Beach Reads for Kids

There's something special about reading on the beach. Here are some great recommended reads for your next water-adjacent reading session!

Updated June 18, 2025
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Vacation : three-and-a-half stories
Dyckman, Ame
Paper Book
A Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner In the second book in the Bat, Cat & Rat picture book series from New York Times bestsellers Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague, the roommates try to compromise on vacation plans in three-and-a-half sweet and silly stories. ...
We are definitely human
Fang, X.
Paper Book
WINNER of the Ezra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award * An American Library Association Notable Children's Book A hilarious alien invasion story with a feel-good message about what it means to be human. Perfect for earthlings of all ages. When three mysterious...
Sona and the golden beasts
LaRocca, Rajani
Paper Book
From Newbery Honor and Walter Award-winning author Rajani LaRocca comes a gripping middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent's Secret and The Last Mapmaker. Though music is outlawed in the land of Devia, Sona hears it everywhere. Sona is a Malech, a member of the...
The dictionary story
Jeffers, Oliver
Paper Book
From the award-winning creative team of Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston comes an enchanting and imaginative picture book certain to delight word lovers of any age. Dictionary wishes she could tell a story like other books. So one day, she decides to bring her words to life. How...
It began with lemonade
Sterer, Gideon
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author Gideon Sterer is an imaginative, colorful tale of making (and selling!) lemonade from life's lemons is not too sour and not too sweet. One scorching hot summer day, a spunky young girl decides to sell lemonade . . . only to find there...
The dragon's apprentice
Riley, James 1977-
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * In this hilarious fantasy adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Story Thieves series, a girl strikes a deal with the ancient, cranky dragon she accidentally summoned to teach her the forbidden magic she needs to save her mother.
Ursula upside down
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
Ursula the catfish finds confidence in seeing the world her own way in another innovative, flipped-format picture book from Caldecott Honoree and Geisel Award winner Corey R. Tabor. Ursula is a happy catfish, swimming through a shimmering river with weeds waving...
Dog vs. Strawberry
Buchet, Nelly
Paper Book
A dog and a strawberry find themselves nose to stem in this hilarious picture book that's perfect for dog lovers. An epic battle ensues-who will come out on top? A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Welcome to the Greatest Race of All Time! ...
Two together
Wenzel, Brendan
Paper Book
In this companion book to They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat, a journey home leads to unexpected adventures for a cat and dog. A playful, imaginative story of friendship, empathy, and discovery by Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel. Cat and Dog...

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