Whether you’re working through a summer theme with your preschoolers or you’re looking for new books to read, don’t miss these summer books for preschoolers. Read about fireflies, camping, vacation, and more!
Fill your preschooler’s book basket with books about summer. Read them at bedtime, nap time, and anytime in between.
These are just a few of our favorite books about summer!
Summer Books for Preschoolers
Summer is the perfect time to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and dive into some fun stories with your little one!
Whether you’re reading at the beach, in the backyard, or cuddled up during naptime, these books are great for making sweet summer memories together. From sandy adventures to sunny day fun, this list has something for every curious preschooler. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite summer books for kids!
Ice Cream Summer
This little one writes a letter to Grandpa about all the things they’re learning, like reading, math, and history, while enjoying a summer full of ice cream! The pictures show ice cream cones hiding in the waves, scoops that turn into math problems, and even the story of how ice cream started long ago. It’s a sweet way to learn and play together in summer sunshine.
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The Twelve Days of Summer
This story takes you on a counting trip through summer days, from finding eggs in a bird’s nest to spotting bees and crows along the way. Each page shows a different little surprise like fans or seeds hidden in the scene. It’s a nice way to count, explore nature, and enjoy the bright, warm days.
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F is for Fireflies: God’s Summertime Alphabet
This alphabet book takes little ones through summer from A to Z, showing things like fireflies lighting up the night and picnics under the sun. Each page uses gentle rhyme to share happy summer scenes, building sandcastles, lemonade, starry skies, and gives a warm message that someone loves us no matter what. The simple words and bright pictures make it great for relaxing, easy reading on quiet summer evenings.
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Summer is Summer
This book invites children to wander through summer’s fun moments, splashing in a creek, staying up for fireworks, eating pink lemonade, and more. Short, rhyming lines echo like a gentle song that brings calm and joy. The watercolor pictures glow with sunshine, making every page feel warm and friendly.
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And Then Comes Summer
This sweet story walks through the end of the school year into sunny summer days, with ice‑cream trucks, lemonade stands, bicycle rides, firework nights, and lake swims. The words follow a gentle pattern, “When… then…”, that helps preschoolers feel the shift from school routines to free, happy summer time. The bright pictures help little ones hear the sounds of crickets and see the warmth of the sun on every page.
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Fireflies
This gentle story follows a boy on a warm night as he catches glowing fireflies in a jar. He’s proud at first, but he soon sees their light dim, like tiny moonbeams fading. Realizing they belong outside, he opens the jar and lets them go, learning it feels better for them, and his heart, when they're free.
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Summer Days and Nights
This book shows a little girl enjoying a bright summer day from morning through bedtime. She catches butterflies, drinks cool lemonade, splashes in a pool, and ends the day with an evening walk under the stars. The gentle rhymes and soft watercolor-like pictures help preschoolers feel the warmth and calm of summer days and nights.
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Sunflower House
This cozy story invites little ones to imagine building a sunflower house together, with tall stems forming walls and petals as the roof. It celebrates nature’s beauty and the joy of working as a team to create something special in the garden. The gentle text and warm illustrations help preschoolers feel connected to the sunflowers and to each other.
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It’s Summer!
This one follows a child as they notice summer coming to life, watching animals, feeling the warm sun, and seeing plants grow everywhere. Each page brings simple suggestions for fun summer activities like splashing in puddles or watching birds, helping kids see and enjoy the season around them.
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Exploring Summer
Little friends can feel the heat of summer, and learn all about it! You’ll see juicy fruit growing, baby animals taking their first steps, and how the weather, plants, and people change during these sunny days. It’s a sweet way to explore nature and notice the fun details of summer together.
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Mouse’s Summer Muddle
This sweet story follows Mouse as she dashes through the woods on a bright summer day, surrounded by colorful trees and fluttering butterflies. She spots something shiny in the pond, and with help from her forest friends, she discovers the mystery together. It’s a calm adventure that gently shows the wonders of summer nature.
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The Night Before Summer Vacation
This playful story follows a family’s busy night before heading out on vacation. Each page shows them packing helmets, a canoe, bikes, clothes, and even grandparents’ albums! But just when you think they're ready, the little girl realizes they've forgotten someone very important.
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How Do You Know It’s Summer?
This fun science book shows how to spot summer signs, like hot weather, growing plants, and baby animals. Kids can learn why thunderstorms happen, how animals behave, and what activities make summer special, like swimming or drinking lemonade. The bright photos and easy words help young readers understand the sunny season.
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What Can You See in Summer?
I couldn't find a summary for What Can You Do in Summer?. Could you share a bit about its story or key details (like what kids do or learn in it)? That way, I’ll craft a lovely, simple 2–3 sentence excerpt just right for your preschool audience.
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The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation
The Bear family takes a fun beach vacation where they swim in the ocean, fish, build sandcastles, and explore a little museum when it rains. They enjoy sunny days and tasty dinners by the sea. Even when vacation ends, they dream about returning together next summer.
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The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation
The Bear family heads to a lakeside cabin hoping for a perfect vacation, but they find a messy cabin, muddy lake, noisy critters, and swarms of mosquitoes. Rainstorms flood their cabin and even sweep Papa into the water, but instead of feeling upset, the family laughs together when they look at their funny vacation photos . In the end, they learn that even a “bad” trip can feel like the best one when you share it with people you love.
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The Night Before Summer Camp
A little camper feels the jitters as bedtime nears before the first day at summer camp. At rest time, the butterflies in his tummy get big…until a new friend offers a smile and shows him that camp can be lots of fun! Soon enough, he’s ready to play, laugh, and enjoy all the summer surprises ahead.
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Summer is Here!
Little ones can peek under rocks, see caterpillars turn into butterflies, and taste juicy blueberries in this tender summer story. The soft watercolor pictures and gentle rhymes invite families to explore nature, from lakes to trees, together. It’s a warm and calm way to feel summer's magic in everyday moments.
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Summer
This easy reader shares all the best parts of summer, like trips to the beach, juicy watermelon, chasing fireflies, and toasting marshmallows. The rhyming lines and bright pictures make it fun to read together, and little ones will love spotting the dog and the kids playing in every scene. It’s a cozy way to celebrate sunny days and happy memories.
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Mouse’s First Summer
Mouse and Minka spend a sunny day picnicking in the park, rolling down grassy hills, flying kites, and enjoying juicy watermelon. As the day turns to evening, they share a surprise moment under the glowing sky. It’s a gentle story that shows how fun little summer days can be together.
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Summertime in the Big Woods
This story follows Laura and Mary as summer arrives and they spend warm, cheerful days helping Ma in the garden and playing outside. It shows the cozy rhythm of life on the prairie, watering plants, picking berries, and enjoying time with family. The soft, detailed pictures help preschoolers feel the gentle breeze and sunshine of a real summer day.
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I See Summer
Little ones notice summer all around, from picnics in the park and lemonade in the shade to sailboats on the water and seagulls in the sky. Each page starts with “I see…” and uses fun rhymes to help preschoolers point out summer things they know. The bright, playful pictures and simple words make it perfect for little readers learning about the season.
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Hot Dog
Timothy and his pal Hot Dog head to the park for a fun day full of surprises. They play games, look for hidden treasures, and enjoy a snack under a big blue sky. The rhyming text and bright pictures make it easy and fun for little ones to read along.
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Pete at the Beach
Pete and his family spend a sunny day at the beach collecting shells and building a sandcastle, but the hot sun makes Pete feel all too warm. When the waves look scary, his big brother helps him try out surfing—and guess what? Pete finds the courage to jump in and have fun in the water too.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Books for Preschoolers
What makes a good summer book for preschoolers? A good summer book is one that’s fun, simple, and full of sunny adventures or nature fun! Look for books with colorful pictures, easy-to-follow words, and themes like the beach, picnics, bugs, or camping. If it feels like something your little one might do during summer break, it’s probably a great pick!
How can I keep my preschooler interested in reading over the summer? Make reading part of your summer routine, like a story before nap or bedtime, or a book under a shady tree after playtime. Let your child pick books that match what they’re doing, like reading about the beach after a beach trip. Using silly voices and pointing to pictures keeps it extra fun!
Do summer books help with learning or are they just for fun? Both! Summer books often sneak in learning through counting, rhymes, new words, or exploring nature. But most of all, they help your child build a love for reading, and that’s one of the best ways to support learning all year round.
Summer is such a special time to slow down, explore, and enjoy sweet moments with your little one, and sharing books together is one of the best ways to do that. Whether you’re reading about sandy beaches, buzzing bugs, or firefly nights, these stories help kids see the magic of the season all around them. So grab a sunny spot, snuggle up, and let these summer books bring smiles, giggles, and warm memories to last all year long. Happy reading!
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.
Any books from the Berenstein Bears is a hit at our house! We are loving their Almanac book in our homeschooling right now.
Oh, what a great list! My four year old loves The Berenstein Bears! I will have to look up some of these!
what a great list!@