In celebration of summer, this month’s picture book favorites highlight some of the ways that such a hot, busy season can create childhood memories that last a lifetime. From the joy of everyday adventures and the sharing of home-grown family dinners to the remembrance of days gone by, these books are filled with summer fun. Enjoy!

“And Then Comes Summer” written by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Jaime Kim (Copyright 2017, Candlewick Press) uses beautiful illustrations created in acrylic paint with digital tools to transport readers through a nostalgic tribute to the kind of outdoor summer adventures that bring out the kid in all of us.

“Summer Supper” written by Rubin Pfeffer and illustrated by Mike Austin (Copyright 2018, Random House Children’s Books) uses only words beginning with the letter “s” to describe one family’s summer picnic from seed to supper. Colorful illustrations give vivid attention to each word, showing young readers the long journey that brings their food from the farm to the table.

“A Lullaby of Summer Things” written by Natalie Ziarnik, illustrated in gouache and digitally composed by Madeline Valentine (Copyright 2018, Schwartz & Wade Books) is the sweet story of a little girl who remembers the sights and sounds of a favorite summer day spent with her family at the beach. With each page-turn, the simple rhyming text pairs perfectly with heartwarming illustrations that are sure to make this one a bedtime favorite.

Need more summer titles? Try out “Pignic” written and illustrated by Matt Phelan (2018, Greenwillow Books) and “Taking a Walk: Summer at the Seashore” written by Sue Tarsky and illustrated by Claire Lordon (2019, Albert Whitman & Co.)

Happy reading!