Favorite Picks for Summer Storytimes

~post by Children’s Book Buyer Meghan G.

We love summer, and we love books here at BookPeople. We have a great summer reading program currently going on for kids from kindergarten through 8th grade. But what about those tiniest book fans? Here are some our favorite picks for summer storytimes.

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Watermelon is the perfect summer food. It’s juicy and delicious and such a pretty color. If only it didn’t have seeds. This baby crocodile simply can’t get enough refreshingly pink goodness until he swallows something terrifying: A SEED! What’s a baby crocodile to do but envision all the dreadfully painful consequences to come!

Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler

Who wouldn’t love accompanying these super adorable pigs as they confront one of the world’s greatest wonders and scariest natural forces for the very first time? After all, anyone who’s spent time at the beach knows that despite all its “lurking, murky ickiness,” the ocean can also offer up a whole lot of summertime fun.

Hopper and Wilson by Maria Van Lieshout

Stories about fast friends seeking great adventure on the high seas never go out of style. And these two chums face a doozy of a predicament when one of them falls over the edge of their delightfully impractical newspaper boat in the middle of a terrible storm. But you will have to read this sweetly illustrated tale for yourself to find out if the power of friendship can ultimately save the day!

Me… Jane by Patrick McDonnell

When Jane Goodall was just a girl, the only chimpanzee she knew was her stuffed companion Jubilee. And, together, they explored the wonders of the world around them. With utter simplicity, McDonnell’s sweet introduction to one of our best-loved modern heroes joyfully celebrates the sense of wonder and limitless possibility that has always seemed to characterize Jane Goodall’s view of the world. This is the perfect summer handbook for intrepid young adventurers.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague

You just can’t top this tallest of vacation tall tales. This is the story of young Wallace Bleff and his tense adventures roping, riding, and generally facing down danger at every turn after he is kidnapped by cowboys and forced to spend a wild summer on the range… according to Wallace, of course.

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

We think one of the greatest things about summer is kicking off our shoes and walking outside without worrying so much about getting dirty. And who better to celebrate the glories of griminess with than a certain mess-prone dog we all know and (begrudgingly) love?