It’s finally summer! Here in Michigan, we’ve already had some random really hot days this spring, but now we’re going through a stretch of mid-70s weather, which feels absolutely perfect. Give me sunshine, open windows, and comfortable temperatures, and I’m happy.
One of my favorite little seasonal traditions is switching out our bookshelf. I love creating a new collection of books that reflects the season we’re in, and our summer bookshelf might be one of my favorites. This year, I filled it with nature books about ponds, butterflies, bees, and gardening, along with some funny stories, classics, and adventure books that make us want to get outside and explore.
For us, summer is all about being outdoors—tending to our flower and veggie garden, checking out the fish in our little water barrel pond, doing fun summer crafts, going camping, going to the beach, swimming, riding bikes, having campfires, taking trips, and enjoying little adventures together. These books pair perfectly with all of those simple summer moments.
And if you’re looking for even more ideas to make the most of the season, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Bucket List, with a free printable, it’s filled with simple activities, crafts, and adventures for kids and families.
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Summer Books + Activities
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
This beautifully illustrated book takes readers on a journey through a pond ecosystem, showing what happens both above and below the water’s surface. The story introduces children to fish, frogs, insects, and plants while teaching them about the interconnectedness of nature. It’s one of my favorite books for inspiring curiosity and slowing down to notice the little things around us.
Activity idea: Go on a pond walk or create a simple nature journal page and draw or write about the plants and animals you discover.
The Hike by Alison Farrell
Three friends head out on a hike and document everything they find along the way. It’s adventurous, sweet, and encourages children to observe the natural world with wonder and excitement. The illustrations are beautiful and make you want to lace up your shoes and head outside.
Activity idea: Take a family nature hike and make a scavenger hunt using leaves, flowers, insects, and rocks.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is excited to jump off the diving board… until he gets there and realizes he’s nervous. This is such a wonderful story about courage, perseverance, and finding confidence to try something new. It’s especially relatable during the summer when kids are often learning new skills and stepping outside their comfort zones.
Activity idea: Spend an afternoon swimming or challenge everyone to try something new this summer.
A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston
This gorgeous nonfiction picture book teaches children all about butterflies and their incredible life cycles. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and the facts are presented in a way that feels engaging and accessible. It’s the perfect book for slowing down and appreciating the beauty of nature.
Activity idea: Put out a butterfly house or plant pollinator-friendly flowers and see what butterflies visit your yard throughout the summer.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
This book beautifully explains what happens both above and below the soil in a garden throughout the seasons. Children learn that while flowers and vegetables are growing above ground, an entire world of insects and creatures is busy below the surface. It always leaves us excited to get our hands in the dirt.
Activity idea: Let each child paint their own flower pot and plant seeds inside. Then spend the summer watching and caring for what grows.
Frog and Toad Storybook Favorites by Arnold Lobel
These classic friendship stories are funny, gentle, and timeless. Frog and Toad always remind me of slow summer days and simple adventures with people you love. The short stories make this book perfect for reading one chapter at a time.
Activity idea: Get a tadpole growing kit and watch the tadpoles change over time. It’s such a fun, hands-on way to observe the life cycle of a frog and see science happening right before your eyes. (This kit on Amazon looks great!)
A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston
This beautifully illustrated book explores all kinds of animal nests and the many purposes they serve. Children learn that nests can look incredibly different depending on the animal that builds them. It’s one of those books that encourages kids to pay closer attention to the world around them.
Activity idea: Make your own birdhouse or bird feeder and hang it outside. Then spend the summer watching to see what kinds of birds stop by. (This DIY birdhouse has everything to make your own beautiful bird house.)
Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray
This charming story explains pollination and the important relationship between flowers and pollinators in a way kids can easily understand. The rhythmic text and beautiful illustrations make it both educational and enjoyable. It’s a wonderful reminder that even the smallest creatures play an important role in nature.
Activity idea: Plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies or go on a pollinator walk to see what insects you can spot.
The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall
Told with lyrical text and stunning illustrations, this book follows a honeybee through her busy day collecting nectar and pollinating flowers. It gives children a new appreciation for these tiny but incredibly important creatures. The illustrations alone make this one worth reading again and again.
Activity ideas: Set up a bee house in your yard or garden and plant flowers that attract pollinators. It’s a simple way to help support local bee populations while learning more about these amazing insects.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
This hilarious classic imagines a town where food falls from the sky instead of rain. The silly premise always gets kids laughing and encourages them to use their imaginations. It’s one of those stories that naturally leads to fun conversations and creative thinking.
Activity idea: Make a weather craft, have a picnic, or create your own imaginary weather forecast and decide what food you’d want falling from the sky.
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
This rhyming adventure follows Mr. Magee and his dog, Dee, on a camping trip that doesn’t go quite as planned. The story is funny, engaging, and full of adventure, making it a favorite summer read-aloud. The playful illustrations make you want to pack up and head outdoors.
Activity idea: Set up a backyard campout, roast marshmallows, and tell stories around a campfire.
There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake by Loren Long
This cumulative story introduces children to the many plants and animals that live in and around a lake ecosystem. The repetitive text makes it especially fun to read aloud and encourages participation from younger listeners. It’s a wonderful way to introduce children to pond and lake habitats.
Activity idea: Visit a lake, make nature observations, or draw the different plants and animals you discover together.
One of my favorite things about seasonal bookshelves is that they encourage us to slow down and notice the little things happening around us. A simple picture book often leads to a nature walk, a craft, a new question, or an unexpected adventure. These books have become one of our favorite ways to celebrate each season together.
💬 Tell me in the comments: What books are on your summer bookshelf this year? Do you have a favorite summer read-aloud that your family comes back to again and again?
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