Here are some fun books that highlight summer vocabulary:
Sunny Days by Deborah Kerbel and Miki Sato (Toddler, Preschool)
A warm summer day is full of possibilities. You can take care of your garden, make a mud pie in the dirt, nap in a cozy sunbeam, take a trip to the beach, or enjoy a delicious ice cream. Simple rhyming words let you imagine yourself in the scene without being too long or distracting for younger crowds. Find it at the Library
Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer (Toddler, Preschool)
When siblings venture outdoors, they wonder about all the world around them. They ask questions like, “Is the sun the world’s light bulb?” and “Are shells the shore’s necklace?” Each question and observation draw parallels between the natural environment and their own lives, creating a story about Earth. Find it at the Library
Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee (Toddler, Preschool)
On this hot summer day, a young girl entertains herself and tries to stay cool. She catches a butterfly, sips lemonade, jumps in a pool, and goes on a picnic. At night, she watches and listens to the animals before falling asleep. Experience summer through the eyes of a young child and the small details that can make up a whole season, which may sometimes be forgotten in the rush and bustle in our grown-up lives. Find it at the Library
Waiting for High Tide by Nikki McClure (Preschool, School Age)
For one young boy near Puget Sound, summer days are perfect to spend at the beach. He can search the high tide line for treasures, listen to the sounds of the barnacles and the water, and practice walking the plank. When the tide comes in, he’ll be able to swim and dive off the log raft his family is building. Children familiar with Alaska’s rocky beaches may find something they recognize in this story. Find it at the Library
Sunrise Summer by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (Preschool)
During the summer, a young girl travels with her family to Egegik, Alaska to spend the season at their commercial fishing operation. This summer she is finally old enough to pull ropes, twist anchor poles, fetch water, and drive the four-wheeler. This book is based on the illustrator’s childhood experiences and back matter provides more detail about fishing permits, the landscape, and traditional indigenous knowledge. Find it at the Library
Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz (Toddler, Preschool)
Nothing quite says summer like ice cream on a sunny, warm day. In this neighborhood in Los Angeles, ice cream popsicles (paletas) are sold by Paletero José. He’s got almost every flavor you could ever dream of! But when a young boy finally catches up with the Paletero Man, he finds that his pockets are empty! What will he do? This story includes Spanish words and phrases throughout the text in a way that flows naturally. Find it at the Library
These resources were recommended by Samantha Blanquart, Early Literacy Outreach Librarian with the Anchorage Public Library. Visit APL’s website for more info about early literacy or to check out one of their reading kits for young children.
