Looking for the best board books for summer reading with your little one? You’re in the right place! Whether you’re a new parent building your baby’s first library or a seasoned mom trying to keep toddlers busy during the hot summer days, this list is packed with joyful, age-appropriate children’s books that support early literacy in fun and meaningful ways.
We know that the early years are essential for building a strong foundation for reading, and board books are the perfect place to start. They’re durable, developmentally appropriate, and designed with little hands (and mouths!) in mind.
Let’s explore the must-have board books for summer reading that babies, toddlers, and preschoolers will love—plus a few extra tips to make your summer reading routine simple and memorable.
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Why Board Books Are a Must for Early Literacy
Board books are more than just cute and convenient—they’re purposefully designed to support early literacy development. The thick, sturdy pages are perfect for babies and toddlers who are still learning how to handle books. They often feature:
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High-contrast illustrations to support visual development
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Simple text to help build vocabulary
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Interactive elements like flaps or textures to keep little readers engaged
Reading board books daily lays a foundation for language skills, imagination, and a lifelong love of reading. Learn more about The Remarkable Importance of Reading to Babies in this post.
The Benefits of Reading with Babies and Toddlers
- Cognitive Growth: Hearing stories and seeing words and pictures boosts brain development and early language skills.
- Bonding Time: Snuggling up with a good book is one of the simplest ways to connect and create positive associations with reading.
- Imagination: Stories introduce new ideas, places, and perspectives, even for little ones.
- Routines: A bedtime story or morning read-aloud can become an anchor in your child’s daily rhythm.
Our Favorite Summer Board Books for Babies and Preschoolers
This curated list features children’s board books that feel like summer—full of color, adventure, and warmth. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the backyard, or just curling up indoors, these titles are perfect for summer reading with your baby or toddler.
In the Garden with Van Gogh
by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
Gardening is a special pastime during the summer months. It is a perfect place for kids to explore colors, smells, and textures. This board book featuring the art of Van Gogh allows you and your little one the chance to see rich, colorful gardens through the eyes of his unique style. Perhaps you might read it while exploring your own yard! See if you can find some of the same flowers.
This book is part of a collection of books that include other French masters: Degas, Matisse, and Monet. Check out the box set to share these artists with your child.
Baby Bear Sees Blue
by Ashley Wolff
This sweet little book is about a baby bear beginning to explore the great wide world with his mama. He notices and wonders about everything around him; always asking about the purpose or reason something has occurred. He’s asking the same questions your kids likely ask you: What is that sound? Why does that happen? Where is that from?
Mama Bear patiently answers each question. Then as Baby Bear observes, he focuses in on a color associated with his new findings.
Together, they explore the area surrounding their cavern and find many of the things we would experience during the summer months, including delicious red strawberries and a somber thunderstorm.
Carl’s Summer Vacation
by Alexandra Day
If you are familiar with the book Good Dog, Carl, and love the fun-filled day he creates, then you will want to read the other books in the series. In each book, a loving Rottweiler named Carl is left to care for a baby. They get into trouble, but somehow always manage to keep their shenanigans a secret from the adults.
I like the book because the illustrations are well done and a little mischief can be thrilling. You must know that this is the part that keeps your toddler so engaged! There are few words, which gives you the chance to discuss the events apart from ideas being supplied for you.
In the summer adventure, the baby has grown to be a toddler. She and her favorite furry friend get to join their family on a vacation at the lake. Instead of taking a nap as the mother expects, the two sneak off on a canoe trip and enjoy the wildlife.
All the World
by Liz Garton Scanlon
Version 1.0.0
All the World is a beautiful story that was nominated for a Caldecott medal the year it came out. The illustrations take you on a summer vacation to the beach. They draw you in with their warm colors and simple lines.
This story is about a family enjoying their time at the beach in the course of a day. It reminds me of a Florida summer afternoon because they get caught in a rainstorm. Our afternoons frequently bring rain, which makes them perfect for napping! In the story, they stress that not everything is perfect. But you can enjoy it.
First Look Books: At the Park
As a first-time pregnant mom, I am fairly new to the world of books for babies. During one of my showers I was gifted a set of creative black and white books illustrated by Laura Barrett. Several of them featured one of my favorite topics, which is nature.
I was reading over the back cover and it mentioned the importance of high-contrast colors for young, developing eyes. The more I looked into this idea, the more fascinated I became. I came across this article by Happily Ever Elephants that had a few links to some informative studies about the idea. She specifically cited an article referencing details of what a child can see at each stage of development.
Come to find out, high-contrast black and white books are best for babies’ eyes to learn to focus. They gradually see more color and detail throughout their first few months. Once they reach six months old, they can focus completely on different shapes and colors. Amazing!
These books are not on Amazon, but I would like to suggest another great black and white book by textile designer Jane Foster called Jane Foster’s Black and White. We also have this one and I like the design and style it brings to different black and white animals with little pops of color.
Little Traveler set
by Mudpuppy and Erica Harrison
Summer is the perfect opportunity to travel! Journey all around the world by describing the different landmarks, foods, vehicles, and animals you might see in the Little Traveler books. This is an exciting way to introduce your child to different cultures and opportunities that you may one day explore together.
The pictures are large and use minimal colors that are high-contrast, making it easy for your baby to focus on.
Mouse’s First Summer
by Lauren Thompson
This is a cute little tale about a young mouse enjoying the quintessential activities of summer. In Mouse’s First Summer, Mouse frolics in the green grass, observes flying kites and even watches a fireworks display in the evening. They also eat a delicious watermelon with seeds. It makes me miss seed-spitting contests with my cousins when we were young.
Share these experiences through the book, and then enjoy some time doing the same activities with your little one.
Llama Llama Sand and Sun
by Anna Dewdney
This is a fun board book that takes you on an adventure by the sea. Llama Llama Sand and Sun tells the story of your favorite llama friend as he plays on the beach. He enjoys splashing in the waves and building a sandcastle. It’s the perfect way to spend your summer!
One thing I especially like about this board book is that there are touch and feel pages that make it interactive for your toddler.
Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle
Farm animals and trucks make up the main characters in this board book. There is an emphasis on animal sounds that make it fun for toddlers to hear you read aloud.
In the story, Little Blue Truck is challenged by a large, impatient dump truck. Focused on all his importance, the dump truck inadvertently gets stuck in the mud. In response, Little Blue gathers his friends and they assist the dump truck in getting free. Dump learns the importance of a friend’s helping hand. Although this book is short, it has a great moral that makes it worth adding to your collection.
Flower Garden
by Eve Bunting
Eve Bunting is a beautiful author that I have been familiar with since I was young. In her summery story Flower Garden, a young girl and her father assemble a window box of flowers as a gift for the child’s mother. The story is told in rhyme and there are warm, calm pictures to accompany the poetry.
The first book I read of hers was The Wall where a father and son visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. She also wrote Terrible Things, which is an allegory for the Holocaust. It teaches young children that they should speak up instead of waiting for others to lead. I would recommend both of these for middle grade kiddos.
Summer Reading Tips for Parents of Little Ones
Make the most of your summer reading routine with these simple ideas:
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Create a summer reading nook—inside or outside! Cozy blankets, pillows, and a small basket of board books make reading time feel extra special.
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Keep books accessible. Rotate a few at a time to keep things fresh and fun.
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Engage the senses. Choose interactive board books with textures or flaps. Let toddlers act out animal sounds or weather events.
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Read often but briefly. Ten minutes here and there throughout the day adds up—especially for short attention spans!
Choosing the Right Board Books by Age
Knowing what to look for based on your child’s age can help make your book choices more effective:
📘 0–12 months:
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High-contrast images
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Simple patterns and faces
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Cloth or chewable books
📗 1–2 years:
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Rhyming words and repetition
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Books with textures or flaps
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Familiar daily routines
📙 3–4 years:
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Simple storylines
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Real-world themes (seasons, friendships)
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Books that invite discussion or role play
Build Your Own Summer Book Basket
Don’t let choice fatigue slow you down! Let me help you build your own personalized summer reading list based on your child’s age and interests. I’ll send you hand-picked board books (and children’s books for older siblings too!) so you can spend less time scrolling and more time snuggling up to read.
Start Building Early Literacy Today
Reading board books isn’t just about filling time—it’s about building your child’s brain, nurturing your connection, and creating routines that make learning feel natural and joyful. With this summer reading list, you’ll have what you need to make storytime simple, special, and full of sunshine.
