Summer Reads for Kids

I love to read and have hundreds of books in my home featuring a plethora of interesting subjects. I also have a small library of delightful kids books for little family members that enjoy reading a story or three. Keeping kids interested in reading during the summer though can be challenging. There are so many fun activities outside that grab their undivided attention, that books and reading are almost completely off their fun radar.

Adding a big pile of new colorful and interactive summer reads to your library is going to pique kid’s interest and capture their attention. I put a big bunch of new books on my coffee table and surprising, it generated lots of interest and in no time two little kiddos were sitting quietly perusing and reading the books. Success! Here are a few books you may want to consider adding to your kid’s library.

Good Morning Neighbor

Good Morning Neighbor is about a darling little mouse who has a hankering for an omelet, but he doesn’t have any eggs. His neighbor blackbird didn’t have any eggs either, but he did have flour that would be great to make a cake. As the mouse and the blackbird continue on this quest for an egg, they gather more ingredients and neighbors joining this delicious quest. The dormouse has butter, the mole has sugar, the hedgehog has apples, the raccoon has cinnamon, the lizard has raisins, and finally the bat has an egg. Now all they need is an oven. Owl has an oven, but now there is a big issue on how many pieces to divide the cake into. This book offers a cute storyline, colorful images, and a lesson on sharing.

The Other Dog

Pets are very important family members in our home, so we completely relate to The Other Dog story. It was physically written by A Twinkle in Time author Madeleine L’Engle, but narrated by her first dog Touché. He is completely used to getting all the attention and being the precious be-all, but then a baby comes along, or as Touché calls it, the other dog. The story shares how bringing a new baby home effects Touché – he’s the best dog ever, so why another dog?

The charming illustrations say it all, but the words are filled with emotions. With all his amazing and amusing talents and super cuteness, he’s perplexed why his owners would bring home ‘another dog.’ Then there are the ‘how-comes’. The baby gets a carriage, but he has to walk in the rain. But, despite his concern, Touché is still very much loved and part of a bigger family. The book is entertaining, humorous, and quite realistic.

The Colorful World of Dinosaurs

I think every home has at least one child who is mesmerized and infatuated with dinosaurs. I know one little guy that knows dinosaurs by name and appearance and all about the Mesozoic era. The Colorful World of Dinosaurs features 46 dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Each dinosaur is illustrated with vivid watercolors along with its dimensions, the kind of diet they eat, behaviors, habits, and some interesting facts about them. Did you know that the Stegosaurus is a 30-foot herbivore? With their shield plates and tail spikes, they could easily protect themselves. There were lots of dinosaurs we never even heard of, so we enjoyed the education. This engaging book will captivate dinosaur fans, young and old.

Time for Bed, Miyuki

We all know how much kids resist bedtime. They think of umpteen things that they need or have to do just before bedtime. Kids can get quite creative, just like the little girl in Time for Bed, Miyuki. Miyuki’s grandfather is trying to get her to fall asleep, but she is trying to push the time back because she’s not ready to go to bed. But, she makes excuse after excuse why she cannot go to sleep right now to her grandfather. She must prepare for the Dragonfly Queen, water her vegetables, gather her snails, cover her cat with a warm blanket, and the list goes on. But her grandfather is loving and patient and follows along until Miyuki falls asleep. Sweet illustrations and a charming storyline make this book enchanting.

All these books are excellent options for kids and parents looking for some summer reads. They offer interesting subjects and are packed with information that will allow imaginations to soar.

Disclaimer: I received product to facilitate a review. All opinions express are my own, yours may differ.