Justin Krasner, children’s book editor extraordinaire, shares his top picks for kids’ summer reading:
10 Books for Summer Reading
1. World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky: The perfect read for the recently environmentally conscious middle schooler or tween. It’s the true story of what’s happening to our oceans and why the fish we most commonly eat could become extinct within fifty years. Warning: It may cause a stir at family fish fries.
2. Welcome to the Symphony by Carolyn Sloan: This Beethoven sound panel book is ideal for creating your own backyard summer concert series.
3. Indestructibles: Beach Baby by Kate Merritt: Because babies deserve beach reading too—and parents deserve an easy post-beach clean up.
4. The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering by Valerie McKeehan: With three fold-out chalk boards built right into the front and back covers, all kids need to do is grab a piece of chalk, find a shady spot under a tree, and practice perfecting their gorgeous hand lettering all afternoon.
5. How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000 by James McKenna and Jeannine Glista: It’s never too early to start building a business empire. Get your kid on the right track by handing him this ultimate handbook for making, saving, and spending money. Who knows, that lemonade your daughter is selling could end up in Whole Foods.
6. MOVE! by Lolly Hopwood, Yoyo Kusters, and Luke Flowers: Rainy summer days are rough for parents and their pent up progeny. Luke Flowers’s vibrant illustrations are sure to brighten up the cloudiest of days and the book’s playful prompts will inspire some much needed physical activity—getting the kids off the couch and breaking a sweat. Warning: This book is not responsible for any broken vases due to the roaring and stomping of rampaging “dinosaurs.”
7. Colossal Paper Machines by Phil Conigliaro: Another perfect rainy day solution, Colossal Paper Machines will fill hours with fun. It’s a total life saver for kids of any age. Plus, who doesn’t want to build a giant Chinook helicopter of their very own?
8. Are We There Yet? by Dan Santat: Author of the Caldecott-winning Beekle, Dan Santat’s latest picture book involves a car trip that’s so painfully slow for the protagonist, time actually goes backward.
9. The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste: This middle grade novel follows fearless Corinne and her gang of friends as they save their small Caribbean island from dark forces. The perfect book for fantasy and folk lore fans. I’m surprised Pixar hasn’t bought the movie rights yet.
10. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh: My favorite children’s book of all time is also the ideal end-of-summer read. Harriet’s exploits will get kids excited about the new adventures awaiting them when school starts in September. Trust me on this one. Just don’t blame me if your kid picks up any of Harriet’s nosey habits.
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