Unlike the days when we slathered ourselves in baby oil and fried our skin in the summer sun trying to achieve the perfect tan, we know better now. Thanks to global warming, there are certain hours of the day during the summer when our kids should be inside no matter how good we think their sunscreen is.
Video games and screen time are fun activities, but if you want them to spend some time unplugged, give them the option of a good book. We have some fun recommendations for kids and YA. Enjoy!
Llama, Llama Sand and Sun by Anna Dewdney – Sand sun, waves, and water. The beach is a fun place to go, especially if you are a llama. For ages Baby to 2
Duck and Goose Go To The Beach by Tad Hills – Duck convinces Goose to go on and adventure to find the beach. They walk past a meandering shady thicket, and over a distant hill. Duck and Goose love the change of scenery, but when they get to the beach, Goose is the one who loves the beach while Duck he would be happier closer to home. For ages 1-3
The Sandcastle That Lola Built by Megan Maynor – For ages 1-4
Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae – Rhyming poems and colorful illustrations introduce little ones to the wonders living in the sea. For ages 1-4
Mermaid School by Jon Alegria – Welcome to a school where mermaid teach kids to swim. Alegria is a nationally recognized swim instructor and author. This charming story teaches parents and children the basics of swimming in a fun and exciting way to make them excited about going in the water. For ages 2-6
Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deep by Charlotte Watson Sherman – When Kenzie slips on her mermaid tail, she feels just like a real mermaid, but one day as she is snorkeling her tail gets tangled up in garbage. Kenzie grabs her spear and mermaid net and begins to clean up her ocean. Other kids see her and rush to help Mermaid Kenzie. For ages 3-5
Sand Cakes by Callie George – Sand is good for more than just building sandcastles. It’s perfect for making beautiful cakes, but why doesn’t anyone, including the sea gulls who’ll eat anything, want to taste this sand-baker’s treats? For ages 3-7
We’re Different and It’s Totally Cool by Camey Yeh – We may not look alike or think alike, but our differences can add variety to our lives. Even when we do look the same, we are still unique and it’s all a wonderful blessing. For ages 4-8
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrap – A graphic novel about a girl growing up in Iran during the revolution? For ages 12 and up
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen – A graphic novel about a boy who can only communicate with his Vietnamese family through fairy tales. How will he tell them he is gay? For ages 12-17
Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame – A coming if age and coming out graphic novel. Set in Japan, Sora is a sixteen-year-old aspiring painter who wants nothing more than to be able to live his truth, but he fears his family and friends will not accept that he is gay. When his friend Nao wants him to be her boyfriend, Sora thinks her idea would make his life easier. When Nao meets Mr. Amamiya, an out and proud man, he begins to realize the importance of living his truth. For Young Adults