustrations and easy-to-read sentences, this summer story is sure to be fun and educational!
Additional Educational Features: decodable words, introduction to phonics patterns, and new vocabulary.
This summer book for kids is suitable for ages 3 - 8.
5. Summer - Nature is Awakening
By Victoria Wagner
Summer - Nature is Awakening is a summer book that explores what happens when summer comes. This story uses bright, colorful pictures to explore the summer season and the season that comes before summer!
This story about summer is suitable for ages 3+.
Summer - Nature is Awakening is available as a read aloud book on Booka.
Summer Read Aloud Books
Read aloud children’s books about summer provide many benefits for children, including enhanced vocabulary and improved attention span. Our favorite stories about summer below help promote these benefits and more.
6. Fishing in Magic Lake
By Laurie Friedman
Fishing in Magic Lake is an adventurous story full of magic and wonder! In this book, young readers follow along as a little boy and his grandma spend the day fishing on Magic Lake. As expected, they catch some fish and other creatures. But what unexpected items will they pull out of the lake? It’s magic, after all.
This summer book for kids is suitable for ages 5 - 8.
Fishing in Magic Lake is available as a read aloud book on Booka.
7. ABCs at the Beach
By Jennifer Marino Walters
ABCs at the Beach is an ABC book that takes children on an exciting adventure to the beach. There, they are challenged to find objects that start with each letter of the alphabet! What will they find on this fun-filled day?
As one of our top stories about summer, this book also includes additional educational elements.
Additional Educational Features: alphabet practice, introduction to beach activities, and new vocabulary.
This summer book is suitable for ages 4 - 8.
ABCs at the Beach is available on Booka as a read along book.
Looking for more ABC books to help teach the alphabet at home? Check out our list of the best alphabet books here - ABC Books.
Funny Stories About Summer
Looking for funny children’s books about summer? Here are some your child will love!
8. Camp Daisy
By Kim Thompson
Camp Daisy is a decodable book through which kids can explore life at camp! At Camp Daisy, there’s lots to do, see, and eat. What daily activities will the cats at Camp Daisy enjoy? And what’s on the menu?
In addition to decodable text, Camp Daisy offers several educational features that make it one of our top summer books for kids!
Additional Educational Features: high-frequency words, introduction to short and long vowels and words with the long a sound (AI), introduction to camp activities.
This summer story is suitable for ages 3 - 8.
Learn more about decodable books for kids and discover a list of the best decodable stories here - Decodable Books.
9. Fred and Ted Go Camping
By Peter Anthony Eastman
In Fred and Ted Go Camping, kids follow friends Fred and Ted on their camping adventures. Fred and Ted tend to do things in completely opposite ways, making for a hilarious and often surprising experience.
As one of the top-rated stories about summer, Fred and Ted Go Camping is funny and easy to read. This book includes simple vocabulary and illustrations that support meaning, making it both fun and educational!
This book about summer camping is suitable for ages 3 - 7.
Stories About Summer Vacation
Children’s books about summer vacation are exciting to read—especially as an introduction to summer activities your child will experience for the first time! Here are some of our favorite stories about summer vacation.
10. At the Sea: First Time on Vacation
By Alex Pie
At the Sea: First Time on Vacation explores the exciting things to see and do at the sea! This story is especially enjoyable for kids going on their first summer vacation to the ocean.
This book about summer vacation is suitable for ages 1+ and is one of the best summer books for toddlers.
My Day at the Sea: First Time on Vacation is available as a read aloud book exclusively on Booka.
11. Caillou at the Beach
Adapted by Marion Johnson
In Caillou at the Beach, kids tag along with Caillou and his family on their summer vacation adventure to the beach! Along with Caillou, children discover what awaits them at the beach, including all the fun and exciting activities and creatures.
This summer book for kids is suitable for ages 0 - 5, making it great for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.
Caillou at the Beach is available as a read aloud book on Booka.
Books About Swimming and the Ocean
Do you have a child who’s learning to swim or is afraid of the water? Kids books about swimming are a great way to introduce your child to the water—and even help them overcome their fear! Below are some of the best children's books about swimming and the ocean.
12. Facing the Wave
By Rebecca Marshallsay
Facing the Wave is an educational story about Jude's journey to overcome his fear of surfing. Jude loves the water—he can swim, snorkel, and dive—but surfing seems too scary. With the help of his family, Jude faces his fear and discovers the thrill of surfing a wave!
In addition to exploring topics of bravery and overcoming fears, this book offers educational features that make it one of the best kids stories about summer.
Additional Educational Features: alliteration, rhyming words, and new vocabulary.
This summer book is suitable for ages 3+.
13. Little Hoo Goes to the Beach
By Brenda Ponnay
In Little Hoo Goes to the Beach, kids join Little Hoo as he goes on his first adventure to the beach. But Little Hoo is scared of the ocean! There are big waves, creepy-crawly animals that pinch, slimy kelp, and sharks. Learn how Little Hoo overcomes his fears.
This story is suitable for ages 2 - 5 and is one of the best summer reads for preschoolers.
Little Hoo Goes to the Beach is available on Booka as a read along.
14. La Piscina
By Katrina Streza and Ariana Vargas
La Piscina is a decodable book designed to help kids read in Spanish. In this story, Paco and his friend, Zita, spend the day swimming in the pool. What will this fun day bring?
Additional Educational Features: decodable words, introduction to Spanish phonemes, and new vocabulary.
This summer story for kids is suitable for ages 3 - 8.
Read Stories About Summer and More on Booka!
Booka is the perfect tool for summer reading. With hundreds of stories to choose from, including children’s books about summer, spring books for kids, and more, your little ones will be entertained for hours. Best of all, rather than scrolling endlessly through social media, your kids can swipe through fun and educational stories and practice their reading skills.
Is your child participating in summer reading challenges? If so (or if you want to start a challenge at home), Booka is a must! Using the Booka reading app for kids, your child can access a vast collection of books at the touch of a button. As a result, meeting summer reading challenge goals will be a breeze.
Try Booka today for free!