You can help your child keep up the progress they’ve made at school during the long summer break by encouraging them to read every day. We’ve put together our favourite titles for babies and children up to age 11 about the summer. It’s never too early to get your little one interested in books!
Baby to 3 years
Kiki and Bobo's Sunny Day by Yasmeen Ismail
Your child can join bouncy Kiki and shy Bobo for a day at the seaside in this interactive lift-the-flap story, perfect for very young children.
Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andrae and David Wojtowycz
Bursting with bright illustrations and packed with sea creatures including sharks, whales, octopi and more! This bestselling picture book is a delight to read aloud and share with young children.
Busy Airport by Rebecca Finn
Busy Airport is full of interactive fun. The simple push or pull of a tab in this chunky, interactive board book can cause all sorts of amazing things to happen: bags go round the carousel, helicopters take off and aeroplanes fly through the clouds!
Spot Goes on Holiday by Eric Hill
This lift-the-flap book follows Spot as he heads to the beach with his family. The book has colourful illustrations, large font and a simple story which will entertain very young children.
Ages 3 to 5 years
You Can't Take an Elephant on Holiday by Patricia Cleveland-Peck
A cheetah in charge of a camper van? Rhinos rampaging round the campsite? Meerkats playing minigolf? This riotous book features all sorts of crazy creatures that you would definitely NOT want to take on your holiday!
What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside by Julia Donaldson
The clever little ladybird is off on a trip to the seaside, but those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to their wicked ways again. This time they're planning to steal the mermaid's hair and sell it to a famous star. Luckily, the crime-busting ladybird has a clever plan to stop the thieves . . .
Martha Maps it Out by Leigh Hodgkinson
Your child can join Roger Hargreaves’ beloved characters on their summer holiday with this fun, colourful book. Plus, can they spot where Walter the worm is hiding?
Look What I Found at the Seaside by Moira Butterfield
Set off on an adventure to find treasure, from swirly sea shells to mysterious mermaid's purses, then learn more about each object with richly-illustrated and informative nature notes. Packed full of fascinating facts alongside a gentle rhyming narrative and encouraging children to get outside and explore their surroundings.
Ages 5 to 8 years
A Beach Tail by Karen Lynn Williams
Gregory draws a lion in the sand. But the sandy lion grows a tail that gets longer and longer—and soon Gregory is lost on the beach. Rhythmic text and brilliant illustrations reveal a trip down the beach entirely from a child's point of view.
Frankie’s Magic Football Summer Holiday Showdown by Frank Lampard
Frankie and his team love playing football, but what will happen when their magic football sends them back in time?
In Focus: Cities by Libby Walden
Your child can travel the world with this super-sized book, which delves into the cultural, social and historical stories of 10 world-famous cities.
My Brother's Famous Bottom Makes a Splash! by Jeremy Strong
Nicholas and his family are off on holiday to Turkey! But rest and relaxation are not on the cards… Your child will laugh out loud at this wacky holiday adventure.
Ages 9 to 12 years
Bright Star by Jenny Oldfield
When 12-year-old Morgan is sent to her aunt's ranch in the Rockies for the summer, she has no idea that she will forge a bond that will last her lifetime.
The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali and Benjamin Chaud
It’s the first day back after the holidays and the teacher wants to know what the pupils have been up to on their summer break. This book is a fast-paced, illustrated summer adventure that's so unbelievable, it just might be true!
The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters by Kara LaReau and Jen Hill
The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters will captivate older readers looking for humour, hijinks, and a swashbuckling good time.
Children's Discovery Atlas by Anita Ganieri and Sara Lynn Cramb
Your child can explore the whole world in one book with this beautiful atlas. Each page includes ‘sight-seeing’ features as well as lots of facts about every place on the globe.
