Happy almost Summer to all! This post is a gathering of fun and fascinating picture books we’ve featured on the Book Birthday blog. Five titles for each month but feel free to switch them up. And if you’re curious about the back stories of these books click on the titles to learn more.
June Reads
PROMISE PETS by NYT Bestselling author Stacia Deutsch. Adopt-a-Pet Day is just around the corner on June 6th, when adoption fees will be waived at many shelters across California to help ease overcrowding. Stacia’s book is the perfect read for those wishing they could have a pet, and the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.
SHARKS UNHOOKED The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger by Sibert Honor author Patricia Newman, illus. Becca Hall /Millbrook. This book will change your opinion of sharks, as you learn about their champion Cristina Zenato. Sharks are the GOOD guys — and conservationists at that! Perfect to read on June 8th, World Oceans Day.
JUNETEENTH IS by Natasha Tripplett, Illus, Daniel J. O’Brien /Chronicle celebrates the history and significance of Juneteenth, June 19th. Learn about the yummy food and the wonderful ways families and communities come together on this day.
PAPA AND PEARL: A Tale About Divorce, New Beginnings, and Love That Never Changes by Annette M. Clayton, illus. Kimberley Barnes / Free Spirit Publishing. June 21st, Father’s Day, can be a rough time for many young readers, if parents are no longer together. This is a sweet story of the love between father and daughter that stays constant, even through big changes.
JACOB’S MISSING BOOK and all of the Jacob books by Sarah & Ian Hoffman, illus. Chris Case / Imagination Press. These books are a wonderful way to celebrate Pride Month, as well as appreciate our freedom to READ. Speaking of freedom…
July Reads
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! by Roxanne Troup, Illus. Jennifer Doehring /Albert Whitman. Discover the reason behind all of the fun and festivities of the Fourth of July: Freedom. Troup’s book reminds everyone why the United States was founded two hundred and fifty years ago!
BIG BOY No. 4019 and the Steam Team: The World’s Largest Steam Engine Roars Back to Life! by Marsha Diane Arnold, illus.Adam Gustavson /Sleeping Bear Press. Union Pacific’s legendary steam locomotive, Big Boy No. 4014, is touring the East Coast this summer to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Find out how it was restored and brought back to life!
ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES by Lauren Kerstein, illus. Nate Wragg / Two Lions, is an annual favorite for Summer Reading. Kerstein’s book will make a splash with young readers as Rosie and Charlie blow bubbles, practice flutter kicks, and learn the rules at the pool.
GOATS AFLOAT by Lezlie Evans, illus. Julia Patton / Two Lions. Speaking of making a splash, five silly goats want to take their Granny Goat a birthday present. To avoid the troll that lives beneath the bridge, the goats decide to get to Granny’s by canoe down the river. Hmmm… what could go wrong?
THE EVERYTHING TRAIL by Meg Fleming, illus. Chuck Groenink / Beach Lane Books. Whether you’ve been hiking this summer — or plan or WISH to be on a trail soon — this sweet book will be everything you need to remember those moments or make new ones.
August Reads
K IS FOR KINDERGARTEN by Erin Dealey, illus. Joseph Cowman / Sleeping Bear. Here comes kindergarten! If your young readers can’t wait to start Kindergarten, this book is full of Kinder Countdown activities to help them pass the time. And as they make their way through the school year, there are Kinder Challenges on each spread as well, with silly rhymes and fun from A to Z.
GET READY FOR SCHOOL by Janet Nolan, illus. Maria Neradova / Albert Whitman. The custodian turns on the lights and sweeps the hallways. Is it time for school? Not yet! The cafeteria workers wash tables and stack lunch trays. Is it time for school? Not yet! Teachers unpack supplies and organize their classrooms. Is it time for school? Almost! The students are on their way, on foot, on bicycles, and in cars and buses. Each page brings the reader one-step closer to the principal opening the door. Welcome, everyone!
THE FIRST NIGHT OF HOWLERGARTEN written & illustrated by Benson Shum /Penguin Workshop. Even werewolves get the first-day jitters the night before school starts. Readers of all ages will relate to Sophie and her feelings of being nervous and anxious.
SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS by Erin Dealey, illus. Luciana Navarro Powell / Beaming Books. Did someone say jitters? Whether it’s the first day of school, or throughout the year, everyone experiences BIG Feelings, like Squirrel, Porcupine, and Bear Cub. But you don’t have to get stuck there. Maybe your young readers are like Squirrel. He discovers art is his happy place when bucket of chalk helps him –and Porcupine and Bear Cub– draw their feelings and make friends too!
PS There are so many more great books on my blog. Please check them all out.
And if you have a favorite summer read that we haven’t mentioned, please add it in the comments below.
Above all –> Happy Reading to all –all summer long!
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