Summer is a great time for reading! (Of course, any time of year is a great time for reading!) It’s impossible to put all of our favorite books for summer on one forward-facing book display, but here are some of our favorites along with links to posts with many more.
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Just choose books based on your child’s age and what you think will engage your child’s interest. I recommend checking out the “Read Sample” feature on Amazon and reading reviews there. Another place to learn about a book is on YouTube. You can typically see the entire book there.
Montessori-friendly books use photos or realistic illustrations. They don’t have talking animals or a lot of fantasy. But many books that have fantasy and talking animals are wonderful books, and I love sharing them with children who understand the difference between fantasy and reality.
For toddlers and preschoolers, about ¾ of the books I use are typically Montessori friendly (focusing on reality without smiling or talking animals or smiling or talking vehicles).
Books for a Summer Theme
I’m featuring books here for a summer theme for preschool through early elementary (with a couple for toddlers). The linked posts include some more for upper elementary, too.
Books for a Summer Theme
Top Shelf of Forward -Facing Display:
- Ocean Anatomy (I have this fabulous Julia Rothman collection and some other Julia Rothman books.)
- The Big Book of the Blue (lovely and a book in the Big Book Series!)
- The Big Book of Bugs is a fabulous book about bugs in general and another book in the Big Book Series!
2nd Shelf:
- The Backpack Explorer series is lots of fun for nature explorers. These books have many beautiful photographs and engaging illustrations along with lots of ideas for nature activities. I have the 5-book set, which also includes a nature collection box to display nature treasures.
- Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean (from the Little Kids First Big Book Series by National Geographic Kids.
I use books from this series often. They have gorgeous photographs and easy-to-understand information.) - Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs is also from the Little Kids First Big Book Series by National Geographic Kids. It has gorgeous photographs and lots of understandable information about insects of all kinds. It’s perfect for a general overview of insects for any insect unit.
I use books from this series often. They have gorgeous photographs and easy-to-understand information.)3rd Shelf:
- Ocean: A Peek-Through Picture Book is a gorgeous peek-through picture book by Britta Teekentrup! Its rhyming text, beautiful illustrations, and cutouts make it a great book for children ages 3-7.
- And Then Comes Summer
- I See Summer
by Britta Teekentrup! Its rhyming text, beautiful illustrations, and cutouts make it a great book for children ages 3-7.4th Shelf
Bottom Shelf
- The Very Quiet Cricket (This actually has batteries, but they’re simply a lovely addition to the book when the cricket chirps at the end.) We love Eric Carle books, and many of them have a summer theme.
- Summer in the Forest (a lift-a-flap surprise board book)
- Summer (lovely wordless seasons board book by Gerda Muller)
We have more summer books in a large book basket (a variety from the following blog posts):
Favorite Books for a Camping Theme
The Best Ladybug Books for Kids
Favorite Books for a Butterfly Theme
Favorite Books for a Weird Insect Theme
Favorite Books for a Flower Theme
You can see many summer books here: Summer Books for Kids (including books as they’re published)
More Summer Resources, Including Many Free Printables
For more Montessori-inspired summer activities and free printables, check out these posts with lots of activities and resources:
- Top 10 Summer Themes for Preschoolers
- Montessori-Inspired Summer Themes and Activities
- Free Summer Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- 20 Outdoor Phonics Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Summer Playdough Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Activities for Casey at the Bat
- Montessori-Inspired Summer Activities with Spielgaben {Free Printables}
- Montessori Nature Tray with Vocabulary – Parts of the Plant
- How to Have a Healthy and Courteous Tea Party Picnic
- How to Have a Healthy and Courteous Teddy Bear Picnic
- 50+ Creative Ways to Use Materials Found on Your Nature Walks
- Free Summer Playdough Math Pack (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori-Inspired Playdough Math Activities for Summer {Free Printables}
- Montessori Summer Resources for Classroom or Home
- Fun with Montessori-Inspired World Travel Activities and Games
- Free Travel Printables and Montessori-Inspired Travel Activities
- Summer-Themed, Editable Name and Word Tracing Pack
- Free Summer Printables and Montessori-Inspired Summer Activities
- Free Sun Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Summer Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Summer Sports Printables and Montessori-Inspired Summer Sports Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Activities for Winter or Summer Olympics
- Free R for Run Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Summer Sports Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- I Have, Who Has? Summer Art Appreciation Game Pack in Print or Cursive
- Summer Art Appreciation – Meditation and Puzzles
- Montessori-Inspired Camping Printables for Preschool Through Elementary
- Free Camping Printables and Montessori-Inspired Camping Activities
- Free Picnic Printables and Montessori-Inspired Picnic Activities
- Olympic Unit Study Pinterest Board
- Summer Fun Pinterest Board
Have a wonderful summer!
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