Daily reading time is a standard pillar of many household summer routines, and our home is no different. While my kids are older now and often have their nose stuck in a chapter book, I will always and forever love a good stack of summer picture books. Beautiful illustrations paired with thoughtfully chosen words transport me to a place of delight, inspiration and just a plain, old happy feeling.  Regular trips to the library to pick up seasonal picture books was a regular rhythm in our household for years.  

The Best Afternooon Adventure: Summer Picture Books

What better ailment is there for a hot, sticky afternoon or a rainy day than a good stack of picture books to slowly page through? Between these pages are adventures to be found, lessons to be learned, new ideas to be realized, and soothing words to calm a kiddo who’s just plum tired. Building a habit of daily quiet reading time, no matter how small, is good for the whole household. Kids get lost for a bit in their own world and mom and dad get a few quiet moments to use as they see fit!

Join me today as we journey through a list of some of my all-time favorite summer picture books with a theme of nature, the garden and outdoor adventures. Grab a glass of something cold and get ready to grab these books for your kids at your local library or add them to your online cart. 

Summer Picture Books to Check Out

1. The Little Blue Cottage

I stumbled upon this book at my local library years ago, and it soon became a family favorite, especially for my daughter. It is the sweet story of a young girl who travels to the same blue cottage each summer during her childhood. Her time is full of outdoor adventures, family memories, delicious summer meals, and creative time in her room (with the ultimate window seat!). When she returns as an adult, she carries on those same traditions with her own family. This reminds me that the best memories are more about people and places and less about things.  

2. Time of Wonder 

Summer in coastal Maine is about as perfect as it gets. Although if you’re looking for warm ocean water, maybe reconsider it! But if the ocean calls your name come summer, Robert McCloskey’s books are hard to beat. Time of Wonder is a beautifully illustrated adventure that shares the passage of the summer season on Penobscot Bay. The story follows one family’s summer trip to the coast and all the seasonal changes they encounter. From foggy mornings with gulls to rough storms rolling in, the words and pictures will transport you to the magic of a Maine summer.  

3. Over and Under the Pond 

Time near water is a requirement of mine for it to really feel like summer. During my New England childhood, this was often accomplished by days spent at a local lake, wading in a cold creek or finding the perfect rope swing at a deep swimming hole (whose location was a closely guarded secret). Now that I’m spending my summers in Tennessee, the importance of water has only increased. While waterfalls and local pools abound, my family is also blessed with a backyard creek.  

Over and Under the Pond is the perfect companion for a trip down to our creek or any freshwater spot. The author takes a robust look at pond life by breaking it into two categories. First, is the top of the pond where you can see plant life, bugs and turtles. Under the pond is a whole other world of creatures. If you’re kids like amphibians, reptiles, bugs and water, this book needs a spot on your shelf! 

4. The Sleeping Porch 

I’m not the biggest fan of camping but let me tell you where I will sleep during hot summer weather- my screened porch! My favorite Sunday nap spot is on our outdoor daybed, and this book only makes me more grateful to have it. In this magical summer story, one family is settling into their new home when a thunderstorm strikes and the power goes out. Seeking a cool place to sleep, they came out on their screened porch and get acquainted with all their new nighttime neighbors. Before you know it, you’ll be scheming and dreaming about your own screened porch and many summer nights spent out there.  

5. The Raft 

What parent hasn’t heard the dreaded “I’m bored!” from the kids during those long, hot summer days? The young boy in this story was feeling the same way, especially when he was dropped off at his grandmother’s home for the summer. Without fellow kids or a tv to entertain him, he eventually finds his own adventures down at a pond. This book is excellent inspiring outdoor explorations, hands on projects and creative problem solving.  

6. All The Places to Love 

I’m a fan of pretty much any book by Patricia MacLachlan, and this one is no different. This sweet story touches on the importance of knowing where we’ve come from. Wildflower meadows, golden hayfields, a flowing river, and a marsh full of wild creatures are all part of this child’s early world and his family story. The flowing words and beautiful pictures show how the land shapes and forms us.   

7. We Are the Gardeners 

Joanna Gaines’ story of her family’s first garden is a sweet tale that will inspire you to grow something, no matter how small. It follows their winding journey of garden wins and fails. From growing a small potted fern to a large and robust garden, these gardeners persevere and see the fruits of their labor. The sweet, folksy illustrations and descriptive language will inspire the youngest gardeners to try their hand at growing something green.  

8. Miss Rumphius

If anyone had the ability to transport a reader to a different time and place, Barabara Cooney had the gift. I love many of her books, but this one has held a special place on my bookshelf since I was a young girl. It follows the worldwide adventures and eventual settling down of a single woman. Desiring to make her own contributions to the world around her, she starts by sprinkling flower seeds wherever she goes. The growth of the flowers and her connection to her community is inspiring to readers young and old. 

9. Blueberries for Sal

Robert McCloskey makes my booklist twice and for good reason. His books are timeless and bring out the very best things about summer! I love any kind of berry imaginable, but fresh blueberries from Maine are hard to beat. This sweet tale follows the adventure of a young child who accompanies the mom on her annual blueberry picking trip. They dodge some close calls with local bears and end their day by putting up preserves for the coming winter. The story is funny and sweet, and the end pages make me think of the smells and sounds of a country kitchen in summer. 

10. Hattie and Hudson 

We finish our list by returning to the water again. This is a story of unlikely friendship, sticking up for the underdog (or under-monster if that’s a thing), bravery and courage, and lake-side summer fun. This story is one even my older children still request and I always say yes. The rich, vibrant illustrations and sweet character development make this one story to read over and over again.  

Good stories are one of the best teachers for our children. While facts and informational paragraphs are helpful, children tend to hang onto information that they connect with through rich books. So, whether your ideal summer is full of lakes and rivers, gardens and berry picking, coastal adventures or travel to a cherished getaway spot, be sure to check out some of these books this summer. They will inspire your child’s imagination, creativity and bravery. They will encourage them to explore, plant, tend, and build. And most of all, they will help create lasting connections between you and your kids. Books are truly the best! What are your favorite summer nature and garden books? Leave me a comment below!