Mermaids, Sharks, and Sailboats, OH MY!

Picture books to inspire your summer reading challenge plus some recent book mail.

When we went to the library in May, the end of the school year was on my mind. Summer for us means lots of trips to the pool, a family beach getaway to the beach, sleepaway camp, and buying back-to-school supplies before we’ve even thought about getting out of our routine. My goal is always to check out as many books as will fit in our giant tote bag. Books with boats, fish, mermaids, and water on the cover caught my eye. I also ended up with a handful of books featuring some shared special interests at this stage of life. While most of these are picture books geared toward preschool and early elementary age kids, there’s one graphic novel thrown into the mix, and of course, you can read these at any age! Several made me chuckle out loud. I hope you’ll find some backlist titles in this list that are available at your local library to check out this month!

Most of these are backlist titles from the library but I’ve linked to Bookshop.org when available below. Every purchase through Bookshop.org supports independent booksellers and puts a few pennies in my pocket at no extra cost to you.

Encounter by Brittany Luby

Based on the real journal kept by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1534, Encounter imagines a first meeting between a French sailor and a Stadaconan fisher. As they navigate their differences, the wise animals around them note their similarities, illuminating common ground.

Frank and Izzy Set Sail by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Frank and Izzy Set Sail is a charming story about a somewhat mismatched duo and their adventure away from home. The story illustrates the fine art of being a good friend — and still being yourself.

Off & Away by Cale Atkinson

How would you get mail if you lived in the middle of the sea? It's Jo's dad's job to deliver it, taking bottles wherever they need to go. He always comes home with exciting stories to tell--but Jo is far too afraid to go out on the ocean herself. Until Dad gets a bad sea cold, that is. With no one but Jo to deliver the bottles, she must find her courage and set sail alone.

Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer

Olivia takes her discerning eye for style to beautiful Venice on a family vacation that involves dodging pigeons in the Piazza San Marco, gorging on gelato, and barely staying afloat in a gondola.

On Sand Island by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

This picture book about a family living on an island in Lake Superior is so finely honed and concisely written that it reads like poetry. A boy named Carl wants nothing more than to be out on the water in a boat of his own making, just like his dad, a fisherman. So at its heart, this is a story of sawing, nailing, and sanding set in the early 1900s. It reminded me a lot of my grandparents who lived near Lake Huron and made me feel nostalgic for my childhood summers.

Oona and the Shark by Kelly Dipucchio

Oona loves to share her inventions with her friends. But there’s one underwater creature who doesn’t seem to enjoy Oona’s company, or her creations— Stanley the shark! Oona’s latest hopping, chopping, and popping inventions just make him angry. But mermaids never stop trying when there’s a friend out there to make.

Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña

When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, her wish has already come true--she's finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood where Carmela finds a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish. If only she can think of just the right wish to make…

Shelby and Watts: Tide Pool Troubles by Ashley Anstee

When Shelby gets a letter from Fred the hermit crab claiming that all the shells are missing from the beach, she and Watts are just the duo to help him. With Shelby's deductive skills and Watts's scientific knowledge, there's no case the two of them can't solve--one environmental mystery at a time! The first in a series of graphic novels.

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Crocodile loves watermelon, but what will happen when his greatest fear of swallowing a watermelon seed comes to pass? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? Only one thing is certain: his wild imagination will have kids laughing out loud and begging for another read.

Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor

Ursula is a happy catfish, swimming through a shimmering river with weeds waving above and a sky full of scrumptious bugs below. Then one question turns her world upside down. Children will love turning this unique book upside down and back again as they follow Ursula’s humorous journey to self-discovery.

Mermaids Are the Worst! by Alex Willan

Who doesn’t love a good vacation? Soaking up some sun, floating on the waves and…arm wrestling an octopus? When mermaids show up in the middle of Gilbert’s goblin getaway, their fin-flapping festivities quickly turn rest and relaxation into stress and aggravation.

Everyone's Awake by Colin Meloy

A simple goodnight routine turns marvelously madcap in this cleverly rhymed picture book. Instead of settling down to sleep, Dad bakes bread, Mom fixes the roof, and Grandma plays cards with a ghost. And between the dog, the cat, Sister, and Brother, there's at least three different wars being waged! Sound like bedtime at anyone else’s house? This is the perfect read-aloud for kids who struggle to settle down for bed.

Family Is a Superpower by Michael Dahl

In this book, the diverse family structures of the World's Greatest Heroes mirror the lives of real-life children and their equally diverse families, showing that family is the greatest superpower. My (almost) 4-year-old son’s favorite from our stack.

Fire Truck vs. Dragon by Chris Barton

When the fire-breathing ruler of the skies and the fearless fire truck go head to head in an epic battle of fire vs water, who will win? But wait, is it actually a competition? Their rivalry takes unexpected turns as these two unlikely friends face off at a campfire, a birthday party, and more with unexpected results.

I Am Picky: Confessions of a Fussy Eater by Kristen Tracy

Don’t look at this raccoon and think she’ll eat just anything. Oh, no. She is picky! She’s been choosy forever—and listen, it’s a tough life. It’s not as though the perfect snacks just fall from the sky (except when they do). You’ve got to work to find the sourest milk, the crunchiest bumblebees, and the most delicious trash. Snacking while picky is a real challenge sometimes…but you never know where you’ll find the tastiest treats to try!

Nighttime Ninja by Barbara Dacosta

Late at night, when all is quiet and everyone is asleep, a ninja creeps silently through the house in search of treasure. Soon he reaches his ultimate goal...and gets a big surprise! Will the nighttime ninja complete his mission? What this book lacks in text, it makes uip for in imagination. I loved the illustration style.

Grow: Secrets of Our DNA by Nicola Davies

This child-friendly book explains how all living things grow. The way they grow, whether it be fast or slow, enormous or not so big, helps them survive. But growing is also about change: when people grow, they become more complicated and able to do more things, and they don’t have to think about it, because bodies come with instructions, or DNA. I had to pick this one up to share with my husband since he’s teaching Biology next school year!

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💌Take a peek inside some recent book mail…

Thanks to engaged readers like you, I’m incredibly lucky to occasionally be sent free book mail from some of my favorite publishers. This month, we were gifted another book in a series that we collect, and two that I shared with family. Keep scrolling to take a peek inside some recent book mail.

A Field Guide to Summer, the latest installment in the Wild by Nature series, is a beautifully illustrated introduction to the delights of Summer, filled with hands-on activities, poetry, and fascinating facts about nature and animals. The book is written by Gabby Dawnay and illustrated by Dorien Brouwer.

The Incredible 3D Bug Hunt is a fun and informative search-and-find adventure that uses interactive 3D technology (with an included pair of 3D glasses) to introduce young children to the wonderful world of insects. The book is written and illustrated by Peggy Nile.

The Braniac’s Book of the Internet written by Larissa Suzuki and illustrated by Harriet Russell combines science, data, and activities to explain how the internet and computers work, as well as featuring online safety tips for kids.

The Glasshouse, the latest book from Hélène Druvert, features Holly, a daydreamer who loves to wander the city streets. She collects fallen leaves, stray flowers, and found feathers in her red notebook, and marvels at the tiny treasures that bring a spot of brightness to her day before going to sleep each night. With the help of books and newfound friends, Holly sets out to bring the vegetation inside the glasshouse back to its former glory. Together they create their own secret garden and spread its blooming potential across the gray city.

In Nini at the Carnival, author and artist Errol Lloyd’s instantly recognizable mixed-media illustrations remain timeless in this new hardcover edition of the book. Every year on Carnival Day, the streets fill with a whirl of color and sound as people wear their wildest costumes and pick up their musical instruments to celebrate with a grand parade. When the big day arrives, everyone is excited! Except for Nini: she doesn’t have a costume, so she is sad and feels that she cannot join in on the fun. All of a sudden, a familiar-looking fairy godmother gives Nini a beautiful piece of colorful cloth that lets Nini join the celebration and become Queen of the Carnival!

Unofficial Taylor Swift Eras (The Sticker Version) by Workman Kids: A must-have sticker book filled with 1,100+ stickers representing Taylor Swift’s 11 eras and more! I was tempted to keep these for my journal but decided to share with my daughter so she can do some creative journaling at camp.

There Are Dads Way Worse Than You by Glenn Boozan is the perfect gift for Father’s Day to remind dad that he’s doing a great job (at least compared to the likes of pop culture and historical dads, like Darth Vader and Walter White).

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Some Newsletters from the Archives to inspire your library holds…

Featuring more picture book suggestions from years past:

Hoping you make the time to read aloud together,

Elsewhere on the Internet: Goodreads / Storygraph / Pinterest

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