101 Picture Books for Summer Reading 2019

101 Fantastic Picture Books for summer reading. Both old and new favorites to keep your library bag full all summer long! Scroll down for a Free Printable Book List. 

As far as I'm concerned, Summer Break is entirely for reading. Of course it's lovely if some of that reading is done poolside with a cold slice of watermelon nearby, but a good book is the most important part of that equation for me. 

I've been putting together so many guides to help you (and me!) have a wonderful summer of reading. Let's begin with the Picture Books for Summer Reading!

With 101 Picture Books for Summer Reading, you'll be able to check out about 10 books a week from this list and have fun picture books to enjoy all summer long! There's a good mix of both brand new picture books and old favorites so you'll have a better chance of always finding something available to check out at the library. 

We've read every single book on this list. In fact, we've read most of these books many times! I selected each one myself, with some input from my kids about their recent favorites, and I can personally guarantee that every book on this list is fantastic. 

A Few Tips for Using this List of 101 Picture Books for Summer

• Get familiar with how your library hold system works. This can be a huge time saver! Almost every week, I go onto the computer and add books to my library hold shelf so that I can make a quick stop in the library, grab my stack of books off the hold shelf and be on my merry way. This list is just what you need to keep great picture books on your hold shelf all summer long. 
• Download the printable version (below) and keep it in your purse or car all summer. You never know when you'll be driving past a book store or escaping to the library. 
• Have a reading contest! Challenge yourselves to read the whole list before summer's end and then have an ice cream party, or take a trip to the bookstore and purchase your favorite book off the list. 
• Have fun - read with snacks, read outside on a picnic blanket, try out funny voices. Remind yourself and your kids that reading really is fun. Starting with well written, beautifully illustrated Picture Books, like the ones on this list, is an excellent way to foster a life long love of reading. 

And without further ado, here's the list! Scroll down for a Free Printable Version. 

101 Picture Books for Summer Reading 2019

1. The Cook and the King by Julia Donaldson | It's always so fun to read Donaldson's clever rhyming, but I can't decide whether I love this one so much because of its funny story, or the delightful illustrations. 
2. Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell | This one reminds me of The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. It's a beautiful story about kindness and the illustrations are stunning.
3. Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang | Because everyone is a little grumpy sometimes. 
4. I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoet | This wordless book was one of my most favorite picture books last year. It's one of the best books about kindness we've ever found. 
5. Neck and Neck by Elise Parsley | I love this one! It's so funny, but I love the way it realistically portrays jealousy for children and how to handle it (and even how we get it wrong sometimes first). 
6. The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee | This book is fun to read aloud, but it also has a great message. 
7. Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros | Charlotte is my kids' new favorite book character. Boys and girls alike will love Charlotte and her bunny determination. 
8. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney | One of my all time favorite picture books to read aloud. I think of Miss Rumphius every year when I plant flowers for summer. 
9. Drawn Together by Minh Le | After I read this aloud to my kids the first time, they immediately got out a stack of drawing paper and proceeded to make art for a solid hour. It's that kind of book. 
10. Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins | If this doesn't make your kids want to go outside and play in trees, nothing ever will. I adore this book. 
11. After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat | This is a wonderful book about not letting fear and failure stop you. It's also just a really good story about what happened to Humpty after the fall. 
12. Are We There Yeti? by Ashlyn Anstee | Having been on many a road trip with my kids, who inevitably ask at least 100 times, "Are We There Yet?", I thought this clever, fun book was pretty spot on.  
13. Do Not Lick this Book by Idan Ben-Barak | This non-fiction picture book about germs is a surprisingly fun read. 
14. The Wolf, The Duck, and The Mouse by Mac Barnett | I can't write a picture book list without including Mac Barnett. I think this is one of his best, and certainly the funniest to me. 
15. The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney | It's the classic fable, but with gorgeous new illustrations. 
16. Life by Cynthia Rylant | A stunning look at life on earth. The illustrations in this one are the best. 
17. Roxaboxen by Alice McLeran | This is how I always remember my summers as a kid - full of imaginative play outside with friends. A perfect read. 
18. Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang | A brand new book that tells the story of how ramen was invented. It's so much more interesting than you might think. 
19. The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABC's (the Hard Way) by Patrick McDonnell | I love a good ABC book and this is one of the very best I've come across. 
20. Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin | A wordless book with pictures my kids have pored over for hours. 
21. Windows by Julia Denos | Do you look into people's windows in the evening just after the sun sets and before they remember to close their curtains? That quick glance always tells a story. 
22. I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt | This book made even my almost 13 year old dissolve in giggles. It's a new favorite at our house - reminiscent of The Book With No Pictures. 
23. The Cozy Book by Mary Ann Hoberman | My FAVORITE book to read aloud. The poetry, the rhythm, the fantastic collection of words in this book. It will always be one of my very favorites. 
24. The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed | I have a special place in my heart for this tale of a childless couple who find a dozen tiny babies one rainy, moonlit night. It's magical in all the best ways. 
25. Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina | This has been one of Rory's favorite bedtime reads for going on 3 years now. Luckily, I never get tired of reading this one aloud. 
26. Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth | Why is the stone soup story always so good? This version is my favorite. 
27. Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson | This interactive picture book is on heavy repeat at my house right now. Plant the seed on page one and watch what happens next. 
28. Camp Tiger by Susan Choi | Camping is one of our favorite summer activities. Now, we'll be keeping an eye out for tigers. 
29. A Piglet Named Mercy by Kate DiCamillo | I'm a long time Mercy Watson fan, but even if you aren't, this story of how Mercy came to be part of Deckawoo Drive is absolutely adorable. 
30. What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virjan | With a title like that, how can you resist? 
31. A Bike Like Sergio's by Maribeth Boelts | Adelaide brought this book home from the school library a few weeks ago and I promptly ordered a copy for home. It's one of the best books about honesty I've encountered. Really well done. 
32. The Truth About Bears by Maxwell Eaton III | A super fun look at bear facts. You'll find this one in the non-fiction section, but your kids will read it like fiction. 
33. Abner & Ian Get Right Side Up by Dave Eggers | I love books that get my kids giggling. This one is a real winner! 
34. Animalicious by Anna Dewdney | It's no ordinary Animal ABC book! Have you ever met a Blaboon? How about a Cowabunga? I also have a fun craft to go along with this one. 
35. The Neighbors by Einat Tsarfati | First I loved this one for the illustrations. Then I loved it for the clever twist at the end. 
36. Flotsam by David Wiesner | Hands down, the best wordless picture book of all time. Pure MAGIC. 
37. High Five by Adam Rubin | A new interactive book that will have your kids high fiving like crazy. So fun! 
38. The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone | I loved this when I was a kid and now my kids love it just as much. A good book is ALWAYS good. 
39. If I Was the Sunshine by Julie Fogliano | This one reminded me a lot of Runaway Bunny. It's so beautiful to read. 
40. Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett | This is one of my favorite books to read aloud. It's guaranteed to grab everyone's attention and have them laughing by the end. 
41. Fanny’s Dream by Caralyn Buehner | For when you wish you had a fairy godmother but she never actually shows up. One of my personal favorites. 
42. Strega Nona by Tomi dePaola | It's a classic for a reason. Always a good read. Plus, you can practice your Italian accent. 
43. Gorky Rises by William Steig | William Steig is my favorite children's book author. This one is just the right amount of weird and wonderful. 
44. The Quilt Maker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau | The story in this one is so heartwarming, but the illustrations alone are reason enough to read it. 
45. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett | My favorite Mac Barnett book and one of my all time favorite picture books. 
46. Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick | The true story of Winnie the Pooh! It's so good. 
47. Chicky Chicky Chook Chook by Cathy MacLennan | I've been reading this book aloud since my first baby was born and I'm still not tired of it. 
48. I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis | Another hall of fame book at our house. We've probably read it a million times by now. 
49. Hairy MaClary and Zachary Quack by Lynley Dodd | Have you met this little dog and duck duo yet? They will steal your heart so fast. 
50. Animalia by Graeme Base | This is one my kids can pore over, examining the illustrations and searching for pictures, for hours. No joke. 
51. The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen | Funny rhymes, bright colorful pictures, and the chance to search for hidden animals on the page. It's highly entertaining. 
52. A Kite for Moon by Jane Yolen | When a boy notices the moon looks sad, he starts sending his kite up with notes for the moon. This one is so sweet. 
53. The Quiet Crocodile Goes to the Beach by Natacha Andriamirado | The Quiet Crocodile is the kind of character your kids will want to read again and again. 
54. Du Iz Tak by Carson Ellis | I think I squealed out loud the first time I finished this book. It's pure genius. So much imagination in this one! 
55. Hey Ho To Mars We’ll Go by Susan Lendroth | Another nonfiction picture book that your kids will devour. 
56. That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell | If you love to practice a good British accent when you read, this is the book for you. 
57. Because by Mo Willems | This felt like a departure from Mo Willems' normal style, but I loved it! It's more serious than you'd expect from him, but a great read. 
58. Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray | This is a quick, catchy read. 
59. Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter | Another interactive book. I don't know about you, but my kids love these interactive books!
60. The Great Sheep Shenanigans by Peter Bently | A wolf trying to eat sheep is nothing new, but this book is so clever. 
61. Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems | My favorite of all the Gerald and Piggie books. Makes me laugh so hard every time. 
62. Charlie Needs a Cloak by Tomie dePaola | From a sheep to a cloak, this one walks you through the wool process. It's one of my favorites. 
63. The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant | If you've ever made the long road trip to the family reunion (or hosted it) you'll love this one. It captures it all so well. 
64. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton | Everyone already knows this is a good book. I'm just reminding you to read it. 
65. Crab Cake by Andrea Tsurumi | Crab loves to make cakes under the sea, but he's got to step out of his comfort zone to deal with a big underwater disaster. 
66. The Three Robbers by Tomi Ungerer | This is an old classic, but just as good as I remember it. 
67. The Funny Little Woman by Arlene Mosel | Tikki Tikki Tembo is her more well known book, but this one is actually my favorite. 
    
68. Let 'Er Buck! George Fletcher, the People's Champion by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson | George Fletcher should have been the rodeo champion in 1911, but he was Black so the prize went to someone else. But, he'll always be remembered as the People's Champion. Excellent book! 
69. Doctor De Soto by William Steig | A mouse dentist pulling a tooth for a fox! So much could go wrong, but this is one clever mouse. 
70. Little Brown by Marla Frazee | One the surface this is a book about a grumpy, lonely dog. But it's also a great book to start a discussion about bullying. 
71. Never Trumpet with a Crumpet by Amy Gibson | I don't always love manners books, but this one is pretty darn fun to read aloud. 
72. All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon | This is one of those books that makes me tear up every single time. Beautiful. 
73. Grand Canyon by Jason Chin | I could go on and on about this book. I won't. But you should most definitely read it. 
74. Let’s Have a Dog Party by Mikela Prevost | A really lovely book about empathy - but also, a lot of really cute dog illustrations. 
75. Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban | Another classic that you already know is good. Just a quick reminder to read it again. 
76. Follow Finn by Peter Goes | A really stunning search and find maze book. 
77. Get on Your Bike by Joujke Akveld | The illustrations are fantastic, but it's also a great book about resolving conflict. 
78. Ocean Meets Sky by Terry and Eric Fan | A magical boat ride to the place where the ocean meets the sky. It's as good as it sounds. 
79. Red Sky at Night by Elly Mackay | This book has collected all the weather sayings, like "Red sky at night, sailor's delight." Very fun to read. 
    
80. Owls are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet by Sara O'Leary | Full of little known facts about animals. My kids love books like these. 
81. Play this Book by Jessica Young | A very fun interactive book. 
82. Potato Pants by Laurie Keller | Potato is so excited to buy a pair of pants. That's a premise you can't miss. 
83. Sleep Train by Jonathan London | For when you want a really good bed time story. 
84. A Storytelling of Ravens by Kyle Lukoff | I've seen a lot of collective noun books lately, but this is the best of the bunch. 
85. Summer Evening by Walter de la Mare | An eight line poem in the form of a gorgeous picture book that really captures that summer feeling. 
86. The Very Last Castle by Travis Jonker | Everyone is scared of what's behind the castle door. But the more Ibb thinks about it, the more she wants to find out what's true and what's not. So good! 
87. Ruby’s Sword by Jacqueline Veissid | For all the kids who've always imagined that a stick could be so much more than just a stick. 
88. Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal | I love names with meaning. And I love this book about Alma and her beautiful long name. 
89. Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex | Get ready to laugh. Really, you won't be able to resist. 
90. The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner | For your little environmentalists. This one is wonderful! 
91. Eye Spy: Wild Ways Animals See the World by Guillaume Duprat | Do your kids go nuts for these Eye spy books? Mine always do! 
92. Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke | I think this is an absolutely perfect picture book. It could not be better. I have strong feelings about this. 
93. There Are No Bears in This Bakery by Julia Sarcone-Roach| A hungry bear and a gumshoe cat. A perfect combo! 
94. The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach | A sandwich has gone missing! This one is so fun to read aloud. 
95. The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty | Another lovely bedtime read. Plus, I love a book about books. 
96. The Happy Book by Andy Rash | A great look at feelings. And my kids love the comic book style of this one. 
97. Nothing Stopped Sophie by Cheryl Bardoe | A true story about a female mathematician that is anything but boring. 
98. Snails are Just my Speed by Kevin McCloskey | A great nonfiction picture book! 
99. Stinkiest: 20 Smelly Animals by Steve Jenkins | For all your animal loving kids. Steve Jenkins writes such good books! 
100. Escargot by Dashka Slater | One of my favorite books to read aloud. And you absolutely must read it with your best (or worst) French accent. 
101. The Day the Babies Crawled Away by Peggy Rathmann | I love the clever silhouette illustrations in this one. And the story is such a fun read aloud.