As a follow up to our Summer Reading Guide for Moms, we decided to put together a Summer Reading Guide for Kids, with recommendations from some of our moms across the country that make up The Local Moms Network. Check out their picks and freshen your reading routine this summer!
Escargot by Dashka Slater
Recommended by: Kristin Hoang, Newport Mesa Moms
“An adorable story about a french snail who is sad that nobody ever says their favorite animal is the snail. Clever and funny with some interactive parts. You will never look at snail slime the same way again.”
Dear Girl by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal
Recommended by: Sarah Paddack, Libertyville Area Moms
“Dear Girl is written by a local mother daughter duo. The story is written as a letter to remind the special girl in your life just how loved they are, and to provide helpful tips to guide them through life. Amy Krouse Rosenthal wrote over 30 pictures books and sadly passed away in 2017 right after she wrote the essay “You May Want to Marry My Husband” which reached millions of readers. Paris released this book she co-wrote with her mother and it reached #1 on the NY Times picture book bestseller list. My four year old daughter loves the illustrations and always listens intently when I read this special book. Also look for the newly release companion Dear Boy by Paris Rosentg & her father Jason Rosenthal.”
Sarah also wanted to share:
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
“My seven year old son and I have loved reading these books together for years! They are the first chapter books we ever read together. He absolutely loves listening and using his imagination to picture the characters and scenes. It is nice that each chapter has a couple small pictures. We learn a little bit of history with each story, and each one builds off of the last. It has been so much fun to follow the adventures of Jack and Annie. We visited Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI which is a whimsical botanic garden with sections inspired by children’s books and got to sit in Jack & Annie’s magical tree house!”
Ouch! by Emily Briggs
Recommended by: Michelle Murphy, Capital District Moms
“A great book that teaches a toddler how to have a safe relationship with a dog.I did a Meet a Mom about the author.”
Sweet Dreams, Peter by Beatrix Potter
Recommended by: Heather Andres, The Denville Moms Network
“It is a great book for settling down before bed. There are super sweet rhymes that are catchy. I’ve memorized the book, and often repeat it to him during nap time.Our go to book to get him to fall asleep!”
Heather also recommends:
Never Touch a Dragon by Make Believe Ideas
“A dragon themed touch and feel book. It has a great rhyme that little ones can go along with and touch the different textures in the book! Great sensory/ touch and feel book!”
Angelina Ballerina & the Angelina series by Helen Craig and Katharine Holabird
Recommended by Meghan (and Isabelle!) Salonia, Newtown Moms
“My daughter’s recently become obsessed with Angelina Ballerina and the other books in that series written by Katherine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig. This is a classic series from my childhood about a little mouse who has a love for dancing and begins ballet lessons.”
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale
Recommended by: Ellie Ander, Chicago North Shore Moms
“My finicky third grade reader loves these books! They are historical fiction for children in a graphic novel format! He most recently read “Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, One Dead Spy” which was about the revolutionary war. He loved the adventure and suspense and could actually tell me about the book.”
You Wouldn’t Want to be a Worker on the Statue of Liberty by F. Watts
Recommended by: Briana Beaty, Palm Beach Moms
“We love to learn about destinations we will be traveling to soon. New York is on our agenda this summer and this has been a favorite for us lately, but really an American treasure that stands for so much more – good for all of us to appreciate.”
Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop
Recommended by: Amy Weber, Editor-in-chief for The Local Moms Network
“This new middle-grade (ages 8 to 12) graphic novel answers fan mail from heroes from the DC Comics world. If your tween is into superheroes, he or she will love this. For more insight into getting reluctant readers into books, read our interview with New York Times-bestselling author Michael Northrop.”