One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey
One of the slowest, sweetest summer books ever made. McCloskey understood that the best summer days have no agenda, and reading this with my boys is the closest I get to convincing them of the same.
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
A crocodile eats a single watermelon seed and proceeds to absolutely lose his mind imagining it growing inside him.
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell
Extended family show up in a rattling station wagon, hugging everyone half to death, sleeping wall-to-wall on the floor, eating everything in the kitchen, and eventually driving home again. If summer to you means a house too full of cousins and not enough beds, this is your book.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the high dive. He’s finished his lessons, he’s passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper. He just needs to stretch first. And maybe go after that next kid. And maybe… The whole book unfolds at the pool ladder, and Jabari’s dad handles the whole thing with such patience and grace that I find myself thinking be more like Jabari’s dad.
Mop Rides the Waves of Change by Jaimal Yogis, illustrated by Matthew Allen
Mop takes his mindfulness tools to ocean activism and inspires his community to get involved, too, via a summer concert on the beach. What could be better?!