Today I’m going to share some of our favorite summer reads for kids that we have devoured this year. Summer isn’t really over yet, but school has started. So, I’m just going to go ahead with this list. If you see any you want to be on your child’s summer reads… well, it IS still summer, after all 😉

All Our Summer Reads

We have read 290 kids books since May. It kind of shocked me, and made me glad that I started keeping a booklist for the kids. It also doesn’t account for the many books that we read, and reread, and reread. For this list, I picked books that a) I clearly remember because b) they were enjoyed by all of us. So, without further ado, here we go!

Disclosure: All links to Amazon are my affiliate links. All that means is that I may earn money for any traffic to Amazon through my site–it in no way affects the price you pay. Each book cover image will take you straight to it’s page on Amazon. It’s handy 🙂 Thanks for your support!

Nonfiction Summer Reads

Here are three of our non fiction favorite summer reads.
#4. This is a Ball by Beck and Matt Stanton

This one should possibly be in the fiction list, but it seemed like such a great experiment with logic that it won a place in the nonfiction list. This book is so much fun to read with kids, and it is all about getting kids to pick out the differences and find faulty logic in statements. E.g. “It has four feet and a tail; it is a dog.”

#3. It’s Disgusting and We Ate It! by James Solheim
This is a really fun one that is great for history, geography, and challenging your picky eaters. Somehow broccoli doesn’t sound so bad after reading about the many ways that people eat insects around the world.

#2. If… A Mind Bending New Way of Looking at Big Numbers and Ideas by David J. Smith

Breaking up challenging numbers that are just to big to grasp entirely, this book relates those big numbers to large numbers of smaller, more relevant things. It is really interesting, and puts some perspective to some of the vast numbers we see within the universe.

#1. Rivers of Sunlight: How the Sun Moves Water Around the Earth

This book demystifies the water cycle. With beautiful illustrations and language even small children can understand, it’s a great first look at weather cycles.

Fictional Summer Reads

This was definitely the summer of a few different series for us. We have absolutely LOVED the Frances series and the Five Little Monkeys by Eileen Christelow, but since I’ve already mentioned those in a few other posts (here, for example) we’ll just move on today.

#5. One Small Blue Bead by Byrd Baylor

The language in this book is just beautiful. It’s reminiscent of the epic poem in style, and a wonderful book to read aloud.

#4. One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey

McCloskey’s classic books are a joy to read, and also to look at. The illustrations are completely charming, especially if you’re mildly obsessed with vintage-looking books and things.

#3. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

I’ve heard this book recommended so often, it probably is a surprise to no-one, but it is just as lovely as everybody says. I love the message too: Find a way, in your life, to make earth a more beautiful place.

#2. The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House by Eric Litwin

The Nuts books are a riot to read through, for kids and adults alike. Very funny to kids, but with that element of truth that tends to crack adults (okay, me…) up.

#1. Three Scoops and a Fig by Sara Laux Akin

This was a delightful story about a little Italian girl who wants to find a role in the family restaurant. It is a sweet story, all around! The little girl was names Sofia, so my Sophia, of course, was especially drawn to this story.

Those were our favorite summer reads for kids this year. What were yours?

Let us know! We love to talk books and get new recommendations!