Summer Books and Movies for Kids
If I had to paint the picture of the perfect summer day it would be filled with books, laughter, games, snacks, and snuggling up with my kids to watch a movie. There is nothing better then filling those lazy summer days with memories of being together. Here is a list of our favorite new entertainment titles for kids:
I received sample titles for inclusion in this post, however all opinions are my own.
Books:
Have聽You聽Seen聽My聽Dragon- Written and illustrated by Steve Light
We have had this book on heavy repeat at our house for the past few weeks. This cute story follows a boy around New York City as he searches for his missing dragon. He counts as he goes making the book both entertaining and educational. The illustrations in this book are amazing, all black and white with only the objects being counted in color. So you tell me, can you spot the dragon? You can find this book here.
Design Line: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles- By Chris Oxlade聽and Illustrated by Mike Lamanski
Do you have a transportation enthusiast at your house? This concertina book folds out as a visual timeline that is over 6 feet in length. My son can spend hours pouring over these illustrations and asking questions about cars, trains, boats, blimps and airplanes. This book is a must have equally entertaining for readers both young and old. By Candlewick Press, you can find this book here.
Where would you go for cover when a thunderstorm rolls into the city? Tap Tap Boom Boom, the storm brings the people together in the subway as they avoid getting drenched. This book flows and the repetitive text is so fun for little voices to repeat as they read. It is a great reminder that no matter who you are or where you are from bridges can be made to create friendships. Also from Candlewick Press, this book can be found here.
Flora The Flamingo by Molly Idle
A 2014 Caldecott Honor book that is full of laughter and fun without saying a word. This wordless picture books leads you on a a hilarious journey as Flora and her flamingo friend learn to dance together. Full of interactive flaps, you can spend all summer getting to know these two unlikely friends and their hilarious antics. The illustrations in this book are so captivating, you can read it over and over again. Find this fun book here.
Chloe,聽Instead聽by Micah Player
When a new sibling comes into the family, things change. And sometimes they don’t change the way that you think that they will. That is what happened to Molly, she thought she was getting one thing, but she got Chloe, instead. The more Chloe irritates Molly, the more frustrated she gets, but then she realizes that maybe Chloe isn’t so bad after all. This book is the perfect book for siblings, especially ones who might need a little nudge into accepting one another!! You can find this beautifully illustrated book here.
The聽Zoo聽is Closed Today- By Evelyn Beilenson and Anne Kennedy
Upon visiting the zoo a brother and sister realize that it is closed today. As they speak with the zookeeper they find that all of the animals are sick! Told in rhyme and overflowing with alliteration tho sis a book your kids will ask for time and time again. Find out what happens with visiting day rolls around and the animals are finally well. With full color illustrations, this book is a riot to read.
My Very Own Fairy Tale Storybook- By聽Maia Haag, illustrated by Joyce Patt
In this personalized storybook fairies come together to spell your child’s name in rhyme! My little girl will not stop asking me to read this book to her! I See Me offers ton of personalized fun for you and your kids! Find this book and more here.聽I See Me聽is also having a Summer Reading Sweepstakes through聽August 31. A grand prize winner will receive a $250 Visa gift card plus 5 personalized storybooks from the I See Me line of books!聽Twenty five other winners will win a personalized coloring book. The entry form is available at here.
Dex T-Rex The聽Mischievous聽Little聽Dinosaur聽by Katya Bowser-
Dex T-Rex is a mischievous little dinosaur who likes to have fun! He stomps, smashes, shreds and chews everything in sight. But, when Dex realizes the consequences of his actions he knows he needs to make things right. This book is a great read for kids who are learning to think about others and play nice! The illustrations are so fun and playful, any kid would love to read about Dex’s adventures! This awesome book is available on July 23rd. Learn more about it here.
Art/Learning:
At The聽Zoo聽Scratch & Sketch: An Art Activity Book for Animal Lovers聽by Lee Nemmers, illustrated by Martha Day Zschock
This trace along activity book comes with a wooden stylus that allows kids to reveal brightly colored or glittery animal as they scratch the black coating. At the end of the book there are blank pages for them to draw their own animals. Inspire a little creativity in your kids this summer, you can find this art book here.
Lately Lilly ABC Travel Flashcards- By Micah Player
We have kids to get ready for preschool in the fall and this is the cutest way I know how to do it! My kids beg to practice their letters and the sounds they make as they follow Lily on all her travel adventures around the world. Micah Player captivates with with illustrations that kids love. These cards are made of really sturdy chipboard, perfect for little hands! You can find these amazing cards here.
Movies:
A Super-Dee-Duper Day!
Don’t forget the toddlers this summer. They can join there favorite purple dinosaur and his friends BJ, Baby Bop, and Riff as they go on a dino-sized adventure! Little ones can sing along and learn as they discover that friendship makes everything more fun! You can find this dino-mite movie here.
Octonauts
Get ready to dive into exploration and adventure with your favorite underwater adventure crew. Whether you are meeting in the Octopod or heading out on the Gup-X you can learn all about the most interesting ocean creatures. My kids love to pretend they are part of the crew as they watch them help animals. With these great titles to choose from you really can’t go wrong! You can find them here:
Octonauts:Here Come The Octonauts!
Octonauts: Calling All Sharks!
The Gruffalo
Based on one of our favorite books at our house, this movie is fun and thrillings as you follow mouse on his search for food. As he encounters three large animals he is forced to think of something to fight back, the Gruffalo. But, what happens when his imaginary creature confronts him. The Gruffalo can be found here.
What summer books and movies are keeping you busy this summer?
So many wonderful books! I love how eclectic the list is. Thank you!
I have been wanting to watch the Gruffalo for forever!! We also love the octonauts!
We’ve been spending a lot of time at the library! Thanks for these suggestions! We’ll pick some up on our next run!
Great list! Thanks for sharing. We’re always looking for new summer reads.
I love this list! Tap Tap Boom Boom sounds cute.
My girls are older now so they pick their own books and I get to read or listen to grown up books. These look like fun choices for kids!
this is enough to occupy the kids. I love how you incorporate books because I feel these kids are so technology obsessed a great book is still necessary!
Awesome list! We have that Fairytale book and my daughter loves it. Barney too. I’ll have to check out the others on that list, thanks for sharing!
What a great selection! I loved reading to my son when he was little.
Other than Barney those are great choices! 馃槈 We tend to avoid him in our home. lol
Oh my we love The Gruffalo 馃檪 Thanks for sharing your list. We’ll check on them at the Library. We love just going in and picking random books and movies. It is a summer tradition.
Thank you for these great suggestions! These books are perfect for my niece and nephew!
These all look perfect for my kids- except Barney. My hubby and I made a promise that we would never have to watch Barney as adults:)
These are some great books and movies for kids. It is so important to keep them reading and learning during the summer.
My brother use to love Barney when he was a kid and would watch it all the time. I use to hate it then but now I kind of miss it.
My kids love Octonauts. Well actually, any of the Disney Jr. shows.
Love those lazy days of summer too! It looks like you found the perfect way to spend them with your kids. These books look like fun reads.
My kids love these books and movies too! Got to love lazy days!
My son has never seen a scratch and sketch book. I bet he’d love it!
Fantastic choices on your list. Rally a good opportunity for kids to enjoy themselves.
I used to work at a museum and we sold At The Zoo Scratch & Sketch. It was a hot item! It’s a lot of fun.
My daughter is really into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books this year. She does our summer reading library program, so she is reading up a storm right now!
As a kid, I would spend summers reading. I used to love reading. I am not a big reader now….go figure
That is a great list! We stock up on books all throughout the year.
My son just recently got into Octonauts! We really love it!
My boys would be all over Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. They have been watching their copy of Over the Hedge this summer.
Looks like you had a busy week! Love the selection of books and movies you shared. 馃檪
No kids in our house, but these are certainly good ideas for my niece and nephew! Summer reading is a MUST!
This is such a great list. My son has never seen Octonauts before. I’ll have to check it out!
I remember watching books and reading books more than anything else when I was a kid. Good times!
We have Netflix so it seems we are watching a ton of movies this summer! Favorites are The Fox & The Hound, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Frozen (we own that one).
I thank you so much for all of these! I am always looking for good book suggestions.
Look at all those fun books! Kiddo loved her flash cards when she was younger. Worked so much better than an electronic gadget.
What a fun roundup of books and movies!! I love spending days inside too through the summer, especially when it’s scorching outside!! Otherwise, we spend it outside in the pool.
My son loves the Octonauts too! I’m glad to see the stores carrying Octonauts merchandise and toys.
those look like some awesome picks! I love the scratch and sketch book. Those are fun!
You picked out some great titles there. My kids have required summer reading from school!
I’ll have to check out some of these books for my youngest! Thanks for the suggestions!
Every one of those is new to me! Tap Tap Boom Boom is the one that calls out to me the most. 馃檪
Those are some great books and movies for kids! We will be adding these to our summer bucket list!
This is a great selection of books,I love getting my kids reading over the summer.
Great list of books. Perfect timing for the summer!
All great choices in books. I just gave my Grandson a couple of books to read. I try to make sure he gets at least one book every time he comes to visit.
I saw the octonauts in your movie pile! We have a stash on the DVR as well as all the original books the show was based on. We have a sea creature kid!