As you curate your Summer book bucket list for grandkids, keep in mind their age and attention span, as well as their interests. Here are some great books to read with your grandchildren thi sSummer!
You’ll be sure to find lots of titles perfect to enjoy together.
If you aren’t sure whether a book is going to be a hit give it a try, and if it just isn’t working set it aside for another time.
For example, I’m dying for Morgan (age 6) to be old enough to enjoy the Hank the Cowdog books, but she’s not quite there yet and that’s ok.
I’m sure the day will come when the adventures of Hank and his lovely Beulah will have her giggling away!
In This Post
Summer Reading For Younger Kids
And Then Comes Summer: By Tom Brenner and Jaime Kim
This book about a fun filled summer has all the traditions – bike riding, swimming, a 4th of July Parade, and ice cream. It’s the best of the best of summers. The illustrations are beautiful too!
In fact, if you are a long distant grandparent and ‘read’ together sharing a screen and watching a YouTube version of the story make sure to check out this version.
There is a bit of animation added that makes it extra fun!
The Sandcastle That Lola Built: By Megan Maynor and Kate Berube
This summer read is a fun spin on “The House that Jack Built”.
As Lola builds her sandcastle, she takes the opportunity to make new friends as she faces some unexpected events during the building process.
Ice Cream Summer: By Peter Sis
When I saw that this book is actually a young boy’s response to a letter from his grandfather, I knew it had to be on the list.
If you have kids who love ice cream they are sure to enjoy this book where absolutely everything points back to that cold treat!
There is ice cream to find and count throughout!
And if you’re reading in person, make sure to have ice cream in your freezer to follow up!
Chapter Books to Read Aloud
Jenny and the Cat Club: By Esther Averill
These books are have stood the test of time. They’ve been around since the 1940s!
Imagine reading a book to your grandkids that your own grandma might have enjoyed.
These books have short chapters, so they are perfect for kids with a little shorter attention spans.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle: By Beverly Clearly
You probably read this book growing up!
This is the story of a young mouse name Ralph, and a boy named Keith who checks into the Mountain View Inn with a toy motorcycle. Ralph simply must ride it!
A great friendship develops between Keith and Ralph as Keith looks after his little friend who thinks he can handle absolutely anything!
Follow this one up with Runaway Ralph and Ralph S. Mouse.
Have time to do lots of reading this Summer? Check out the entire set! The Ralph Mouse Collection (a 3 book boxed set).
Somehow we have a cat and mouse theme here!
Well alright….here’s another to go along with the first two!
Bless This Mouse: By Lois Lowry
This book is about a group of mice who live in Saint Bartholemew’s church. This little group has Mouse Mistress Hildegarde to look after them.
She makes sure they stay out of sight. However, when the inevitable happens, this little furry group must come up with a plan to stop the attempt to exterminate them!
How to Enjoy Reading with Grandkids at a Distance
From my granddaughter’s early days of story reading, we have always found a way to read together.
And we hope you do everything possible to make that happen for your grandkids too. Don’t let distance get in the way!
Things to try:
- Reading via video chat
- Filming a video of yourself reading a story
- Recording audio of yourself reading a story. Especially great if they have the book you are reading!
- ‘Zoom’ and share the screen while watching a story being read on YouTube
- Form your own book club. read a chapter a week – either together or on your own – then talk about it.
Perhaps this summer reading list for grandkids will get you started for an entire year’s worth of reading memories!
