July is here and that means summer reading continues! I’ve got a list of the best books of summer right here so that you have amazing picture books to read in July. Books all about the Fourth of July, Sharks, and the Ocean to keep the summer reading fun alive! Dive into the list with me and get your library cards ready!
Books for the Fourth of July
4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh
Find out how the Fourth of July came to be with this beautiful, classic book! Travel back to colonial times and read all about the beginning of our country and how it came to be. Make sure to grab our Rabbit Trails through Independence Day lesson for more fun!
America: A Patriotic Primer by Lynne Cheney
Read about some important aspects of America, from A to Z, in this patriotic primer! Fun illustrations and facts fill the pages for all 26 people and ideas that make up this story.
Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S Wong
A story of a Chinese-American girl who thinks that no one eats Chinese food on the Fourth of July. She is in for a treat…and not just Apple Pie!
F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
Appropriate for both Flag Day and the Fourth of July, F is for Flag shows the brilliant symbolism of the stars and stripes.
A is for America by Devin Scillian
Another American alphabet… but this one is my favorite! A is for America is one book from my favorite series of alphabet books. Stunning pictures. Beautiful poetry. Check out my U.S. Geography Journal where many of these books are included, too!)
My Fourth of July by Jerry Spinelli & Larry Day
Newberry award-winning author Jerry Spinelli and award-winning illustrator Larry Day celebrate small town America in this nostalgic classic. This story celebrates patriotic traditions that many Americans associate with the holiday, reminding us the value of both one’s family & country.
Independence Cake by Deborah Hopkinson & Giselle Potter
This historical fiction picture book is written about a real person, Amelia Simmons, who lived during the Revolutionary War period and became the author of the first American cookbook. Clever parallels to the war are interwoven in her story of learning to cook and create something new. This book also delicately touches on grief as she mourns her parents’ death.
The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier
The War of 1812, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write this beloved anthem, has been carefully researched in this visual reference for Key’s original lyrics. Included in the book are historically accurate representations of the forts, battles and flags of the Revolution as well as music for both guitar and piano to play along. You can learn more in our free Rabbit Trails through History: Francis Scott Key lesson.
America the Beautiful by Wendell Minor & Katharine Lee Bates
With stunning artwork of the American landscape set against the patriotic poetry of Katharine Lee Bates (author of America the Beautiful), readers will travel across different areas within the US and time periods of American history including Yosemite National Park, Mount Rushmore, Cape Canaveral, etc. The artist even pays homage to 9/11 with an image of the beams of light where the twin towers once stood and the line “Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears.
Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus & Kadir Nelson
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This beautifully illustrated and poetically worded story of our land weaves themes of unity and freedom while honoring the veterans who fought to make it so. Sarvinder Naberhaus’s words are simple and few but deeply meaningful when juxtaposed with the images on each page. Check out the bilingual version of this book for reinforcing Spanish!
More books to read in July all about Sharks!
Wandering Whale Sharks by Susumu Shingu
After spending time in Okinawa, we fell in love with whale sharks! Wandering Whale sharks shows off amazing art work of these gentle giants.
Land Shark by Beth Ferry
This boy is so excited for his birthday and the only thing on his list is a shark! Who wouldn’t want a shark as a pet?! Find out what happens as he is gifted a different pet, instead…
Shark Lady by Jess Keating
Thanks to this woman, we know sharks aren’t just mindless killers! Learn all about Eugenie Clark, a zoologist, and how a lifetime of dedication brought about appreication and protection for sharks.
If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams
We all know that many animals depend on each other for food and for population control. What would happen if the sharks disappeared? This book touches on what our oceans and world would look like without sharks.
Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands by Katherine Roy
Going beyond the typical informative book, this author actually visited the Farallon Islands off California’s coast and personally observed the island’s shark population with a team of scientists. Based on current research, Neighborhood Sharks covers the life cycle, detailed anatomy & habitat of the great white shark.
Smart About Sharks by Owen Davey
With retro illustrations detailing 8 different orders of sharks, Owen Davey explains the diet, hunting techniques, social life, size and biology of these mostly misunderstood animals.
Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez & Devin Elle Kurtz
Written by a globally renowned shark scientist who grew up in Puerto Rico, Mother of Sharks blends biography with a big dose of fantastical imagination. This gorgeously illustrated picture book dispels various myths about sharks and is a rallying cry for marine conservation.
Sharks: A Day in the Life — What Do Great Whites, Hammerheads, and Whale Sharks Get Up To All Day? by Carlee Jackson, Neon Squid & Chaaya Prahbat
Learn about how different sharks hunt hide and play — from the deadly tiger shark to the yellow-bellied lemon shark to the giant basking shark and more!
Great White Shark by Claire Saxby & Cindy Lane
Author Claire Saxby paints a tender portrait of these oceanic predators, following a great white shark as she travels to warmer waters to give birth.
Continue the summer reading fun with books about the ocean!
Coral Reefs by Gail Gibbons
I love all books by Gail Gibbons! This book about Coral Reefs doesn’t disappoint. With her fun illustrations and child friendly facts, learn all about Coral Reefs together. (You can also see my full list of Ocean books I wrote about that this book is included in, too!)
The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner
Read all about coral reef restoration and conservation in this stunningly illustrated book. If you would like to explore more, we have a whole lesson on coral reefs in Rabbit Trails through Literature: Volume 4.
The First Book of the Sea by Nicola Davies
The mix of poetry and gorgeous illustration make this book a great one to look at several different aspects of the sea!
Man Fish by Jennifer Berne
Read about how Jacques Cousteau went from a curious boy to a pioneer in underwater exploration. More beautiful poetry and beautiful pictures fill this book.
The Coral Kingdom by Laura Knowles & Jennie Webber
Using beautiful artwork and promoting a strong ecological message, The Coral Kingdom educates readers about the life cycle, diversity of the coral reef system, how the coral reef is endangered & what we can do to help it.
The Magic School Bus Takes a Dive: A Book About Coral Reefs by Joanna Cole, Ted Enik & Bruce Degen
From the fan-favorite Magic School Bus series, readers dive deep into discussions about the symbiotic relationship of the animals & plants found in coral reefs. The story line also focuses on getting along with others and the need to sometimes work as partners. Continue the story by watching its coordinating TV episode!
The Great Barrier Reef by Helen Scales & Lisa Feng
Full of interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef & its inhabitants, this retro-illustrated book is written by a marine biologist, diver and author.
Coral Reefs: A Journey Through an Aquatic World Full of Wonder by Jason Chin
Caldecott-winning illustrator and author Jason Chin combines imaginative, “breathtaking” illustrations with highly informative facts about turtles, coral reefs and more.
The Ocean Gardener by Clara Anganuzzi
Inspired by a real-life marine biologist who works on reef restoration, this book describes a girl and her marine biologist mom as they work to restore the reefs around their island home.
Ella’s Adventures in the Great Barrier Reef by Christian Miller
Follow the adventures of a rescued sea turtle and her friends as they explore the Great Barrier Reef. A portion of the proceeds goes to whale.org for selected conservation projects!
Finally, round out your summer reading with books about picnics!
The Picnic by Ruth Brown
Literally told as a rabbit’s-eye view of a picnic as observed by the wildlife nearby, Ruth Brown’s masterful watercolor paintings will engage readers as they watch this very human tradition from a new perspective.
Sweet Tea by the Live Oak Tree by Kelly Grettler & Denise Muzzio
Reminiscent of The Giving Tree in its storytelling of a young girl from childhood to adulthood as told from the perspective of the tree that watched her grow, Sweet Tea by the Live Oak Tree is a reminder of how fast life goes by. Parents, have the tissue box ready for this one!
The Perfect Picnic by Ciara Flood
The Perfect Picnic is a story about a pair of very different friends — squirrel and mole, their quest for the perfect picnic spot, and about things not always going as planned.
Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies
Bats… at the beach?! Fantastically engaging illustrations pair with witty rhymes to introduce kids to less often used vocabulary in a refreshing, playful storyline that will make you laugh.
Sun by Sam Usher
One of a 4-book series centered on the seasons, Sun is the story about a boy and his grandpa going on a picnic adventure on a very hot summer day. Author and illustrator Sam Usher combines warm & imaginative passages with his trademark watercolor and ink artwork, providing a variety of visual perspectives.
The Rattlebang Picnic by Margaret Mahy & Steven Kellogg
A newlywed couple make the decision to buy “an old rattlebang” car so they can afford to have a large family. Now with 7 children in tow, the family decides to go for a picnic on the top of Mt. Fogg, which erupts, threatening to spoil the family’s adventure. Full of tall tales with exaggeration and lively humor, the story of the McTavishes teaches about the importance of spending time as a family over material possessions.
Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee
Using rhyming verse and watercolor illustrations, Summer Days and Nights depicts summer through a child’s eyes, appreciating the small but special details that define a season: catching a butterfly, sipping lemonade, jumping in a pool, going on a picnic, etc.
The Most Perfect Spot by Diane Goode
A young boy decides to take his mother on a picnic at Prospect Park looking for the perfect spot, but encounters mishaps at every step. Here’s a story about overcoming disappointment and persevering and the unexpected blessings we discover along the way.
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes & Bonnie Mackain
One hundred hungry ants are marching toward a picnic, dividing into lines of two then four then 10 in order to march even faster. This story visually introduces early math concepts like counting, division and multiplication in an engaging way with a silly repetitive song to anchor it in the reader’s memory.
We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past by Jacqueline Woodson & Diane Greenseid
Join Teeka as she and her extended family reunite for their annual park picnic. The author describes each family member and their contribution to the party with vivid detail, making this a great book to discuss developing realistic and engaging characters in your student’s writing. You’ll also enjoy the celebration of family traditions and togetherness!
Picture Books for July
That is my list of books for the month! What books about the Fourth of July, Sharks, and the Ocean would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments or in my online homeschool community!
