Summer reading: Over the years, we’ve asked local booksellers and our book reviewer at Seattle’s Child — folks who live and breathe children’s literature — about their top picks for keeping kids engaged with reading all summer long. Some of the books they have recommended are new, some have been around a while, and all are guaranteed to delight. This list just keeps growing!
Summer reading ages 0 to 2
Peek-a WHO?
By Nina Laden
For more than two decades, this little board book by a Washington author and illustrator has been delighting little ones and parents alike, becoming a staple for baby showers and first libraries. Simple rhyming text and peek-a-boo cutouts take the most loved baby and toddler game and puts it in children’s book form, with a surprise ending.
— Cheryl Murfin, Seattle’s Child Book Corner
Goodnight World: Animals of the Native Northwest
Illustrated by First Nations and Native Artists
This delightful book features bright drawings of Pacific Northwest wildlife by Native American artists. It encourages curiosity about the sleeping habits of local wildlife, and helps ease young children into their own nighttime routine. Bonus: partial proceeds support aboriginal early childhood development.
— Justus Joseph, Elliott Bay Book Company
I love music
by Marion Billet
The reader presses a button on the different instruments and a short tune plays. It’s a fun introduction to instruments, and it enforces the idea of engaging with the page. It has an on-and-off switch to boot!
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
Gossie
by Olivier Dunrea
When Gossie’s adorable red boots go missing one day, she looks high and low to find where they might be hiding!
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
Summer reading ages 2 to 4
House in the Woods
by Inga Moore
When two little pigs need a new place to live, they band together with Bear and Moose, and some helpful beavers, to build a home they can all enjoy.
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
An Incomplete Book of Awesome Things
by Wee Society
This is a cool board book filled with stylized pictures on each page of awesome things: Pluto, dandelions, fool’s gold, and lots more.
— René Kirkpatrick, University Book Store
Hug Me, Please!
by Przemyslaw Wechterowicz & Emilia Dziubak
This is a sweet and simple story about spreading joy that will put a smile on your face. I particularly love that a father bear and his son bring the hugs around — a great example of gentle giants!
— Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Co.
Round
by Joyce Sidman & Taeeun Yoo
I wish every shape in the world could have a book as compelling and lyrical as Round, which manages to be poetic, instructive, joyful and magical. I recommend it most for this age group because there are a few fantastic pages at the back about roundness in nature that could inspire conversations during summer nature walks.
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
Summer reading ages 4 to 6
The Tea Party in the Woods
by Akiko Miyakoshi
Beautiful illustrations follow Kikko, walking through the woods to bring a pie to her grandmother, and coming upon a charming collection of animals taking tea.
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
Goldfish Ghost
by Lemony Snicket & Lisa Brown
This is one of my favorite picture books of the year. Coming from Lemony Snicket (author of the Series of Unfortunate Events series), it’s as strange as you’d imagine. Goldfish Ghost rises out of his bowl and floats around town, looking for someone interesting to talk to. Parents may have to explain what a ghost is, but it’ll be worth it to share this book.
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
Van Dog
by
Van Dog rides their bike to the park one morning to paint with an easel and art supplies. What should be a calm, quiet day turns into the opposite when talkative creatures emerge. Each page is chaotic and colorful, and worms, ants, frogs and other animals lie hidden in the flora, waiting to be found by observant readers. This is the perfect picture book for those who like to get lost in the details of intricate illustrations.
— Rekha Kuver, Seattle’s Child Book Corner
Little Fox in the Forest
by Stephanie Graegin
An absolutely wonderful, wordless picture book, in which a young fox makes off with a little girl’s stuffed fox. With the help of a friend, the little girl finds her way into the woods — populated by all sorts of woodland creatures — and tracks down her beloved toy.
— Georgiana Blomberg, Magnolia’s Bookstore
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
by Chelsea Clinton & Alexandra Boiger
This uplifting picture book works well for a variety of situations: as a “grow-into” title for baby showers, an inspiration for the little people in your life, and even as a pick-me-up for adults who might need it.
— Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Co.
Strictly No Elephants
by Lisa Mantchev & Taeeun Yoo
It starts with “The trouble with having a tiny elephant for a pet is that you never quite fit in” and ends with “Because that’s what friends do: never leave anyone behind.” The story in between shows there’s more than one way to make friends. On a side note, Lisa Mantchev will launch her newest picture book, Sister Day!, at Ballard’s Secret Garden Books on June 17.
— Christy McDanold, Secret Garden Books
Group Hug
by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Joey Chou
A slug travels along a leaf in search of someone to hug in Reidy’s cheerful picture book. Along comes a lonely beetle, and then a grumpy mouse, and the slug offers each a warm embrace. Along the way, others join the hug. This sweet story is punctuated with funny rhymes and cute characters, and its simple descriptions of emotions will help kids learn about feelings and how to talk about them.
— Rekha Kuver, Seattle’s Child Book Corner
Summer reading ages 6 to 8
See the Cat
by David LaRochelle
Absolutely hilarious early chapter book about a dog who accidentally stars in three stories about a cat.
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
Curious Kids Nature Journal: 100 Ways to Explore the Outdoor Wonders of the Pacific Northwest
by Fiona Cohen, illustrated by Marni Fylling
This beautiful book by a Seattle author will only keep them reading, but writing and deeply observing the world around them. The journal is a colorful, interactive guide that affirms the Pacific Northwest as a world of wonder and wondrous detail when it comes to the great outdoors. Between these pages is the perfect place for kids ages 6-11 to document what they see and learn in nature, whether at a park near home, in a forest, or along a beach.
— Cheryl Murfin, Seattle’s Child Book Corner
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
by Drew Daywalt & Adam Rex
This book is a perfect read-aloud for older children (preferably done in a monster-truck-show voice). Neither Rock nor Paper nor Scissors has ever lost a battle. Hoisting up their battle pants, they each set out to find the one who will finally defeat them.
— René Kirkpatrick, University Book Store
Snail and Worm
by Tina Kugler
Three warm and funny stories (even for grown-ups) about two friends named Snail and Worm that’s ideal for the pre-Frog and Toad set.
— René Kirkpatrick, University Book Store
Summer reading ages 8 to 10
Alcatraz vs The Evil Librarians
by Brandon Sanderson
Starring a sarcastic and witty foster teen who learns he’s from a long line of adventurers who fight against the knowledge withholding evil librarians, it has adventure and magic galore.
— Lillian Welch, Island Books
A Boy Called Bat
by Elana K. Arnold
Bat got his nickname from his initials (Bixby Alexander Tam), his sensitivity to noise, and the way he sometimes flaps his hands when he gets excited. Readers can infer that Bat is on the autism spectrum, but the empathetic narration shows that we can all relate. Animal lovers and kids who like realistic stories will love this book. Although the story is emotionally rich and the author uses some fantastic vocabulary, the font is comfortably large, and there are charming illustrations throughout, so it should appeal to a range of readers and listeners.
— Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Co.
Galloping Gertie
by Amanda Abler, illustrated by Levi Hastings.
Set in Washington! This nonfiction picture book doesn’t just tell the story of how the Tacoma Narrow Bridge was built and then collapsed, it shows how. Pictures illustrating the science behind the collapse are sure to fascinate budding engineers.
— Jenna Vandenberg, Seattle’s Child Book Corner
Fish Girl
by Donna Jo Napoli & David Wiesner
A fairy-tale graphic novel with wonderful illustrations, this book is about a mermaid who appears in a boardwalk attraction. When she befriends a human girl, she begins longing for freedom, and with the help of an octopus, makes her escape.
— Georgiana Blomberg, Magnolia’s Bookstore
Summer reading ages 10+
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
by Kelly Barnhill
A tiny dragon who is convinced he is Absolutely Ginormous, a swamp monster, and an old witch take in a baby girl who turns out to be more than they bargained for — 2017 Newbery winner.
The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place
by Julie Berry
In the long tradition of boarding-school stories comes this one, deliciously populated by a requisite horrid and greedy headmistress and seven plucky young women tasked with solving a murder and gaining their deserved independence. Quite a romp!
— Christy McDanold, Secret Garden Books
The Dire King
by William Ritter
The fourth (and final!) book of the incredible Jackaby series comes out in August, which means kids have just enough time to feast on the first three books in this highly imaginative, smart and lively series. Together with his intrepid colleague Abigail Rook, R.F. Jackaby solves preternatural mysteries in 19th-century New England.
— Holly Myers, Elliott Bay Book Company
The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming
by J. Anderson Coats.
This historical fiction follows Jane as she leaves the Civil War-torn eastern side of the United States and comes to Washington Territory. Jane arrives via Mr. Mercer’s ship of widows (including her stepmother) who are expected to marry the men residing in the muddy frontier town of Seattle. Too young to marry and unsure of her place in her family, Jane eventually finds belonging in Seattle and the isolated cabins of Bellevue.
— Jenna Vandenberg, Seattle’s Child Book Corner
*Seattle’s Child staff contributed to this article, which we add to every year
More summer reading at Seattle’s Child:
13 Seattle Children’s Book Authors Share What They’re Reading and Tips for Young Writers
Book Corner: 4 great kids’ books about strong, smart, brave women
Emily’s Book Picks: ‘Goodnight, Veggies’ is a wonderful bedtime story
