Summer is here and that means summer reading! Dig out the books and get to reading with your children. Most of us have either finished school and are on break or have relaxed our schedule which means that there’s more time to lay a blanket outside and read together as a family! Here is a great list summer reading book ideas, starting with children’s books to read in June, including books about summer, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and fireflies!
Children’s books about summer
The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali
What happened over summer break? One curious teacher wants to know! Follow along in The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer as a day at the beach turns into a bigger and grander adventure that just might be true!
The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan
Each year the little blue cottage waits for summer and the little girl to weather the sunshine and storms with it. As days turn into months and months into years, the little blue cottage is left waiting. In this story about change, Kelly Jordan perfectly captures the essence of a favorite place that all readers will connect with.
Sea Glass Summer by Michelle Houts
One summer, Thomas visits his grandma at her seaside cottage. He spends his days with a magnifying glass that belonged to his grandfather, exploring the mysteries of the seaside. One day, Thomas’s grandmother shows him a piece of sea glass. That night, Thomas dreams of the sea glass and a bottle shattering. Could the piece of sea glass his grandmother showed him have come from the very bottle in his dreams? Thomas spends the rest of the summer looking for more sea glass and hoping to discover more secrets of the sea in this ode to imagining the possibilities in every hidden treasure.
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
This is such a fun book! We love camping as a family and there are definitely some crazy adventures that happen. One of my favorite parts of camping is spending time just soaking in the beauty of God’s creation. You can see that in the illustrations. Your children will be giggling through this story as Mr. Magee goes on an unexpected adventure.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
Many children spend their summer playing outside, going to visit family, or camping. But Wallace has a much different adventure during his summer vacation. He gets to experience what life was like for the cowhands moving their herds. This book will leave you wondering if this really happened or if Wallace has a great imagination.
Summersaults by Douglas Florian
Douglas Florian’s poems are so much fun to read! The poems in this book are all about the joys and troubles of summer. You will read about swinging, bugs, heat, dandelions, and all the summer things. Once you finish this book, you will want to run out and experience all the summer activities. Our June lesson of Journey Down the Rabbit Trail will feature this book and give you a chance to learn more about Douglas Florian.
Blackout by John Rocco
What happens when the power goes out? Find out in this story about when New York City lost power one evening. The illustrations are absolutely amazing and add some much to the story. You can learn more about John Rocco in our Summer Writing Camp for our Journey Down the Rabbit Trail membership.
Summer Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow
Y’all know how I love books with beautiful illustrations. This one’s illustrations are so unique. The main illustrations that accompany this story are lightly drawn and one bug is highlighted and bright on each page. This makes the bug really stand out. You could go on a Rabbit Trail about each one to learn more about them. There are also some activities in the back you can do this summer! Go check it out and have fun finding them in nature.
The Golden Glow by Benjamin Flouw
Fox loves nature. His favorite thing is to go out and pick flowers. He discovers a new, rare flower in his botany book and he must find it. He hikes up a mountain to find it. Read on to see what happens. This book will not just teach your children about flowers, but also about what you need to go hiking and also how to nature journal. Go check it out!
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
Hot Dog won the 2023 Caldecott Medal. When you look at this book, you will see why. The story is told in a few words, but the amazing illustrations tell the rest. Doug Salati worked on this book, his first that he wrote and illustrated, for over 10 years. You can learn more about Doug Salati and go on some fun Rabbit Trails with our Summer Writing Camp lessons in Journey Down the Rabbit Trail.
Children’s books for Father’s Day
Why a Daughter Needs a Dad by Gregory Lang
This book is a part of Gregory Lang’s New York Times Bestselling series! This book makes the perfect gift for any father/daughter duo, showcasing just some of the many reasons a daughter needs a dad in her life! Featuring catchy rhymes and beautiful animalillustrations, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad is the perfect book to help daughters and dads connect.
Why a Son Needs a Dad by Gregory Lang
Like Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, this next book is Gregory Lang’s bestselling series shares touching moments between afather and son, depicting not all, but some of the reasons a son needs a dad. This picture book is filled with heartwarming rhymes and beautiful pictures illustrating how a father helps a son grow.
Papa, Please Get Me the Moon by Eric Carle
This classic book by Eric Carle has won the heart of millions of children. Monica wants to play with the moon but finds she cannot reach it. Wanting to make his daughter happy, Monica’s father tries to bring the moon to her. Children will love literally watching these pages literally unfold outward and upward right before their eyes!
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
Such a beautiful story about a little boy’s grandpa. The illustrator used hedges to tell the story. The hedges are shaped into all sorts of things, like birds, people, wedding cakes, elephants, and more. You definitely want to check this book out.
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
This is the perfect book for Father’s Day. Little Critter gets to go on a camping trip with his dad. They make lots of memories. Maybe this book will inspire a father-child trip for you.
My Dad Thinks He’s Funny by Katrina Germein
Does your dad say some funny things? Snuggle up with your dad and see if you can find any of his silly sayings in this book.
When a Dad Says “I Love You” by Douglas Wood
How does your dad say he loves you? This book will show all the different ways dads show their love. It’s not always with words. After reading, think of all the things your dad does for you and remember that he is just showing you how much he loves you.
My Dad by Anthony Browne
Think about your dad. How would you describe him? What is he really good at? How does he help you? Read this book to hear about a little boy describing, and sometimes exaggerating, his dad’s many accomplishments. Is your dad similar in any way?
When Dads Don’t Grow Up by Marjorie Blain Parker
Has your dad grown up? Does he still enjoy watching cartoons, racing shopping carts, and playing on the park equipment? That’s what makes dads so much fun. Check out this story to see what happens when dads don’t grow up.
Following Papa’s Song by Gianna Marino
It’s time for a long migration to the summer feeding grounds. Little Blue is full of questions throughout their journey. He wants to know what’s below them. Papa tells him it’s a magical world and Little Blue decides to check it out. He gets lost. Will Little Blue be able to find his way back to Papa?
Children’s books about Juneteenth
All Different Now: The First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
Told in Angela Johnson’s signature poetic verse through the eyes of a little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day the last slaves were emancipated in the South. This book also includes notes from both the author and illustrator, a timeline of important events, as well as a glossary of terms pertaining to the story.
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Listen to the story about a young girl named Mazie as she and her father about the meaning of Juneteenth. Father and daughter discuss the hardships their ancestors endured in the time leading up to the emancipation of slaves.
Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Drew Nelson
Juneteenth depicts what June 19, 1865 looked like in Texas. Portrayed in easy to understand bits of information, Juneteenth helps children understand the history and importance behind the holiday.
The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States by Alliah L. Agostini
Hear the story of slavery from the beginning to when it ended on June 19, 1865 in Texas. It also explains what happened after this date. Definitely check it out so your children can learn what it was like for the enslaved people.
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan
At a Juneteenth celebration, the children gathered around Opal Lee to hear a Juneteenth story. Opal Lee was an activist that helped make Juneteenth a federally-recognized holiday. You will hear what it was like for her family when blacks were segregated from whites. Juneteenth means it’s freedom time!
The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand
It’s always great when our grandparents share stories from their past. It’s a wonderful way to learn about history. Grandma shares what happened to her mother on the day all enslaved people were freed.
Juneteenth: A Children’s Story by Opal Lee
Here’s another good book about Opal Lee and why we celebrate Juneteenth. At the end of the book, the teacher mentions that only 47 states celebrate this holiday. Today, all states recognize it!
Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
When the news reached Texas, the enslaved celebrated this news differently. Check out this book to find out all the different celebrations.
Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett
What does Juneteenth mean to the Black community? It means many different things like dancing, the smell of yummy food in the air, love, prayer, and spending time with family. This book will help us understand why this holiday is so important.
Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford
Cassandra’s family has recently moved to Texas and she’s not sure it feels like home yet. There is a surprise coming and she can’t figure out what they will be celebrating. She gets a new dress and sees lots of yummy food. Will Texas feel like home after she discovers the surprise?
Children’s books about fireflies
Fireflies by Julie Brinckloe
I just love how Julie Brinckloe drew the illustrations for this book. The few colors she added in with the shading just make them beautiful. Enjoy them as you read a story about a young boy catching fireflies. Make sure to check out our freebie lesson: Rabbit Trails through Science: Fireflies.
The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
I LOVE Eric Carle books! So I definitely couldn’t pass up his firefly book for this list. And this one is super cool at the end. Go check it out!
Fly, Firefly by Shana Keller
The bright yellow color in each illustration really glows just like fireflies do. Poor firefly gets confused by the glowing bioluminescence in the ocean. Thankfully, there was a little girl to save the firefly.
By the Light of the Moon by Frann Preston-Gannon
Frog was singing alone one night. His song just didn’t sound right so he went searching for friends to help. All kinds of creatures join in, but it’s still not right. Will he find what is missing?
It’s a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree
Not only is this a cute book about catching fireflies, it will also help your littles learn to count. Even though the little girl loves catching them, she makes sure to release them at the end.
Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes
This is a great nonfiction book to add to your firefly book pile. Your children will learn all there is to learn about fireflies while reading about a little girl on her grandparent’s farm. Learn more about fireflies and other bugs in Rabbit Trails through Science: Bugs. (coming in June 2024)
Little Firefly Finds His Light by Maggie Blackeney
A baby firefly feels left out because he doesn’t glow like all the others. His wise mamma guides him on a quest to understand the secret behind why they glow. This beautiful book also does a great job of teaching your children about gratitude and happiness.
When Lightning Comes in a Jar by Patricia Polacco
Another great Patricia Polacco book that is a must read. In this book, there is a huge family reunion. The reunion is full of stories, food, and games. They end the evening catching lightning in a jar. After reading, get your jars read and go catch your own lightning in a jar.
Light the Sky, Firefly by Sheri M. Bestor
Do you call them fireflies or lightning bugs? Put on your entomologists hats to learn more about these amazing critters. You can choose to read just the story or add in all the fun facts at the bottom of the pages.
How to Survive as a Firefly by Kristen Foote
I just love that this book’s main character is a firefly teacher. She teaches the little firefly larva all about what they will do the rest of their lives. The illustrations are also fun to look at. This book will have your children giggling.
Summer Reading Book Ideas for June
What books would you add to this list? What are your favorite books about summer, Father’s Day, and Juneteenth? Let us know in the comments or in my online homeschool community! Don’t forget to grab your free copy of my Summer Reading Challenge printable, too!
Want even more reading resources? Check out my post below for my ultimate list!
