Are you looking for some joyous July children’s books to use with your students or child that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
The month of July is filled with some wonderful holidays and literacy experiences to explore. Some of these books you may have had the opportunity to read. Hopefully, some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. From the patriotic holiday of the 4th of July into the heat of the summer, read these engaging books and try some of the extension activities suggested.
1. The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh
What happened on the Fourth of July long ago? The author takes young readers back to revolutionary times. Kids learn about the freedom that was wanted and the creation of the Declaration of independence.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “On the 4th of July”
- “All About the 4th of July” Facts Student Booklet
- Birthday Venn Diagram: 4th of July & Your Birthday
- Patriotic Short Vowel Games
2. Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney by Leslie Kimmelman
A perfect book to celebrate the 4th of July. Jenny Sweeney gives her dog a bath to prepare for the big parade. The watercolor images are bright and colorful. The author educates the readers about the birthday of the United States.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Why We Have the 4th of July” Classroom Book
- “How Many Stars?” Student Booklet
- Star Man Art Project
- July 4th Roll & Cover
3. Summer is Here! by Heidi Pross Gray
Summer is a time of year when nature is bursting. From picking blueberries to taking a trip to the beach or ocean there is so much to learn about summer. This rhyming book has wonderful watercolor illustrations that take you on a summer adventure.
Literacy Extensions:
- Summer Word Bank
- “My Summer” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram: Winter & Summer
- Summer Build a Word Center Game
4. The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing
A little girl and her family are getting ready to go vacation. They need to pack everything that will be needed for their trip, is there something that they forgot? Your children will love this rhyming story about summer vacation.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Summer
- Summer Student Booklet
- Summer Letter & Sound Match
- Summer Math Dice Games
5. Beach by Elisha Cooper
This book begins in the morning with a quiet beach and rolling waves. As the day progresses the beach fills with people until eventually people leave and the beach is quiet again. Each watercolor image tells their own little story.
Literacy Extensions:
- “The Beach” Classroom Book
- Beach Day Graphic Organizer
- Beach Make A Short Vowel Word Family
- Beach Ball Two Addend Addition & Subtraction
6. At the Beach by Anne & Harlow Rockwell
In this beautiful story and little girl visits the beach with her mom. She learns about all the fun things you can do at the beach. From playing in the sand, hunting for shells, and taking a swim she finds the beach is a wonderful place to be.
Literacy Extensions:
- “At the Beach” Classroom Book
- Beach Sight Word Match Game
- Beach Ball Counting Games
- Beach Ball Art Project
7. Tickly Octopus by Ruth Galloway
A wonderful story of an octopus who lives in the sea and loves to tickle his friends. Octopus thought tickling was fun, but some of the other sea creatures did not like to be tickled. In this adventure octopus discovers he has many other talents other than tickling.
Literacy Extensions:
- “The Octopus” Classroom Book
- “How Many Octopus” Student Counting Booklet
- Venn Diagram: Tickly & Real Octopus
- Toilet Paper Roll Octopus
8. An Octopus is Amazing by Patricia Lauber
Read and find out some amazing facts about the octopus in this nonfiction picture book. This wonderful creature can change colors, can swim facts, and has 1.920 suction cups! The amusing and colorful drawings enhance the book and are a perfect match for the text.
Literacy Extensions:
- Octopus Word Bank
- “Octopus Facts” Student Booklet
- Paper Bag Octopus Facts Art Project
- Octopus Counting Match Game
Grab a free, “My Summer” Student Booklet Here!
Finally, there are so many joyous July children’s books you can choose from. You could read about the holidays of 4th of July or try the summer themed books. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
