Kids Picks
Summer, Summer, Summertime! The three best words that are music to my ears. We are in the last month of summer and if you haven’t already, it’s time to make the most of it! Enjoy the lazy beach days, soak in the sun, and enjoy every second you have free until school starts again. Here are some great books to sink into during your free time.
Ages 3-5
“The Smart Cookie” by Jory John, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)
“The Smart Cookie” delivers a warm and whimsical tale about finding confidence and redefining what it means to be smart. The latest installment in the best-selling “Food Group” series follows a cookie who feels like she just doesn’t measure up in a bakery full of overachievers. Surrounded by cupcakes and croissants who always seem to have the right answers, she begins to doubt herself until a creative project helps her discover that intelligence comes in many forms. With trademark humor and heart, Jory John and illustrator Pete Oswald tackle big themes like self-esteem and social anxiety in a way that’s accessible and uplifting for young readers.
“Hot Dog” by Doug Salati
“Hot Dog” is a sun-soaked, soul-soothing escape in picture-book form. When the hustle and bustle of a scorching city summer becomes too much for one overwhelmed dachshund, his caring owner whisks him away by taxi, train, and ferry to the coast. There, on the open beach with sand between his paws and salt air in his nose, this little pup finally finds peace. Winner of the 2023 Caldecott Medal, “Hot Dog” is a beautifully illustrated and quietly powerful story about overstimulation, rest, and the healing power of nature.
Ages 6-8
“The Wild Robot on the Island” by Peter Brown
Roz the robot makes her picture-book debut in “The Wild Robot on the Island, “a beautifully illustrated retelling of Peter Brown’s best-selling novel, “The Wild Robot.” Stranded on an unfamiliar island after a shipwreck, Roz finds herself far from the factory floor she was built for. With no instructions and no one like her in sight, she must learn how to survive in the wild by observing, listening, and slowly becoming part of the natural world around her. Whether you’re meeting Roz for the first time or revisiting her from the original chapter book series, this picture book is a heartfelt introduction to a modern classic that is ideal for sparking conversations about nature, technology, and what it means to belong.
“How to Catch a Mermaid” by Adam Wallace
Dive into an imaginative, splashy adventure in “How to Catch a Mermaid,” part of the best-selling “How to Catch” series. Full of vibrant illustrations by Andy Elkerton and whimsical rhymes, this undersea escapade invites readers to join a group of kids determined to outsmart a clever mermaid using a series of inventive traps and sparkly bait. With playful nods to STEM and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book is a hit for young readers who love magical creatures, tricky challenges, and ocean-themed fun. Whether shared during story time, gifted for special occasions, or added to a classroom collection, this lighthearted romp is sure to delight readers and keep them dreaming of the sea long after the final page. For anyone who’s ever wondered how you’d go about catching a mermaid, this book has a few ideas (and a lot of surprises)!
Ages 9-12
“Snoop” by Gordon Korman
In “Snoop,” Gordon Korman blends humor, suspense, and just the right touch of mischief into a fast-paced middle-grade mystery that keeps readers hooked. Carter didn’t plan to become a full-time snoop; it just sort of happened after a skiing accident left him stuck at home with two broken legs and way too much free time. What starts as harmless boredom relief, tuning in to public surveillance feeds, quickly turns into an obsession, especially when Carter stumbles upon something suspicious happening right in his own town. As he digs deeper, spying on classmates and neighbors alike, Carter uncovers secrets he never expected and learns that snooping might come with consequences. Because when you’re watching other people, someone might just be watching you back.
“Tyger” by SF Said
“Tyger” is a fast-moving and deeply imaginative tale that blends fantasy, history, and heart into a powerful adventure. Set in a richly reimagined London where the British Empire never fell, the story follows Adam and Zadie, two kids who stumble upon a mythical creature hidden in the city’s trash: a tyger. But this isn’t just a chance encounter. The tyger is in danger, and so is the very fabric of their world. As secrets unravel and magical doors beckon with the promise of strange new powers, Adam and Zadie must race against time to understand their place in a conflict much larger than themselves. With sweeping themes of justice, courage, and unity, “Tyger” offers readers a glimpse into a fractured world and the hope that it can be made whole.
