Summertime Picture Books

A summer day ends and they come pool-tired, sun-kissed, pajamed, and wet-headed to the couch for books. These are a few of our favorite, ready-for-bed reads that carry the scent of summer.

Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
Will and my favorite. Set at a coastal summer house in Maine. The art and language is just dreamy.

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Another McCloskey favorite. We love all his books.


The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
This book is so loveable and fun.


The Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks
I'm not sure why this book seems summer-y to me. The cat is trying to make it back to her home on the coast. I could look at the art in this book (by Georg Hallensleben) all day! And If the Moon Could Talk is another beautiful book by Banks/Hallensleben that we all love.


Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Edward Ardizzone
The boys (and I) love all the Tim books.


The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow
Someone always seems to add this one to the bag at the library.


The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
A sweet story told through letters written home.
The Library is another Sarah Stewart favorite of ours.


Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran
Truly a book for all seasons of outdoor, imaginative play.
I love the ideas this book generates.

Good summertime chapter books are for another post, but I'll mention just one.

Hannah and I loved reading The Penderwicks together last summer. And, like the summer, we didn't want it to end. We went into the fall with The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, which is a fun back to school/autumn read.