We have a six year old, two and a half year old and six month old. This year our family has its first tent camping trip and one of our longer family vacation trips to visit family in the month of June. In order to build anticipation and celebration - here is what's on our bookshelf this month:

June Holidays

Flag Day

  • F is for Flag written by Wendy Cheyette Lewison is a beautiful picture book that embodies the spirit of Flag Day. The book gives an outline of the history of our flag. It showcases its evolution, the sacrifice and love of country our flag represents.

Father's Day

  • How to Catch a Daddysaurus written by Alice Walstead and Andy Elkerton is a great father-centric edition from the "How to Catch" series that my kids love. All of the attributes of the dads we love come together in this book in a beautiful way to embody the unconditional love a dad has for his kids.
  • The Night Before Father's Day by Natasha Wing gives one viewpoint into what the holiday can mean. It provides the ultimate acts of service love language based holiday celebration to dad. I like to use it as a platform to build conversations with my oldest about what they thing their dad would enjoy to celebrate the holiday. 

Juneteenth

  • The Juneteeth Story by Alliah L. Agostini is a picture book that helps explain slavery and its long history to officially end it. It has beautiful illustrations that help keep the attention of our youngest readers.
  • What Is Juneteenth? by Kirsti Jewel is a chapter book from the "What Is" collection. This is a more advanced and in depth history of the holiday. We love the approachable way it teaches modern history and the official declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. 

June Theme - Camping & Family Vacation 

Camping

  • Biscuit Goes Camping by Alyssa Satin Capucilli is an early reader book that helps install confidence and fluency in younger readers. It follows Biscuit the puppy's camping adventure.
  • Curious George Goes Camping by Margret & H.A. Rey follows George's adventures on his camping trip. My middle loves this book and the element of adventure and suspense it takes the reader on!
  • Bluey Camping - We are a household who loves the show Bluey. This book summarizes the Bluey episode in which the Heelers go camping and meet new friend Jean Luc. The book is adorable and my kids enjoy the story while staying screen free. 
  • The Camping Trip by Catherine Hapka is a leveled reader for beginning readers. We love how easy it is for our six year old to pick it up and read through independently or to our middle. 
  • A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen is a beautifully illustrated picture book that follows Mr. Magee's adventure with rhythm and rhyme. 
  • Curious George Goes Fishing by Margret & H.A. Rey is a board book that follows George's fishing adventure. Our camping trips always include some fishing so this is a fun way to include all the elements of our trip.
  • Billy and the Mini Monsters Monsters Go Camping by Zanna Davidson is a graphic novel for the middle elementary readers. It has bright illustrations throughout that make it an exciting option to pull off the shelf!

Family Vacation

  • Llama Llama Family Vacation by Anna Dewdney is based off of the classic Llama Llama episode. The episode features the build-up to an exciting trip, a first plane ride along with seeing new people again that you haven't seen in awhile. We love this book for all of the preparation it gives the kids in advance of their lived experiences. It does a great job explainig the variety of feelings and emotions that go with this exciting adventure. 
  • The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing beautifully illustrates all of the preparation and work required to go on our fun adventures in a humorous tone.