Make this summer unforgettable with a list of beach and summer-themed books for children. These wonderful stories are perfect for young readers, whisking them away to sandy shores, playful waves, and sunny adventures. Whether it's making new friends by the sea, discovering underwater treasures, or enjoying the simple joys of summer, these books will inspire imagination and bring the magic of the beach to life. Dive in and let the summer fun begin!
Enjoy these suggestions? Looking for a new book to read? Book Match is a book recommendation program offered through AC Library. Check out the website at the top of the list to go to the Book Match page.
Fill out a survey with information about your reading tastes, and one of our matchmakers will send you a personalized reading list within two weeks. You c...Show more
Fill out a survey with information about your reading tastes, and one of our matchmakers will send you a personalized reading list within two weeks. You can select a specific matchmaker, or you can fill out a general survey and one of the matchmakers will send you a list.
Show less
"When Gideon decides that he is going to build the most spectacular sandcastle anyone has ever seen without the help of his little sister Audrey, his day at the beach becomes a lesson in sibling bonding."
"When Gideon decides that he is going to build the most spectacular sandcastle anyone has ever seen without the help of his little sister Audrey, his day at the beach becomes a lesson in sibling bonding."
Show less
"When Gideon decides that he is going to build the most spectacular sandcastle anyone has ever seen without the help of his little sister Audrey, his day at the beach becomes a lesson in sibling bonding."
"When Gideon decides that he is going to build the most spectacular sandcastle anyone has ever seen without the help of his little sister Audrey, his day at the beach becomes a lesson in sibling bonding."
Show less
"A girl helps a crab with plastic wound around its claw while she is cleaning up a beach, and ends up inspiring others to take care of the beach as well."
"A girl helps a crab with plastic wound around its claw while she is cleaning up a beach, and ends up inspiring others to take care of the beach as well."
Show less
"A girl helps a crab with plastic wound around its claw while she is cleaning up a beach, and ends up inspiring others to take care of the beach as well."
"A girl helps a crab with plastic wound around its claw while she is cleaning up a beach, and ends up inspiring others to take care of the beach as well."
Show less
"Clem is an explorer, a collector, a protector of the seas! Treasure hunting on her beloved beach, she stumbles across Crab, his claw stuck in a plas...Show more
"Clem is an explorer, a collector, a protector of the seas! Treasure hunting on her beloved beach, she stumbles across Crab, his claw stuck in a plastic bag. Crab will be much safer and happier in the city with Clem, but doesn't he belong on the beach?A stunningly illustrated timely tale of cleaning up our beaches, with the message that every small action helps." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Clem is an explorer, a collector, a protector of the seas! Treasure hunting on her beloved beach, she stumbles across Crab, his claw stuck in a plas...Show more
"Clem is an explorer, a collector, a protector of the seas! Treasure hunting on her beloved beach, she stumbles across Crab, his claw stuck in a plastic bag. Crab will be much safer and happier in the city with Clem, but doesn't he belong on the beach?A stunningly illustrated timely tale of cleaning up our beaches, with the message that every small action helps." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Every day, in a house by the sea, a little boy watches his father leave for a long day's work. One night, a great storm washes a small whale onto th...Show more
"Every day, in a house by the sea, a little boy watches his father leave for a long day's work. One night, a great storm washes a small whale onto the beach. The boy discovers the whale is a good listener. The father discovers the boy is lonely. Together, they return the whale to the sea. And from that day on, the boy learns that the father can be a good listener too."
Show less
"Every day, in a house by the sea, a little boy watches his father leave for a long day's work. One night, a great storm washes a small whale onto th...Show more
"Every day, in a house by the sea, a little boy watches his father leave for a long day's work. One night, a great storm washes a small whale onto the beach. The boy discovers the whale is a good listener. The father discovers the boy is lonely. Together, they return the whale to the sea. And from that day on, the boy learns that the father can be a good listener too."
Show less
"Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy,...Show more
"Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. With endearing illustrations and a perfectly paced text that captures a timid pup's looping thoughts, here is a funny and honest read-aloud about how overwhelming the world can be when you're worried and how empowering it is to overcome your fears when it matters the most." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy,...Show more
"Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. With endearing illustrations and a perfectly paced text that captures a timid pup's looping thoughts, here is a funny and honest read-aloud about how overwhelming the world can be when you're worried and how empowering it is to overcome your fears when it matters the most." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Every day, a little girl rides to school on the back of her father’s bike. As they twist and turn through the streets, the little girl spreads her a...Show more
"Every day, a little girl rides to school on the back of her father’s bike. As they twist and turn through the streets, the little girl spreads her arms like wings and sings her birdsong for all to hear. But when they pass a strange woman in blue who carries a mysterious bag, the girl goes quiet until the woman is out of sight. One day, when they’re running late, the little girl discovers what the woman does with her bag each morning—a surprise that transforms her wariness into a feeling of kinship to be celebrated." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Every day, a little girl rides to school on the back of her father’s bike. As they twist and turn through the streets, the little girl spreads her a...Show more
"Every day, a little girl rides to school on the back of her father’s bike. As they twist and turn through the streets, the little girl spreads her arms like wings and sings her birdsong for all to hear. But when they pass a strange woman in blue who carries a mysterious bag, the girl goes quiet until the woman is out of sight. One day, when they’re running late, the little girl discovers what the woman does with her bag each morning—a surprise that transforms her wariness into a feeling of kinship to be celebrated." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Cora's sandcastle-building contest is canceled due to litter on the beach, but determined to save her favorite place she, along with a few friends, gets to work picking up single-use plastics that have washed onto shore."
"Cora's sandcastle-building contest is canceled due to litter on the beach, but determined to save her favorite place she, along with a few friends, gets to work picking up single-use plastics that have washed onto shore."
Show less
"Cora's sandcastle-building contest is canceled due to litter on the beach, but determined to save her favorite place she, along with a few friends, gets to work picking up single-use plastics that have washed onto shore."
"Cora's sandcastle-building contest is canceled due to litter on the beach, but determined to save her favorite place she, along with a few friends, gets to work picking up single-use plastics that have washed onto shore."
Show less
"Wearing her burkini to the community pool for the first time, Heba stands out more than she likes, but she shows her friends that she can swim and play the same way they can, even though her swimsuit looks different."
"Wearing her burkini to the community pool for the first time, Heba stands out more than she likes, but she shows her friends that she can swim and play the same way they can, even though her swimsuit looks different."
Show less
"Wearing her burkini to the community pool for the first time, Heba stands out more than she likes, but she shows her friends that she can swim and play the same way they can, even though her swimsuit looks different."
"Wearing her burkini to the community pool for the first time, Heba stands out more than she likes, but she shows her friends that she can swim and play the same way they can, even though her swimsuit looks different."
Show less
"If your mom says to get ready to play at the beach, she means with a boat, or a Frisbee, or a shovel. She is NOT talking about the piano. But Magnol...Show more
"If your mom says to get ready to play at the beach, she means with a boat, or a Frisbee, or a shovel. She is NOT talking about the piano. But Magnolia is a little girl with a big idea, determination, and one very heavy upright piano that, she insists, she needs to take with her. What's the worst that can happen? In a riotous series of mishaps, Magnolia quickly learns that--not surprisingly--a piano doesn't mix well with sand, sun, and seagulls!" (Goodreads)
Show less
"If your mom says to get ready to play at the beach, she means with a boat, or a Frisbee, or a shovel. She is NOT talking about the piano. But Magnol...Show more
"If your mom says to get ready to play at the beach, she means with a boat, or a Frisbee, or a shovel. She is NOT talking about the piano. But Magnolia is a little girl with a big idea, determination, and one very heavy upright piano that, she insists, she needs to take with her. What's the worst that can happen? In a riotous series of mishaps, Magnolia quickly learns that--not surprisingly--a piano doesn't mix well with sand, sun, and seagulls!" (Goodreads)
Show less
"Jules is going to build the biggest, the fanciest, and the most excellent sandcastle. Her sister will be so impressed.
But the ocean has other plan...Show more
"Jules is going to build the biggest, the fanciest, and the most excellent sandcastle. Her sister will be so impressed.
But the ocean has other plans.
Jules keeps building bigger, fancier, and more excellent castles, and waves keep smashing them.
And when the ocean takes her bucket, that is the final straw.
Jules is going to take a stand!" (Goodreads)
Show less
"Jules is going to build the biggest, the fanciest, and the most excellent sandcastle. Her sister will be so impressed.
But the ocean has other plan...Show more
"Jules is going to build the biggest, the fanciest, and the most excellent sandcastle. Her sister will be so impressed.
But the ocean has other plans.
Jules keeps building bigger, fancier, and more excellent castles, and waves keep smashing them.
And when the ocean takes her bucket, that is the final straw.
Jules is going to take a stand!" (Goodreads)
Show less
"Two fuzzy creatures are happily putting the finishing touches on their sandcastle when each of them thinks of something that would make it even bett...Show more
"Two fuzzy creatures are happily putting the finishing touches on their sandcastle when each of them thinks of something that would make it even better. As they work furiously to incorporate each new change, their tiny sandcastle becomes an over-the-top palace ... but is it really perfect?"
Show less
"Two fuzzy creatures are happily putting the finishing touches on their sandcastle when each of them thinks of something that would make it even bett...Show more
"Two fuzzy creatures are happily putting the finishing touches on their sandcastle when each of them thinks of something that would make it even better. As they work furiously to incorporate each new change, their tiny sandcastle becomes an over-the-top palace ... but is it really perfect?"
Show less
"Explore the beach in winter in this story told through clever language. During a sunset beach saunter , a girl stumbles and drops her doll into a ti...Show more
"Explore the beach in winter in this story told through clever language. During a sunset beach saunter , a girl stumbles and drops her doll into a tidal pool. Soaked! Celebrating the natural silence of an off-season location, the surf and sand are brought to life through this engaging story." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Explore the beach in winter in this story told through clever language. During a sunset beach saunter , a girl stumbles and drops her doll into a ti...Show more
"Explore the beach in winter in this story told through clever language. During a sunset beach saunter , a girl stumbles and drops her doll into a tidal pool. Soaked! Celebrating the natural silence of an off-season location, the surf and sand are brought to life through this engaging story." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Every summer, when Sora's Halmoni, or grandmother, visits from South Korea, the two of them take the bus to the beach to search for seashells. While...Show more
"Every summer, when Sora's Halmoni, or grandmother, visits from South Korea, the two of them take the bus to the beach to search for seashells. While Sora likes to take all of them back with her, Halmoni always leaves the prettiest shell for someone else to find and treasure. As summer turns to fall, Halmoni returns home and Sora starts kindergarten, where some of the kids tease her about her "weird" name. One day, Sora's parents receive a sad call about her grandmother, and Sora feels more lost than ever about who she is and how she fits in. But when her parents reveal the origin of her name, Sora channels a newfound pride and, inspired by Halmoni, combats her peers' hurtful comments by sharing her shells with everyone in her class."
Show less
"Every summer, when Sora's Halmoni, or grandmother, visits from South Korea, the two of them take the bus to the beach to search for seashells. While...Show more
"Every summer, when Sora's Halmoni, or grandmother, visits from South Korea, the two of them take the bus to the beach to search for seashells. While Sora likes to take all of them back with her, Halmoni always leaves the prettiest shell for someone else to find and treasure. As summer turns to fall, Halmoni returns home and Sora starts kindergarten, where some of the kids tease her about her "weird" name. One day, Sora's parents receive a sad call about her grandmother, and Sora feels more lost than ever about who she is and how she fits in. But when her parents reveal the origin of her name, Sora channels a newfound pride and, inspired by Halmoni, combats her peers' hurtful comments by sharing her shells with everyone in her class."
Show less
"It's beach day in Soggy Hollow! Everyone is enjoying fun in the sun - everyone, that is, except for Bruce. It's too hot, too sandy, and too windy! B...Show more
"It's beach day in Soggy Hollow! Everyone is enjoying fun in the sun - everyone, that is, except for Bruce. It's too hot, too sandy, and too windy! Bruce's favorite thing about summer? Doing nothing. In the shade. Where it's cool. Bruce's second favorite thing about summer? When it turns to fall."
Show less
"It's beach day in Soggy Hollow! Everyone is enjoying fun in the sun - everyone, that is, except for Bruce. It's too hot, too sandy, and too windy! B...Show more
"It's beach day in Soggy Hollow! Everyone is enjoying fun in the sun - everyone, that is, except for Bruce. It's too hot, too sandy, and too windy! Bruce's favorite thing about summer? Doing nothing. In the shade. Where it's cool. Bruce's second favorite thing about summer? When it turns to fall."
Show less
"Bella loves the beach.
She loves the flip and flop slap of her feet on the sand.
She loves the crash, crash, crash of the ocean waves.
And she lov...Show more
"Bella loves the beach.
She loves the flip and flop slap of her feet on the sand.
She loves the crash, crash, crash of the ocean waves.
And she loves the gentle shush, shush of the beach umbrella in the breeze.
But a rainstorm hits and Bella’s perfect family beach day is ruined.
This day is a rainy, awful mess!
But maybe a little imagination, and a loving family, can show Bella that a beach day at home can be its own special kind of fun." (Goodreads)
Show less
"Bella loves the beach.
She loves the flip and flop slap of her feet on the sand.
She loves the crash, crash, crash of the ocean waves.
And she lov...Show more
"Bella loves the beach.
She loves the flip and flop slap of her feet on the sand.
She loves the crash, crash, crash of the ocean waves.
And she loves the gentle shush, shush of the beach umbrella in the breeze.
But a rainstorm hits and Bella’s perfect family beach day is ruined.
This day is a rainy, awful mess!
But maybe a little imagination, and a loving family, can show Bella that a beach day at home can be its own special kind of fun." (Goodreads)
Show less
ACL_BookMatch
ACL_BookMatch
