Our little fam headed to the beach over the weekend and we prepped by reading alllll the beach books. Like you, our summer plans got bounced around a bit, and this beach trip felt like such a happy moment. We’re doing our best to see the positives in this situation, to be grateful for what we have, to celebrate little wins (like cute face masks) and help people who need a hand right now.
Just a small portion of the books we borrowed and read. Only the winners below!
For Littles:
Day at the Beach by Tom Booth is a standout for any kiddo who thinks they have suuuuuuch a better plan. That includes every child. Ever. I love the illustrations, which include a biracial family. Diversity plus beach? Homerun!
Sandy Feet! Whose Feet? by Susan Wood is a sweet little rhyming book that takes the reader across the many feet they might meet at their beach trip. Motor liked the last pages where the author included information about animals met at the beach.
It’s a Seashell Day by Dianne Ochiltree is not only super sweet for little ones but the illustrations are honestly dreamy. The end of the book includes a run-down of shell types that was perfect for Motor. We identified a couple types of shells from our recent beach trip. Win!
If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, DON’T by Elise Parsley is prime gold. This book reminded us of the If You Give a Mouse… series. There is a classic pic of the mom hauling the piano and allllll the beach stuff by herself and I think mamas around the world are nodding heads. Been there. We will be getting the rest of this series on the double.
Bebe Goes to the Beach by Susan Middleton Elya is such goodness. I am really enjoying these kiddo books with Spanish mixed into the writing. It’s a good reminder to my kids that people speak different language and it is such a fantastic introduction to Spanish in bite-sized pieces. Love!
The illustrations in Grains of Sand by Sibylle Delacroix are glorious. The imagination in this story is beautiful. Like, exactly how a kiddo would think. I feel like I’m stepping into my kiddos’ brains with this, and I am here for it!
Out of the Blue by Alison Jay is a masterpiece. Beside two pages in the back about sea life, the book is wordless. I read this to Motor and he told me the story from the illustrations. I would buy and frame the illustrations in this book for a nursery or kiddos’ bedroom. Just dreamy!
Hello by Fiona Woodcock screams summer! Every page is a happy, delightful scene – which is exactly what we all need right now. Sister and brother have a full day of joy and this book feels like a high-five! This would be a great add-on to a summer bday gift with sand toys and a monogrammed towel! Sweetness!
To the Beach by Thomas Docherty is freaking goodness! The illustrations in this are insane! The sweet boy has such a fun imagination that had my boys nodding their heads in agreement and giggling. He has a ton of other books, but Little Boat has a very similar look and it’s in my cart! Eeks!
Chu’s Day at the Beach by Neil Gaiman and Adam Rex is adorable! This reminds me so much of Zootopia (adorbs). After we read about Chu’s day, we went back and looked at all the silly things we wouldn’t normally see. It became a look-and-see book as well as a picture book!
Caterina and the Best Beach Day by Erin Eitter Kono is a gem! This series is new to us and these owls are pure love. I mean, c’mon. How do you not love Caterina and her Leo? Yummy! I will definitely be grabbing the rest of the series for Hope and Motor.
Emerging Readers:
Otter – Let’s Go Swimming! by Sam Garton is just the bee’s knees. I love these little readers and I adore Otter. Otter projects all his little beach fears on his toys. Smart little dude.
Claude at the Beach by Alex T. Smith = adventurous pup, super illustrations, witty plot and if that wasn’t enough, there is a character named Sir Bobblysock. I mean, c’mon. Total gem! I picked this up for Blue to read aloud to me, but ended up reading it to Motor in one quick sitting. The publisher’s site includes some fun coloring sheets. Take a look!
Middle Grade:
Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynne Rae Perkins speaks to my elementary school soul in so many ways. This is just fun and cute and reminds me of spending a few weeks on Lake Michigan every summer as a kiddo. I luh-HUV these illustrations. Tiny Dancer would never admit it, but she likes a book with an occasional pic to break things up. I think we all do – no matter our age. Little sister Alix finds such awe in the world, and I adore that quality.
Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Sharks by Katie and Kevin Tsang is so clever and is a dream for any mama needing a break from burp and fart books loved by all boys. I loved this just as much as my two boys, so this book qualifies as absolute gold in my house! Sam is brave in so many ways, but he has a few fears. Don’t we all?! School bully Ralph is always razzing Sam and Sam is trying to find his footing. We will definitely be getting the rest in this series!
Tween/YA:
See You on a Starry Night by Lisa Schroeder is a gem! As a mom to a tween, this felt like equal parts ‘fun reading’ and also a good reminder to be gentle with my girl. There’s so much social garbage and expectations and self-criticism at this age, and this book just feels so good and right. Read if you’re a mama to a girl or not. You’ll be glad you did.
Adult:
Beach Read by Emily Henry was nothing like I had imagined and I loved it! I flew through these pages. The dialogue is super witty without feeling like it’s trying hard. And as a Midwesterner, I love when books are based in the area. This one is in Michigan and the main character’s best friend is in Chicago – yay! I wouldn’t be mad if this was made into a rom com. Opening night for me!
Main gal January is in an emotional slump. She is an established author of women’s fiction and leaves NYC for Michigan after her dad’s passing and her boyfriend breaks up with her.
Man guy Augustus (Gus) is an established literary fiction author. He is also in a slump – emotionally and with writing – and is staying at the house next to January. January and Gus attended U of M together and didn’t see eye-to-eye.
Can these two rise above the carnage of heartache and lend each other a hand? Read and see!
Side note: I’m not sure how this cover photo made the cut. Neither January or Gus would ever wear what the characters on the cover are wearing. The cover IMHO says ‘fun, easy, beach read book you don’t have to really think too much about.’ Wrong-o. You’ll love this book but it’s not super light.
And just for fun…Tiny Dancer and Blue like word searches and have the ability to compete one during a read aloud (green with envy). Take a look at this I found for my two.