Whether you’re packing for a day by the sea or just dreaming of sandy toes and salty air, there’s nothing like a good beach read to set the mood. And yes, little readers deserve their own stack of beachy books! For today, since I have done summery reads, beach reads, and similar earlier, I wanted to do something different. So using the acronym BEACH READS, I put together this list of delightful picture books and early chapter books. Together, they are sure to make a splash.
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For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday where the theme is, yes…
BEACH READS!
- Big Blue Whale by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Nick Maland. A nonfiction look at the magnificent blue whale, full of facts and wonder. OWR: Majestic
- Ebb and Flo and the Sea Monster by Jane Simmons. A charming seaside tale of friendship, imagination, and one suspicious-looking log. OWR: Sweet!
- An Island Grows by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Cathie Felstead. A poetic exploration of how islands form, from volcanoes to lush landforms. OWR: Lyrical
- Curious George Goes to the Beach by Margret & H.A. Rey. George’s beach day is full of mischief, ice cream, and sandy antics. OWR: Playful
- Hello Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Mark Astrella. A sensory-rich celebration of the sea and all it offers to explore. OWR: Immersive
- Rainbow Fish, The by Marcus Pfister. A family-favorite, glittery tale of sharing and self-discovery in the deep blue sea. OWR: Shimmery
- Emily Windsnap: Six Swishy Tails of Land and Sea by Liz Kessler. A half-mermaid, half-human girl discovers a hidden underwater world full of magic and mystery. OWR: Enchanting
- Aqualicious by Victoria Kann. Pinkalicious’s beach day turns fantastical when she meets a pink mermaid. OWR: Sparkly
- Dolphin Adventure by Wayne Grover, illustrated by Jim Fowler. A scuba diver helps a dolphin family in this true story of ocean rescue. OWR: Heroic
- Sandcastles Are Forever by Ellie Peterson. A tender and wise picture book of summers and life-long friendships. OWR: Enduring.
Related Stuff on Beach Reads and More…
Pair the books above with some more fun beach stuff to make it all summery, whether you go to the beach or just try to recreate it right at home! For, if you can’t go to the beach, you can bring beachy vibes to wherever you are!
Here are a few suggestions for you. Beach toys along with a sand box, like this really cool one that is durable and has wooden benches inset for more seating! Or Kinetic Sand (I know I love this! and that it comes in delightful colors too). And this adorable Big Blue Whale stuffed toy to keep us company while at play!
If you are looking for more dolphin or mermaid reads, then check out Dolphins at Daybreak (Magic Tree House magic!) or How to Catch a Mermaid (which we love).
If you are looking for more reads across age groups as well, check out my previous lists:
- The Ultimate Chill List of Cool Summer Reads
- Looking Forward to Great Reads and Sunny Summers
- From Beautiful Beaches to Bollywood and Lost Things
- The Wondrous World of Water Bodies According to Hoyle
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, do you have a favorite beach read? Any children’s reads you would want me to add to this list? Which of these would you pick first? Go ahead and toss one (or more) into your beach bag—or curl up with them at hom, and let them transport you to the beach! Do share in in the comments—I’m always looking to add to our summer (or winter, or fall, or any-weather) story stash!
