We have a six year old, two and a half year old and seven month old. This month we like to stay festive and embrace our warm weather activities. In order to savor our summer and time in the sand - here is what's on our bookshelf this month:

July Holidays

  • America the Beautiful by Cholena Rose Dare embraces all things americana themed! Its a great resource book for learning more facts about the United States of America as well as learning more about the elements that have laid the foundation for what we celebrate on Independence Day! 
  • Natasha Wing's The Night Before the 4th of July does a great job at setting expectations for our youngest kids on what to expect on the holiday. It does a great job walking through the traditional barbeque, fireworks and summer gatherings that embody the holiday. 
  • Shine-A-Light Wonders of the USA by Carron Brown & Bee Johnson does a beautiful job of education on many of the beautiful and wondrous places around the United States of America in an interactive way. What kid doesn't love a flashlight? Now combine it with a book and you have magic! This book does a great job holding their attention leaving my kids filled with fun facts for days! 

Beach and Ocean Themes

Toddler Picks

  1. DK Pop-Up Peekaboo! Under the Sea is a three dimensional book that brings our beloved toddler game of peekaboo to life in a way that all of our toddlers have loved. Each page features a sea related object or animal. We try to keep this book on one of the upper shelves as the pop-outs are easily torn.
  2. Usborne Sound Books Seashore Sounds interactive board book brings the sounds of the ocean and beach to life with easy buttons for kids to press on each page. The pages are filled with beautiful illustrations that are fun to turn into a look and find adventure while reading! This also serves as a fun introduction to many of the unique animals like seagulls and puffins!
  3. 1, 2, 3 ... By the Sea by Dianne Moritz brings the basics of counting to life in a rhyming festive summer spirit as we get to join along on a beach filled day! It's a natural counting practice book but on theme for our summer mindset!

Early Readers

  • Billy and the Mini Monsters Monsters at the Beach by Zanna Davidson is a brightly illustrated beginner chapter book. The bright colored pages and adventure filled story line makes it a fun grab for summer.
  • Magic Treehouse The Graphic Novel Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osbone & Jenny Laird takes what I believe to be the classic magic treehouse books but turns it into a graphic novel. Its fun illustrations and Jack and Annie's adventures also make for a great summer read!
  • National Geographic Kids At the Beach by Shira Evans combines beautiful photography with simple one sentence pages making it a low states easy read for summer. It's a great quick read and fun way to see some of the sights all the way from the midwest! 

Whole Family Favorites

  • Curious George Goes Swimming by Margret & H.A. Rey's takes our fun loving monkey to the community pool! George has fun at the pool with his friend Lucy and in the process helps her overcome her fears!
  • Curious George Goes to the Beach by Margret & H.A. Rey's takes George on his next adventure to enjoy a picnic at the beach - or at least that was the plan. When things go different than planned friends help each other to still have a memorable day together!
  • How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton takes a sea themed spin to the "How to Catch" series. Our adventure lovers and mermaid lovers alike both enjoy this fun read!
  • Angelina Ballerina by the Sea by Katharine Holabird & Helen Craig highlights the family's fun day preparing and enjoying the day at the beach. The book highlights friendship dynamics and how to help each other!
  • Fancy Nancy Sand Castles and Sand Palaces by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser brings the beloved Disney Jr. show to book form. The book highlights the fun things to do at the beach and the hard lessons of the changing tide in a positive upbeat way. 
  • Usborne Lift and Look Under the Sea highlights our marine animals with many lift a flaps on each page - a must if reading with multiple kids! Plenty of interactions for all! The illustrations are very realistic and a fun quick read.
  • Shine-A-Light Secrets of the Seashore by Carron Brown & Alyssa Nassner brings fun facts about our lovable marine life in an interactive format. All of our kids love flashlights, so reading these books is always an easy win.