20 Picture Books to Read This Summer (Links and a Printable)

I know how it is. You go into the library and have no idea where to find wholesome books for your kids, so you either go to the sections you know like Berenstain Bears or Peter Rabbit and clear the shelves (Who can relate?), or you browse for far too long usually coming up with less than the best. Would a book list help?

I've been looking through a lot of book lists lately, and I've been disappointed with what I've seen. It seems like good values are getting lost in the effort to keep books "relevant" to the times we live in. Most book lists are filled with titles that have come out very recently, and in the meantime, really good titles are getting pushed out of the way and forgotten to make way for more modern books! Well, not to worry! Here is a list of 20 older picture books to read with your kids this summer.

I personally prefer picture books in hand, but if you don't have a library nearby, places you can access these titles online are noted along with links to purchase. (You'll probably want a few of these in your personal library.) Also, for your convenience, a printable version of the book list is available at the end of the post. Print it out and take it with you to the library, or hang it on your fridge and make it a goal to work through these books with your kids this summer! I so enjoy putting these together for you. I hope you find it helpful!

Book List With Links

Click on thumbnails or titles for amazon affiliate links. YouTube and Hoopla is also noted for each book. Keep in mind that YouTube quality is sometimes not the greatest.

A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke. 1994. A book about a silly old chicken who searches for the perfect hat to keep her warm in the snow. Ages 2-6. *Also check out other books in this humorous series: Minerva Louise, the Mixed-up Hen; Minerva Louise at School; Minerva Louise at the Fair. (Available on YouTube.)

A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman, il. by Betty Fraser. 1978. A sweet rhyming story about every kind of house you can possibly think of. Children will love looking at the pretty illustrations on each page! Ages 3-6. (Available on YouTube.)

A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry, il. by Marc Simont. 1956. Trees are beautiful, and are used for so many different things! Here you'll find everything a tree is good for! Simple text and watercolor images. Ages 4-8. (Available on YouTube.)

Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson. 1995. What letters can you find in the city? A fun “search and find” book with no words. Just look for the letters of the alphabet on each page. Ages 2-5. (Available on YouTube.)

Calvin Can’t Fly by Jennifer Burne, il. by Keith Bendis. 2010. Calvin is a book nerd bird who saves his family thanks to his knowledge about hurricanes. The other birds sometimes call him names like "Geeky beaky," but soon learn their mistake. Ages 4-8. (Available on YouTube.)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault il. By Lois Ehlert. 1989. An alphabet book with rhythm and rhyme. A very popular best seller that has been brought back into print. Ages 2-5. (Available on YouTube.)

City by Numbers by Stephen T Johnson. 1998. Can you find the hidden numbers on each page? By the same author and the same concept as the book Alphabet City above, but this time it's with numbers. Ages 2-5. (Available on YouTube.)

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, il. by Ron Barrett. 1978. What would it be like to live in a world where your food falls from the sky?! This is a ridiculous book, but the kids love it! Ages 4-8.(Available on YouTube.)

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert. 1989. Learn all about fruits and vegetables while learning the alphabet and the sounds. Ages 2-4. Free for Prime members on Kindle right now. (Available on YouTube.)

Guess How Much I Love You? by Sam McBratney il. By Anita Jeram. 1988. Can love really be measured? Perfect bedtime story with beautiful illustrations. Ages 2-5. *You may want to add this one to your personal library. It’s a special one! (Available on YouTube.)

Hand Rhymes by Marc T. Brown. 1985. Sweet illustrations and fourteen entertaining hand games for your toddlers to play. Animate rhymes like "Two Little Monkeys" and "Quack, Quack, Quack." Ages 2-4. (Couldn't find this one on a platform to watch.)

Have You Seen my Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri. 1984. Not too many words, but sweet illustrations and a hidden little duckling to find on every page. Caldecott Honor Book. Ages 1-5. *Personal Favorite. (Available on YouTube.)

I’m a Little Teapot written and il. by Iza Trapani. 1996. Love the illustrations! The whole story that comes after the familiar song lines. Ages 2-5. *The phrase “golly gee” is used. (Available on Hoopla and YouTube.)

In the Small, Small Pond written and illustrated by Denise Fleming. 1993. Who lives in the pond? This sweet little book is all about life in a pond throughout the seasons. Rhyming words and intriguing art. Caldecott Honor Book. Ages 1-3 (Available on Hoopla and YouTube.)

In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming. 1991. What happens in the grass? Follow the fuzzy yellow caterpillar through the tall tall grass on a sunny day to find out. Find the caterpillar hiding on every page! Ages 1-3. (Available on YouTube.)

Little Quack’s Hide and Seek by Lauren Thompson, il. by Derek Anderson. 2004. Sweet little book with fantastic illustrations about a Mama duck who plays hide and seek with her five little ducklings. Ages 3-5. (Available on YouTube.)

May We Sleep Here Tonight? by Tan Koide il. By Yasuko Koide. 1981. What are the gophers to do when they get lost in the woods? Gorgeous illustrations. Ages 2-6. *Personal favorite. Might want to add this one to your library if you can find it used. (Couldn't find this one on a platform to watch.)

One Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova, Il. by Ard Hoyt. 1999. This is such a fun rhyming book with fantastic illustrations. A girl and her dog set out on a canoe trip. How many more animals can they fit in the canoe? Ages 3-6. *The word “darn” is used. (Available on YouTube.)

The Dress I’ll Wear to the Party by Shirley Neitzel il. by Nancy Winslow Parker. 1992. Who doesn’t like getting all dressed up for a party? Just make sure you wear your own clothes! Ages 3-6. *The repeating in this book might drive you crazy if you're reading it aloud, but it's got a good ending. (Available on YouTube.)

You’re All My Favorites by Sam McBratney, Il. by Anita Jeram. 2004. The sweetest story of parents’ love for ALL of their children. We love the illustrations. Ages 2-5. *You may want to add this one to your library. (Available on YouTube.)

Printable Version

To be completely honest, this is the part I am most excited about! :) The list is fantastic here on the blog, but it's even better when you print it out! Here is the PDF version.

Let me know if you can think of any thing else to add to these book lists. I plan to put them out every year. Also, send me your favorite titles as well! I can use all the help I can get with finding the BEST books! Happy Reading!