Are you looking for some Summer children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Summer children’s books are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Summer books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you love the Summer or not, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Summer is Here! By Heidi Pross Gray
Explore nature and have an adventure together with this book. Summer is a time when nature is bursting at the seams. You can pick blueberries and see a caterpillar grow from an egg to a butterfly.
Take a trip to the lake or beach with your family. Peek under rocks, look up in the trees, or dive into the water! There is so much to learn and so much to discover together when you read this book all about summer!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Summer”
- I See Summer Number & Color Word Student Booklet
- Summer Beach Ball Art Project
- Summer Counting Math Games
2. Mama, Is It Summer Yet? By Nikki McClure
Young children see the passage of time through the seasonal changes to the world around them in this charming book. The illustrator shows summer through extraordinary cut-paper art.
A little boy who can’t wait for summer keeps asking his mama, “Is it summer yet?” Mama says, “Not yet, little one,” then points to the signs that spring is turning to summer. These include the softening of the earth, the nest building of squirrels, and the singing of birds.
She encourages her son to savor the beauty of spring. The wonderful images of nature and the joys of family and the outdoors are shown, creating a book that is both timeless and fresh.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: In The Summer
- Venn Diagram Summer & Winter Graphic Organizer
- Summer Symbol & Sound Match Game
- Summer Roll & Cover Dice Math Game
3. Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee
The focus of this book is in appreciating the small but special details that define the season of summer. On a hot summer day, a little girl finds ways to entertain herself and stay cool. She catches a butterfly, sips lemonade, jumps in a pool, and goes on a picnic.
At night, she sees an owl in a tree and a frog in a pond, and hears leaves rustling. Before long, she’s fast asleep, dreaming about more summer days and summer nights.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Summer”
- Student Booklet: “Summer”
- Summer Counting: How Many Summer BOOM Cards
- My Summer Story: Student Worksheets
4. I See Summer by Charles Ghigna
This counting book contains brilliantly colored illustrations. It also adds a rhyming description of things associated with the season of summer.
Pea pods, cucumbers, and strawberries provide plenty of opportunities for counting in the garden! Follow Dad, Grandma, and other family members as they pick and count. Hidden numbers on every page give readers an opportunity to search and learn.
Literacy Extensions:
- Summer Literature List
- Summer Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Summer Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Campfire Art Project
5. Mouse’s First Summer by Lauren Thompson
A color learning book about summer! Mouse and Minka invite you to celebrate summer with a picnic in the park. Roll down the hill on tickly green grass. Fly kites fluttery high in the sky.
And don’t forget juicy watermelon!
But before it’s time to go home, a summer surprise sparkles in the sky.
CRACKLE, POP, BOOM! What’s making that sound?
Literacy Extensions:
- Summer Word Bank
- Summer Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Summer Season Booklet
- Summer Number & Ten Frames
6. The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing
A little girl and her family are getting ready to go on vacation, or at least they are trying to. In the effort to pack everything that will be needed, there’s bound to be something overlooked, and what that is provides a funny ending to this wonderful story.
With its beautiful artwork and word rhymes this book brings back memories of going on a family vacation.
Literacy Extensions:
- “In the Summer” Classroom Book
- Summer Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Summer Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Summer Roll & Cover Math Games
7. What’s a Season? Summer by Kelly Grettler
A book about summer from the series of season books from the author, Kelly Grettler. The beautiful pictures shows kids some fun things they might experience this time of year.
This could include cookouts and beautiful fireworks. Getting sunburn and swimming in pools. You can kick off your flip flops, grab some lemonade and try to stay cool!
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Summer” Classroom Book
- Summer Make a Short Vowel Word
- Summer Sight Word Game
- Summer Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Summer by Cao Wenxuan
During a hot summer day in the grasslands, a group of animals race to claim the single spot of shade. This lone spot is under one tiny leaf that clings to a branch. The animals fight until they are inspired by an act of love to offer shade to one another.
This is a beautifully illustrate book about animals learning how to share. They learn how to help each other and in the end solve their problem by working together.
Literacy Extensions:
- Summer Student Report
- Summer Patterns BOOM Cards
- Summer Letter & Sound Match Game
- Summer Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many summer children’s books you can choose from. From summer fiction to nonfiction, the list of books is endless. 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.”
