101 Fantastic Picture Books for Summer 2020

101 Fantastic Picture Books to read this summer. Get ready to max out your library cards! There's something for everyone on this list.

Our libraries here were closed for months! When they finally opened (by appointment only to pick up holds) I was so happy I almost cried. I didn't realize just how much we rely on our weekly library trips.

We've spent the past few weeks catching up on the latest picture books so we could finish our annual list of 101 Picture Books for Summer Reading. I thought last year's list was the best of the best, but this year's list has me feeling downright giddy. There are so many good picture books, new and old, to dig into over the next couple months.

With 101 excellent picture books (both fiction and nonfiction) to choose from, you’ll have 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.

For more great picture books, check out last year's list too.

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101 PICTURE BOOKS FOR SUMMER READING 2020

Harold and Hog Pretend for Real by Dan Santat & Mo Willems | If you love Gerald & Piggie like we do, then you'll love this super funny metafiction version with Harold and Hog.
Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour | This is a touching story about a resilient child refugee who befriends a small gray pebble to help her cope with life in a strange new world of tents.
Skulls! by Blair Thornburgh | While a skull may seem spooky to a kid, this playful, colorful book is a good look at how useful and wonderful a skull really is.
Parker Looks Up by Parker Curry | This is the spectacular true story of a little girl who goes to the National Portrait Gallery and sees Kehinde Wiley's amazing portrait of Michelle Obama.
Field Trip to the Moon by John Hare | This is a wordless masterpiece! One of our favorite books of 2019. Climb aboard this unique spaceship schoolbus and let's take a trip to outerspace.
Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris | A super fun river adventure with a whole crew of animals. This has been one of the most requested books at our house for months now!
King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes | This book will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's a sweet story for everyone, but especially wonderful if you have a kid starting school soon.
You Are Home by Evan Turk | A stunning look at the National Parks here in the United States. It's a really feast for the eyes.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins | It's the first day of school for a little t-rex, but all of her classmates are tasty little children. This is a wonderful (and funny) book about empathy and treating others how you want to be treated.
Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman | The cutest little worm is having a bit of an identity crisis - what exactly is the meaning of his life?! I absolutely adore this book.
Stormy: A Story About Finding a Forever Home by Guojing | Dare I say this is one of the very best wordless books of all time? It's a really beautiful story about a stray puppy finding a forever home.
A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel | This author always knocks it out of the park. The book is ostensibly about a stone sitting in the same place, but the story is so much bigger than that.
Hike by Pete Oswald | A really sweet wordless book about a father and son on a hike together.
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander | This won both the Newbery Award and a Caldecott Honor award this year! And it deserved both - it's an amazing portrait of Black leaders in America.
The Fate of Fausto by Oliver Jeffers | This is a quirky little fable about a man who believes he's entitled to everything he sees. We're always big Oliver Jeffers fans over here.
Fly! by Mark Teague | This wordless book about a little bird who just doesn't feel quite ready to leave the nest, despite his mother's urging, is one of the most read books at our house right now. It's so funny!
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard | Be prepared to make a delicious batch of fry bread after reading this one because your little ones will probably insist.
Saturday by Oge Mora | The most heartwarming story about a mother and child trying to make the most of their Saturday together, despite numerous obstacles.
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan | A little girl asks for a computer and a phone for her birthday, so she's a little disappointed when Grandma gives her a lemon tree instead. A darling book about making lemonade out of lemons.
Walrus in the Bathtub by Deborah Underwood | You can't help but laugh as this family tries to get an uninvited walrus out of their bathtub.
Why? by Laura Vaccaro Seeger | A curious little rabbit and a very wise and patient bear. This one is so beautiful that I had to one-click order it after reading it the first time.
Dancing Hands by Margarita Engle | The true story of Teresa Carreño, the child prodigy who played the piano for Abraham Lincoln. The illustrations in this one are top notch!
Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis | This book is so clever. It's all about water and it's very simple, but I'm blown away by how creative and clever it is.
Vroom! by Barbara McClintock | A playful book about a little girl's imaginative journey around town in a race car.
At the Mountain's Base by Traci Sorell | A Cherokee family waits at home, at the mountain's base, for their loved one who is serving as a pilot during the war. Based on real life experiences - this one is a must read! I have a craft to go along with it here.
Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler | The author based this story about a family making a home for themselves in the woods on her grandmother's childhood. I just want to crawl right into this illustrations and make a home in its woods for myself.
This Book is Gray by Lindsay Ward | Gray always feels left out so he decides to make an entirely gray book. Unfortunately, all the colors keep showing up to help! This is a cute book about fitting in.
The Boring Book by Shinsuke Yoshitake | This book is all about being bored, but it's definitely not boring! One of our favorites.
Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe | This book about a frog making a pretty big racket with a drum is laugh out loud funny.
Mini Rabbit is Not Lost by John Bond | Mini Rabbit heads out into the forest to get berries for a cake and travels a little too far. But don't worry, Mini Rabbit is not lost!
Imagine That by Jonathan D. Voss | The sweetest tale of a girl and her pet owl and the search for a lost imagination.
The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein | A boy and his father discover a whale tangled in a fishing net. The illustrations in this one are stunning.
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon | A classic and an absolute must read about a baby bat who is raised by birds.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen | This story will never go out of style! It's a perfect read aloud picture book. b
Swimmy by Leo Leonini | This won the Caldecott in the 1960's, but it's still such a wonderful story about a brave little fish.
Green on Green by Dianne White | Not only are the illustrations stellar, but the lyrical, rhyming text makes this one so much fun to read.
The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber | We recently rediscovered this one on a forgotten shelf and we've been charmed all over again by Lyle the Crocodile.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch | I love a princess who doesn't put up with any nonsense.
King Bidgood's In the Bathtub by Audrey Wood | One of my all-time-favorite picture books about a silly king who won't get out of the bathtub.
Everyone's Awake by Colin Meloy | A fun bedtime story where everyone stays awake. My kids love looking for the hidden frogs in this one!
When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox by Jamie L.B. Deenihan | A little boy is disappointed when his grandpa gives him a box of tools, but only because he hasn't discovered all of the possibilities!
The Rough Patch by Brian Lies | This is a beautiful book about the loss of a beloved pet and trying to work through grief. It's WONDERFUL!
A Book for Escargot by Dashka Slater | Escargot, everyone's favorite French snail, is back and just as funny as ever. You must read this one with a French accent.
Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor | Kind of like the old froggie video game, but this one is a snail crossing the road for a juicy cabbage. So fun!
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons | A Caldecott honor book this year about a family reunion and family traditions. It's fantastic!
My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano | I love this author! This is such a sweet book about the magic of childhood friendships.
The Book in the Book in the Book by Julien Baer | It all begins with an abandoned book on the beach . . .
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero | A vibrant book about a girl's relationship with her father and their shared love of motorcycles.
River by Elisha Cooper | A visually stunning trip in a canoe down a river. Love it!
How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps by Nicola Winstanley | Read this one when you need a good laugh.
How to Walk an Ant by Cindy Derby | This little girl is an expert ant walker. Luckily, she'll tell you how it's done.
Reading Beauty by Deborah Underwood | A rhyming re-telling of Sleeping Beauty that you'll love!
Cyril and Pat by Emily Gravett | Cyril is a squirrel and Pat is a rat. It's an unlikely friendship, but a hilarious story.
Fix that Clock by Kurt Cyrus | A wonderful rhyming story about an old clock and all the animals who have made it a home.
Let's Go Home: The Wonderful Things About a House by Cynthia Rylant | We've all been spending a lot more time at home lately - this is a good reminder of what we love about home.
Give Me Back My Bones by Kim Norman | Pirates and shipwrecks make this book the most fun way to learn all the names of the bones in the body.
Sofia Valdez Future Prez by Andrea Beaty | I love all the picture books in this series (The Questioneers). This one is about a girl who is determined to get city hall to listen to her, even if she is just a kid.
Farmer Palmer's Wagon Ride by William Steig | Steig is my favorite children's book author of all time, and this is one of my most favorite books. Farmer Palmer, a Pig, and his donkey, Ebenezer, take a trip into town but encounter a number of obstacles trying to get back home.
The Amazing Bone by William Steig | Another by Steig, because he really is the best. This one is about a talking bone and it couldn't be more charming.
Hello, Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall | The most gorgeously illustrated book about life in a lighthouse.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales | Based on the author's real life experience immigrating to the United States. It's a beautiful tribute to books and libraries.
Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton | Four funny little friends are trying to catch a bird and while they do have a plan, it may not be the best plan.
The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett | A hall of fame book at our house about a princess and a pig who get switched at birth. So funny!
King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen | King Hugo makes everything about him, but when he accidentally offends a witch, she casts a spell that literally causes his head to swell.
Ray by Marianna Coppo | The very funny story about the adventure of a light bulb named Ray.
A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman | I'm always so charmed by Hoberman's fun rhyming skills and her detailed illustrations. This is wonderful.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o | We just added this to our home library and it's stunning! Sulwe has skin the color of midnight and she just wants lighter skin like her mother and sister. But a magical journey through the night sky helps her see herself in a whole new light.
Truman by Jean Reidy | The sweetest story about the cutest little turtle trying to make a journey to the front door.
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival | A really cute book about dealing with worry. An excellent book for kids!
Boxitects by Kim Smith | Be warned: your kids will need some empty boxes after reading this creative and inspiring story!
It Began With a Page by Kyo Maclear | I'm a long time fan of Gyo Fujikawa, so I bought this book about her life the day it was released! It's phenomenal!
The Hundred Year Barn by Patricia MacLachlan | Discover the beauty and stories of a barn that has stood for a hundred years. I love this one!
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg | Fourteen mysterious pictures with fourteen captions, each inspiring you to tell your own story. Wonderful book!
The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski | A little girl receives a book filled only with pictures that whispers to her and inspires her to create her own stories.
Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome | A stunning picture book biography of Harriet Tubman with the most beautiful water color illustrations.
Robinson by Peter Sis | This book is genius! I love how the author blends a story from his own childhood with the story of Robinson Crusoe. The illustrations are perfection.
Crown: An Ode the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes | An award winning story about a barbershop visit. A must read!
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming | A day in the life of a bee. The illustrations in this one are so intricate and fascinating.
P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever by Raj Haldar | Gnat starts with G, but Knot starts with K. The English language is weird, but this book is fun.
My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis by Paul Meisel | A day in the life of a Preying Mantis - one of nature's most awesome creations.
Can an Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart | A fun and fascinating look at the sounds animals make. I love this author!
If You Were the Moon by Laura Purdie Salas | Learn a little something about the moon while also enjoying a cute story.
Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story by Suzanne Slade | An excellent picture book biography about a female naturalist.
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca | A picture book biography about Dr. Patricia Bath who overcame many obstacles during the Civil Rights Movement to become an eye doctor.
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman | Another hall of fame book at our house about a family of picky eaters. I think I have this one memorized!
The Pickwick's Picnic: A Counting Adventure by Carol Brendler | A super fun counting book with illustrations that my kids love to pore over.
All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle | Travel to Cuba in this spectacular book!
I Am Not a Fish by Peter Raymundo | Starfish and aren't fish, but this little starfish needs a support group to feel okay about it.
The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat | The cutest imaginary friend you ever did see!
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems | This has long been a favorite read aloud at our house. Leonardo wants to be scary, but he's downright terrible at being a monster.
A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson | A fun little book about changing perspectives and appreciating what you have.
Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke | Goblins, mermaids, fairies . . . you'll want to read this one!
Don't Call Me Grandma by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson | A story about the author's great-grandmother who ate fish for breakfast, never gave hugs, and didn't want to be called Grandma by anyone. I saw the author read this aloud and it was a wonderful experience!
Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure by Camille Andros | My favorite science loving bunny that always persists.
Once Upon a Goat by Dan Richards | A royal couple asks their fairy godmother for a kid, but instead of the baby they were hoping for, they receive a goat.
Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer | Sometimes an imaginary friend is just the thing.
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens | A classic about a wiley rabbit who keeps tricking old bear into giving him all the best parts of the garden crops.
Madame Badobedah by Sophie Dahl | A beautiful new book about an unlikely friendship between a young girl and an old woman.
The Dress and the Girl by Camille Andros | One of my favorite picture books last year about a girl, her favorite dress, and a trip across the ocean.
We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen | One hat, two turtles. This is a good one!
Quiet by Tomie de Paola | I'm so sad we lost Tomie this year, but I'm glad his legacy will live on in wonderful picture books like this one.