Summer Read Alouds

As we are nearing the end of May (how!?) I thought it would be fun to compile a list of some newer and fun end-of-the-year and summer read alouds.

For sentimental end-of-the-(school)year moments…

You’ll want to check out Memory Jars (2021) by Vera Brosgol as an end-of-the-year, reflecting on our school year book. This book made me have all the sentimental feelings and would be such a good addition to the typical end-of-the-year books if you haven’t already added it! Freda and her grandma pick blueberries in July and then grandma teaches Freda about making jam, which sparks Freda’s idea to add all kinds of things to jars to save the memories.

Teaching ideas: I would love to pair this book with an activity where my children pick their favorite things to put in a memory jar… the ideas with this book are endless! You could even cut out jar shapes and have your children write (or draw) their favorite memories from their school year to “save” in a memory jar.

I’ll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca (2022) tugs at my heartstrings as it feels me with warmth thinking of my own wonderful grandmothers. Similar to Memory Jars, another grandma and granddaughter duo shine in this story. Jyoti, who lives in the US, and Sita Pati, her grandma who lives in India, travel back and forth in separate summers to visit one another and their families. Children who travel to India to visit family or have family that come to visit in the US will certainly connect with the story, as will many children who have traveled to visit a loved one far away from home.

Teaching ideas: This book would be a great way to practice comparing and contrasting (a big kindergarten end of the year skill that can be tricky). What do Jyoti and Sita Pati do in India, compared to the US? What is similar and different about each country and what these characters do in each?

This next book would pair so perfectly with a day trip to an aquarium. Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez (2023) not only has gorgeous illustrations that felt like a magical fairyland and draws readers in, but also is written by the Mother of Sharks herself and educates while inspiring young scientists. It’s perhaps a little more geared for the older end of the early childhood (and up) age group; I would decide based on your particular children but would say kindergarteners and older would better understand the content, although the illustrations would engage your younger learners too. The author herself is a shark scientist and successful marine biologist, which can help introduce this career choice to your young learners while also serving as a role model to youngsters.

Teaching ideas: If you are homeschooling or reading this during the summer to your own children, I would highly recommend pairing this book with an aquarium day if you live near one and are able to arrange this. This book is a great jumping-off point for learning more about sharks and other marine animals.

Another teaching point would be to reinforce fiction versus nonfiction, especially in regards to the main character Meli and her water safety (I can’t help it, my mind is always on safety!). For example, Meli swims off by herself, talks to a hermit crab, and travels across time and space. In reality, we know that Meli should be watched by a grown up and wear water safety gear, hermit crabs don’t speak English, and we don’t really travel around in the way that Meli does in the story. My kindergarteners always loved finding what makes fiction books “fiction”, and this book provides this opportunity as well.

Finally, be sure to explain to your children that while the story is fiction, the character Meli is real and actually did grow up to be a successful marine biologist and study sharks! This could lead to exploration of some really cool jobs that are out there, as well as igniting new interests.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (2020) is a must for your summer reads! Jabari, his dad, and his sister spend a day at the pool while Jabari summons his courage to finally jump off the diving board. His dad his patient and encouraging while helping Jabari to discover the bravery in himself.

Teaching ideas: I would pair this book with a conversation about what your children have been afraid of and have conquered (maybe the first day of preschool or kindergarten, for example) and what they are currently hoping to gain the courage for. A writing and drawing follow up would be a great way to express their goals, and share together ways that they have found courage for hard things.

Bubbles… UP! by Jacqueline Davies (2021) brings back all the magic of visiting the pool in the summer when I was a child. Your children will connect to the main character’s fun day at the pool, playing with friends underwater, sitting out a thunderstorm, and diving for her baby brother’s toy that he drops in.

Teaching ideas: This book is a perfect launch to a writing and drawing prompt about what your children most love about the summer. Summer activities are endless and students will be excited to dream about upcoming pool visits, camping trips, visits to grandma and grandpa’s, lemonade stands, etc. This book is another good opportunity to review water safety with the youngsters too- for example, swimming with a responsible grown-up swimmer, wearing a life jacket if they are not yet strong swimmers, taking swim lessons, listening to the life guard, and never going near water alone.

I hope you have found at least one new summer read aloud to add to your collection and that you enjoyed this post. Happy summer!!!