Fun Summer Books for Kids from Sourcebooks

Summer is “unofficially” here (Friday, June 20th is the official first day of Summer). Kids are out of school, parents are looking forward to a much deserved vacation and families and friends will gather around backyard pools and barbecues to make memories and more.

Just because school is out doesn’t mean that children shouldn’t keep up with their reading.

When my kids were in school they had mandatory summer reading. They had to read two books and write a book report over the summer. Some people were against that saying kids should enjoy their vacations from school, but I disagree. I think it’s very important to continue to encourage children to read over the summer. I’m on the fence about “mandatory” books. I think children should have the opportunity to choose titles that appeal to them. Forcing a child to read a book they have no interest in can be “torture.” I should know. I remember that from when I was in school. Reading Jane Ayre was difficult for me. I had zero interest in it.

If you are in need some books for your children this summer, check out the new titles below from Sourcebooks.

🐠 What Fish Are Saying: Strange Sounds in the Ocean written by Kirsten Pendreigh, illustrated by Katie Melrose (Jun 2025; hardcover; ages 4 to 8) — Did you know that deep in the ocean, fish are loud? With modern technology, scientists have recently discovered that fish and shellfish grunt and groan, crackle and cluck, and even burp and boop to communicate. They warn each other, woo each other, and welcome each other with sounds, making the ocean noisy!

I’m an adult, and I love the ocean. I think it’s a fascinating place, especially since most of the ocean has yet to be explored. There is no telling what creatures lurk in the ocean that haven’t been found yet.

It’s also hard to think that there are sounds in the ocean.

I went whale watching off the coast of Massachusetts many years ago. It was an amazing experience. I learned about Whales and how they communicate with one another. Whales are not he only creatures that make sounds under the waves.

This is a fun, educational book with wonderful graphics.

🦖 Digging for Dinosaurs: At the Beach written by June Smalls, illustrated by Grace Habib (May 2025; board book; ages 0 to 4) — In this uniquely interactive board book, toddlers go “digging” for dinosaurs by lifting flaps, discovering many objects at the beach along the way! A delightful introduction to paleontology, young children will enjoy this treasure-hunt approach to storytelling, and their excitement will grow as they get closer to finding the greatest treasure of all: a dinosaur!

What child doesn’t love a lift the flap book.

Help the little explorers in this book find what they are looking for as they dig and sift looking for dinosaur bones and other treasures. Lift the flaps to see what they discover.

Super cute illustrations and I appreciate the interactive aspect of this book.

🦜️ Don’t Disturb the Pirate!: A Bedtime Adventure written by Rhiannon Findlay, illustrated by Siân Robe (May 2025; hardcover; ages 3 to 6) — Sneak over, under, round and through the book, just remember. . .don’t disturb the PIRATE

Help a young boy search for his lost puppy Patch on Scallywag Island, however, no matter what you see or hear, never disturb the pirate.

This is a fun story with wonderful, colorful illustrations.

My cousin is really into pirates. I want to give this book to her grandson. She’ll really enjoy reading it with him.

⛱️ Elmo’s Day at the Beach written by Sesame Workshop, illustrated by Barry Goldberg (May 2025; hardcover; ages 3 to 7) — Join Elmo and the Sesame Street friends for some fun in the sun as they work together to build a sandcastle using STEM principles and perseverance!

Who doesn’t love Elmo.

Elmo takes a trip to the beach where he meets his other friends like Cookie Monster, Abby Cadaddy and Big Bird. They work together to build a sand castle.

Even those this is an Elmo book, the test might be a little too much for very young and early readers. This book is better to be read to and discuss all the action going on each page.

Bright and colorful illustrations, which you would expect from a book about Sesame Sreet characters.

🏕️ Camping Activities for Kids: 20 Hands-On Projects to Explore Nature written by Steve Lemig, illustrated by Tara Sunil (May 2025; trade paperback; ages 8 to 12) — Going on a camping trip? Encourage kids to explore like a scientist with an illustrated camping activity guide for ages 8 to 12.

As an adult “I” love this book. I’m sure kids will lover it even more.

This book is chuck full of fun things you can do when you go camping. Learn all about compasses, how to make a pine cone campfire and so much more.

I love that this book teaches and educates children as well as give them easy and fun activities to do.

Camping will never be boring again with this book. It’s a must have if your family has plans on going camping.

🌊Ocean Activities for Kids: 20 Hands-On Projects to Explore the Sea written by Laura Petrusic, illustrated by Kim Malek (May 2025; trade paperback; ages 8 to 12) — This fun and interactive guide for kids shows you how to discover the seas with an active mind for learning.

I did not receive this book to review, so I cannot really comment on it. Sorry…

🚗Awesome Road Trip Activities for Kids: Over 100 Fun Games, Puzzles, and Journal Prompts! by Jen Tousey (Mar 2025; trade paperback; ages 8 to 12) — You’ll find oodles of travel-themed fun for hours of entertainment on long road trips. With 9 different types of activities and over 100 individual puzzles, games, and prompts, this book turns “Are we there yet?” into “Aww, we’re there already?”

Just like the camping book, I LOVE this book too. There are SO MANY fun games and activities children can do while taking a long care ride. Its even handy in other situations.

Draw what you see on your travels, write in a journal about what you are seeing and doing, word searches, number and word games… there is A LOT do do within the pages of this book.

I wish I had a book like this available for my kids when we took road trips. It would have been a life saver.

The following books might not be what kids want to read over the summer (too educational), but I thought I would include them in case childre are interested or have questions about what they are seeing on the news these days.

The Bill of Rights: A Kids Guide to Freedom in America

The. U.S. Constitution and You

I’ll admit that I don’t remember much of what I learned about the Constitution and Bill of Rights when I was in school. I remember some of the information, but admittedly, I don’t know as much as I should.

This book helps to simplify things so that they are easier to understand. Both book are written in a “kid friendly” way to get the information across to them. The books are also filled with illustrations to help get the point across.

Many kids might not want to read something educational, but this would also be a great way to get a jump start on what they will be learning in the new school year.

If you are interested in learning more about these books, or other wonderful book titles, visit Sourcebooks.com. You can also check them out on social media.

You can buy the books directly on the Sourcebooks website. Many of these books are also available at other retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Does your child read over the summer? Is it mandatory or they do it for fun? I’d love to hear more about it. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.

Kimberly

*I received free book samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.