Summer Books: Water Play!

Summer vacation. Just thinking about it brings out the smiles. And sometimes it lives up to its billing. But sometimes a bit of boredom or anxiety is part of the mix. Here are a couple of kids books that may keep the smiles coming.

Pool by JiHyeon Lee

It’s summer. It’s hot. It’s pool time. On the hottest days, the pools are CROWDED! So what happens when two shy kids try to navigate their way through the pool crowds? In this book, the story is told strictly through illustration. No words. Page by page, we are taken through an underwater adventure that springs from the imagination of the kids. The illustrations are terrific – giving the reader the feeling of looking at things through the screen of water under the surface of a pool. A great summer read to cool off with! Pegged for Preschool-2nd Grade.

Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Daniel Miyares

Surf’s Up is about the joy of reading in summer’s time away from school. Bro and Dude are on a beach vacation. Dude calls on his friend Bro to join him surfing. Bro is immersed in a book. “Not yet Dude.” But he hops onto Dude’s scooter, bringing his book with him. It’s a thriller and Bro vocalizes his excitement: “Wowie Kazowie, Whoa Daddy-O, Booyah!” Now Dude wants to know what is going on in the story that’s keeping his friend on the edge of his seat . Find out what happens when they get to the beach. Kwame Alexander wrote the fabulous Newbery Award winner, The Crossover, that I reviewed last year. Alexander’s ear for rhythm and sounds is once again impeccable. And the illustrations are great at capturing the characters’ emotions. Pegged for ages 4-8.

Share your favorite children’s books about summer vacation!