BOOK MARKED
12 Books About
Summertime Fun
These children’s books are filled
with the adventures and hijinks we
associate with summer, plus a few
activities to try at home.

BY JENNIFER ROTHSCHILD,
COLLECTION ENGAGEMENT LIBRARIAN, ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
PRESCHOOL best summer ever together. Then Allie’s par-
ents tell her she’s going to sleep-away camp,
but Amy isn’t. Now the friends have to find
Written and illustrated by
a way to still have the best summer—with-
Gaia Cornwell
Jabari has finished his swim lessons, passed out each other.

his test and can’t wait to jump off the high
dive. But when he gets there and looks up, ‘If I Were a Park Ranger’
up and up at the diving board, he finds many Written by Catherine Stier,
things he needs to do before he works up the illustrated by Patrick Corrigan
courage. Learn about everything park rangers do at
our National Parks, including which parts of
‘Hike’ the job change depending on which park you
Written and illustrated by Pete Oswald work at.

In this nearly wordless picture book, a boy
and his dad take an early morning hike and ‘Plant, Sow, Make and Grow’
are filled with wonder at nature’s sights and Written and illustrated by
sounds. Their adventures, including cross- Esther Coombs
ing a river on a log and climbing a steep This colorful guide for young gardeners not
slope, are rewarded with a wonderful view. only covers planting and tending a garden,
but also includes related art projects and sci-
‘The Bear’s Garden’
ence experiments.

‘Jabari Jumps’
Written by Marcie Colleen,
illustrated by Alison Oliver
After her tomato plant falls off the window-
sill into the empty lot next door, a young
girl starts a community garden, leaving her
stuffed bear in charge when she can’t be
there to help the plants grow.

EARLY ELEMENTARY
‘Adventures of Allie and Amy:
The Best Friend Plan’
Written by Stephanie Calmenson and
Joanna Cole, illustrated by James
Burks MIDDLE GRADE
‘To Night Owl from Dogfish’
Written by Holly Goldberg Sloan and
Meg Wolitzer
When their dads start dating, Bett and Avery
are secretly sent to the same summer camp
in hopes they’ll bond. However, in this
reverse “Parent Trap,” the girls know about
the plan and are determined to make sure
happily-ever-after isn’t in the cards.

‘Lumberjanes: Beware
the Kitten Holy’
Best friends Allie and Amy have planned the Written by Noelle Stevenson and
38 Washington FAMILY JUNE 2020