It’s not too late to get your child caught up with summer reading. Whether you’re taking an end-of-summer family vacation or just spending a heat wave day indoors, transition the kids back into school mode slowly with a fun and educational read. Here’s a selection of books that we recommend reading before heading back to class this fall.
0-2 years
Away We Go! by Chieu Anh Urban
This shape-and-seek book is full of colorful modes of transportation. Geometric shapes come together to become full-on vehicles, and die-cuts allow children to identify shapes on every page. Perfect for the youngest New York readers as they learn to identify the different types of vehicles they see on the city streets.
Checkers and Dot at the Beach by J. Torres
Illustrated completely in black and white, this rhyming story follows two children as they spend a day at the beach with their pets. The simple patterned board book details their encounters with various sea animals, counting the creatures along the way. An excellent read to get the city kids excited for a day at the beach.
2-5 years
Penguins in Paradise: A Flap Book About Colors by Claudine Gevry
In this interactive storybook, readers will learn about ten colors while lifting flaps to follow the tale of polar animals on a beach vacation. Penguins, polar bears, and seals are among the friendly characters that kids will meet as they encounter basic colors in a summery setting.
Ribbit! written by Rodrigo Folgueira, illustrated by Poly Bernatene
A funny tale about a small pig who finds himself in the middle of a pond of frogs, Ribbit! is a book about friendship and fitting in. With whimsical illustrations and a happy moral to the story, kids can get excited to meet new friends at camp or when they head back to school in the fall .
5-7 years
If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano
This picture book about patience allows readers to embrace their imaginations while exploring the beauty of nature. Colorful yet simple illustrations depict a young boy and his dog on their journey to see a whale. This story will captivate young readers as they daydream about a summer day at the beach.
Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach by James Dean
This My First I Can Read! book follows fan-favorite Pete the Cat as he tries to overcome his fear of the ocean during a family beach trip. A relatable tale that will engage readers, this story is perfect for a child who is learning to swim or is currently scared of the water. It may even encourage him or her to warm up to the idea of swimming—just in time for summer.
7-10 years
Justin Case: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom by Rachel Vail, Matthew Cordell
Justin is a cautious kid trying to make it through the summer before fourth grade in this chapter book for young readers. The story details his struggle to deal with day camp experiences that he finds stressful…but everyone else seems to enjoy.New York Citykids who are heading off to camp this summer can appreciate this tale of an anxious boy who is just trying to learn how to fit in.
Kelsey Green, Reading Queen (Franklin School Friends) by Claudia Mills
This book makes reading seem cooler than ever as it follows the antics of its main character Kelsey, one of the top readers in the third grade. Kelsey’s determination to win a school-wide contest is sure to inspire readers to pick up a few more books this summer.
10+ years
Twerp by Mark Goldblatt
After making a deal with his English teacher to get out of writing a paper, 12-year-old Julian must keep a journal and reveal why he was suspended from school after a bullying situation. Exploring guilt and other emotions, this novel has some local appeal as it takes place inQueens.
Theodore Boone: The Activist (Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer Series) by John Grisham
In the fourth installment of the Theodore Boone series, the kid lawyer is in the middle of his biggest case to date. From political corruption to environmental issues, The Activist tackles real-life problems as it encourages kids to stand up for doing what’s right.
