25 Top Books About Summer for Preschoolers

This one has been our go-to signal that summer’s really here. The writing is almost poetic, and the illustrations just feel like childhood—popsicles, bikes, and barefoot afternoons. We usually read it during the first hot week of June, right when the school-year pace starts to fade.

I pulled this out the night before our beach trip last year, and my son laughed at how chaotic the packing scenes were (because yes, they felt way too familiar). It’s silly, fun, and actually helped him feel less anxious about all the changes that come with traveling.

This book was a lifesaver the summer we started swim lessons. Froggy’s mix of excitement and nervousness matched exactly what we were dealing with, and repeating the “Bubble, bubble, toot, toot” line became our pool-day ritual.

This one hit differently. It’s such a gentle, affirming book about facing fears—and I’ve seen my son flip through it on his own even when we weren’t reading it together. We read it a lot the summer he tried diving off the low board for the first time.

Not going to lie, we’ve read this one so many times I can practically quote it. But that’s the charm—Pete’s chill attitude somehow rubs off. It’s been a staple in our summer book bin, especially when I need five calm minutes before dinner.

This one is quieter and more reflective, but lovely. It follows a little girl’s day in such a peaceful way—it was perfect for wind-down time after long pool days when energy was low, but we still wanted a story before bed.

We read this after a summer full of visiting family, and it just clicked. The joyful chaos, the squeeze-hugs, the crammed house—my son laughed because it reminded him exactly of when his cousins stayed over and no one ever slept.

This one surprised us. It’s simple, but the teamwork and creativity in the story mirrored what happened the first time we actually tried to build a real sandcastle (spoiler: it collapsed, but we had the best time). It sparked a lot of “next time, we should…” conversations.

We read this around a backyard camping night, and it instantly became a favorite. The rhymes are fun to read aloud, and Mr. Magee’s mini-adventures made camping feel a little more magical—like anything could happen, even with a toaster and a bear.

This one felt like it was written for my son—math, ice cream, and mischief all rolled into one. It’s clever without being too “educational,” and every time we read it, he tries to find more numbers hidden in the pictures.

Related: Ice cream math worksheets.

It’s got a quieter vibe, but the city details really stood out. We don’t live in a big city, so this gave my son a peek into what summer looks like for other kids—fire hydrants spraying, street art, noisy blocks. It led to a really sweet talk about how different places can feel during summer.

Biscuit books are always a win here, but this one was extra sweet the year we took our dog to the beach. It’s short and cozy, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are just starting to explore books on their own.

Related: Have fun with our free beach scavenger hunt printable next time you are at the seaside.

This one has that rhythmic, lyrical feel that makes it great for bedtime. The language feels soft and musical, and the images are pure summer—sun hats, butterflies, sprinkler days. It’s one we reach for when we want to end the day on a calm, happy note.

We usually read books with words, but this one changed that. It’s completely wordless, and yet somehow says so much. My son loves to make up the story as he goes—it’s different every time, and that’s part of the fun. It’s one of the most imaginative books we’ve ever read together.

This one feels like a gentle introduction to summer traditions. My son loved spotting all the picnic treats, and it gave us a little list of things to try—watermelon slices, kites, lemonade. It’s short and sweet, and ideal for toddlers or early preschoolers.

We read this the night before our first trip to the Gulf Coast. It’s a sensory overload in the best way—waves, salt, sun, sounds. After reading it, my son ran to pack his goggles and beach towel because “the ocean smells like adventure.”

Alligators heading to the beach? Say no more. This one’s pure fun, with silly rhymes and bold, cartoony illustrations. It was a hit when we needed something playful and fast-paced, especially when attention spans were low but we still wanted a story.

There’s something timeless about Harry. This one had us both laughing, especially when Harry’s mistaken for a sea monster. It’s got that classic storybook tone, and even though it’s older, it totally holds up—especially if your kid loves dogs and chaos.

This is more poetic than plot-driven, but it’s absolutely beautiful. We read it on a quiet Sunday morning, and it slowed us down in the best way. It made us pay more attention to little things—like the sound of cicadas or the color of the sky just before sunset.

This one’s a fun mix of humor and heart. My son cracked up at the exaggerated excitement (and slight panic) in the poems, and it became a tradition to read it at the start of summer break. It’s light and rhythmic—great for kids who love silly read-alouds.

We’ve always loved Llama Llama, but this one felt especially timely when my son started swim lessons. It’s sweet and encouraging without being too preachy—just the right mix of gentle and goofy. He even brought it to show his swim instructor.

This one’s bright and cheerful—just like summer should be. It’s a Little Golden Book, so the size and style are super nostalgic for me, but the colors and simple text made it easy for my son to engage with. We actually brought it along on a color scavenger hunt at the park.

Total hit. My son was obsessed with the idea that his sandcastle might actually house a dragon. It turned every beach trip into a full-on mission to “build a dragon home.” Funny, imaginative, and perfect for kids who love to blend fantasy with real-life play.

This one never fails to get a giggle. The crocodile’s panic over swallowing a seed led to a whole lunch full of “what if” questions. It’s quick, silly, and great for repeat reads—which is good, because we’ve read it a lot.

We picked this up on a library whim and ended up loving the quiet, feel-good message. It’s not strictly a summer book, but something about the sunny stroll through the neighborhood just feels warm and seasonal. Great for a peaceful afternoon read.