Valerie Kohler, owner of the Blue Willow Bookshop, hand picks books to foster the love of reading in children of all ages. For more of her faves, visit www.BlueWillowBookshop.com.
Baby/Toddler:
Seek & Peek Farm by Elizabeth Golding
(Barrons, 2018)
Everyone is going to the farm this summer. Flip the flaps and guess who’s coming up next. Even the smallest will be entertained.
Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander
(North, South Books, 2018)
Two cool frogs head to the beach, but one frog wants to keep reading. It’s a joyous romp and ode to the power of a good book.
On My Beach by Sara Gillingham
(Chronicle Books, 2015)
Little ones will enjoy the crab finger puppet in this board book about oceans and tidepools and snuggling together in the sand.
Emerging Reader:
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats To Read by Chris Manley
(Simon & Schuster, 2016)
During the summer, Nick visits the library, writes and illustrates stories and tries to teach his cats, Verne and Stevenson, to read. There’s always an adventure!
A Stone For Sascha by Aaron Becker
A young girl’s beloved pet has died, and she grieves as the family goes on summer vacation in this moving wordless book about the power of stories.
Lola Levine And The Vacation Dream by Angela Dominguez
(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017)
In this fun travelogue for young readers, Lola learns a lot as she goes on the trip of a lifetime to visit her aunt in Peru.
Tweens:
Summerlost by Ally Condie
(Puffin Books, 2017)
In this lovely quiet novel, Cedar heals after the loss of her father and brother with the help of a new friend and some mysterious gifts.
Lemons by Melissa Savage
(Random House Children’s Books, 2017)
In a new town for the summer, Lem joins her neighbor, Tobin, in his Bigfoot Detectives, Inc. where fast paced adventure keeps them busy.
Teens:
The Unlikelies by Carrie Firestone
(Little, Brown Books For Young Readers, 2018)
After a brutal attack at her summer job at the farmers market, Sadie and her friends, the unlikelies,” band together to fight evil with good.
The Summer of Broken Things by Margaret Peterson Haddix
(Simon & Schuster, 2018)
Formerly good friends, Avery and Kayla begrudgingly travel to Spain together for a summer vacation where they uncover a secret their families have kept hidden from them.
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
(Simon & Schuster, 2017)
In this light, breezy summer romance, Audie’s summer plans change when her father’s political scandal, a dog walking job, and meeting Clark bring chaos to her life.
