Summer Color

Author: Diana Murray

Illustrator: Zoe Persico

Summary: This is a sweet book that takes you on a spirited journey through the colors of nature along with two playful kids. Even the beginning of a summer rainstorm can’t damper their glorious adventure through the woods. You and your kids will love the color explosions on each page.

Recommended Ages: 4 to 7 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This is a great book to read to review colors with your child, as well as free-verse poetry.

Extension Activities: Take your kids outside and have them draw their own picture. Then have them describe their surroundings, focusing on the different colors they see.

Ocean Meets Sky

Author: Terry Fan

Illustrator: Eric Fan

Summary: Finn longs to see the special place his grandfather told him about, where the ocean meets the sky. One day, he decides to honor his grandfather’s death by building his own ship, and sailing out into the ocean in search of this special place. You and your kids will fall in love with the mystical images on each page, and may even be surprised to see what Finn actually finds on his quest.

Recommended Ages: 4 to 8 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This is an endearing book that can be used to talk about how to cope with the death of a loved one, and how you can do things to honor their memory.

Extension Activities: Create your own colorful Japanese fish decoration. Click here!

Inky the Octopus

Author: Erin Guendelsberger

Illustrator: David Leonard

Summary: Inky liked his home at the National Aquarium of New Zealand, but he longed to be free in the open sea! You and your kids will fall in love with the real-life adventure of this dare-devil octopus and his escape into the ocean!

Recommended Ages: 5 to 10 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This would be a great story to read before starting a research project on octopus or other ocean animals.

Extension Activities: Make your own octopus mobile! Click here!

And Then Comes Summer

Author: Tom Brenner

Illustrator: Jaime Kim

Summary: This is a sweet book that celebrates all the fun activities that you can do over the summer. From selling lemonade, staying out late, and bike adventures, you and your kids will have fun reading this book together and maybe begin to make your own summer plans!

Recommended Ages: 4 to 8 years

Themes, Skills, & Concepts: This would be a great book to read right before summer starts, to help plan out activities you and your kids can do together.