My soon-to-be 4 year old LOVES reading. We probably read 5-10 books together every day, and she finds pockets of time in the day to go "read" on her own.
So with Summertime here, we decided to spruce up our reading list and add a few books to the rotation.
Each of the books was a hit: some I loved, some she loved, and most we both loved! We rated each one on a scale of 1-10, with 1 meaning we absolutely hated the book and 10 meaning we love it and read it all the time!
1. Bluey: The Pool
Join Bluey and her family on a trip to the pool that doesn't quite go according to plan, when Dad leaves without all the pool gear. This book is full of laughs and valuable lessons about the importance of listening and being prepared. It's also relatable in sooo many ways as a mom & parent!
I also love the price of these little Bluey books - under $4!
-
Mom’s Rating: 8/10. Fun, humorous, and a short read.
-
Toddler’s Rating: 8/10. She loves the book and has asked to read it many times already!
2. Summertime in the Big Woods
If you want to take a trip down Little House on the Prairie's Memory Lane, you will love this book. The illustrations are calming and delightful. We love reading about Mary & Laura gathering eggs, eating fresh honey, and visiting their neighbor during summertime.
-
Mom’s Rating: 9/10. The nostalgia alone makes me love this book. But it's an absolutely delightful read even if you didn't read the Little House books as a child.
-
Toddler’s Rating: 7/10. She loves the pictures and stories!
3. A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee
Join Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, on an adventurous camping trip that takes an unexpected turn when a near-sighted bear shows up.
-
Mom’s Rating: 8/10. Super cute, short read!
-
Toddler’s Rating: 6/10. She really enjoys the book, but doesn't seek it out like some others.
4. Curious About Ice Cream
The Smithsonian explores the wonderful world of ice cream in this sweet and historical fact-filled read. It's a perfect way to cool down and learn something new.
-
Mom’s Rating: 7/10. Would be a perfect read with kids of varying ages. It's filled with fun facts - not all of which are interesting to preschoolers.
-
Toddler’s Rating: 6/10. She likes all the pictures, but doesn't seek the book out.
5. The Berenstain Bears: Summer Fun
The Bear family is back with a collection of summer-themed stories that teach valuable lessons about family, friendship, and having fun in the sun.
-
Mom’s Rating: 6/10. The stories are a little long, but they're fun and I like that there are three stories in one!
-
Toddler’s Rating: 7/10. She loves the delightful stories and illustrations! This book is regularly sought after.
6. Bluey: The Beach
Join Bluey and her family on a beach adventure filled with fun, sun, and a little bit of magic. This book captures the joy of a day by the sea as Bluey goes on a walk.
-
Mom’s Rating: 6/10. I don't know why, but I don't feel like this book translates from the screen to the page very well.
-
Toddler’s Rating: 8/10. She loves the story! It's harder to follow along than some others in the series, but she loves it just as much.
7. Curious George Lemonade Stand
Curious George learns about business and teamwork as he sets up his very own lemonade stand. Fun and engaging, with an added opportunity to discuss fractions.
-
Mom’s Rating: 7/10. I love that we can talk about fractions in this short read.
-
Toddler’s Rating: 8/10. We had construction workers outside our house and she was determined to set up a stand just like George!
8. The Great Garden Escape
Two curious vegetables escape their garden to explore the world beyond the fence. This imaginative tale is sure to spark creativity and curiosity.
Bonus: This book is free if you have Kindle Unlimited
-
Mom’s Rating: 6/10. Would be an 8/10 if it were shorter.
-
Toddler’s Rating: 7/10. She really likes to flip through the pages of this book, and it really is a cute story!
9. The Berenstain Bears Lemonade Stand
Brother and Sister Bear learn the ups and downs of running a lemonade stand. This story offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship and working together.
-
Mom’s Rating: 7/10. A cute, short read!
-
Toddler’s Rating: 8/10. This has been one she asks to read again when we get to the end!
With this list, you and your preschooler are all set for a summer full of wonderful reading adventures! Happy reading!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase one of the books through a link in this post, I receive a very small commission on the sale, at no additional cost to you.