It’s National Beach Day and today I’m sharing a roundup of great beach books for kiddos who are beginning to read on their own. The great thing about early readers is that they are small and lightweight enough to tuck into your beach bag for a sunny day of reading. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
HELLO CRABBY! Written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske
Scholastic Acorn
Crabby, a crabby crab has lots to complain about so Plankton tries to cheer him up. Kids love this book written in graphic comic style and can’t help but laugh at the corny jokes, expressive illustrations, and beachside humor. Fortunately, this is the first in a series of six.
PETE THE CAT: Pete at the Beach by James Dean
Harper Collins Shared My First Reading I Can Read
We all know Pete the Cat of picture book fame and it’s fun to see his adventures continue for young readers. Pete loves the beach but isn’t quite sure about going in the water. But the day is hot, and surfing looks like fun, so Pete overcomes his fear and discovers that rocking and rolling on the waves is a great way to spend the day.
TY’S TRAVELS: Beach Day by Kelly Starling Lyons (author) and Nina Mata (illustrator)
Harper Collins Shared My First Reading I Can Read
Ty uses his imagination to turn his sandbox and sprinklers into a day at the beach. Things get even more fun when he is joined by his neighbor friend who arrives with a beach ball. This is one of a series featuring brown skinned Ty, his family, and friends. Each book has a kid friendly plot and is written so children can gain confidence as they read along.
SABRINA SUE LOVES THE SEA by Priscilla Burris
Simon Spotlight Ready-to-read level one
A chicken at the beach? Why yes, this makes sense when you meet Sabrina Sue, a little chicken with big dreams. She’s bored of the barnyard and finds a way to take an adventure to the sea. There’s so much to see but misses her friends so she returns with stories to share. Each page has a few lines of text, dialogue is in speech bubbles, and expressive illustrations making this a good choice for beginning readers.
TESS AND THE WAVES by Claire Annette Noland and Pascale LaFond
RR Books level G
Tess is excited to be at the beach with her family, but no one wants to play with her. Unfortunately, her beach balls rolls into the ocean. Surprisingly, a wave brings it back. Tess is thrilled to learn that waves make great playmates. (Full disclosure – I wrote this one.)
YOU CAN MAKE A FRIEND, POUT-POUT FISH! By Deborah Diesen
Scholastic Pout-Pout Fish Reader level One
Poor Pout-Pout Fish. He doesn’t have anyone to play with at school and doesn’t know how to make friends. But just maybe, he can smile and say hi to his classmates. By the end of the day, he has friends galore in this encouraging, very easy to read, friendship story.
GILBERT, THE SURFER DUDE by Diane deGroat
Scholastic I Can Read: Reading with help level two
It’s family beach day but, on the way, Gilbert realizes that he has forgotten something important-his swim trunks! Fortunately, they find some at the shop but the ones he chooses are too big. His bathing suit falls off and people around him think its a jelly fish or sea monster. The book is written in engaging chapters which makes kids laugh out loud.
FLAT STANLEY AND THE LOST TREASURE by Lori Haskins Houran and Mackey Paminatuan (illustrator) based on the characters created by Jeff Brown
Scholastic I Can Read: Reading with Help level two
A perennial favorite character with the chapter book crowd, emerging readers can now enjoy reading Flat Stanley adventures. Stanley has been flat since a bulletin board fell on him. There are benefits to being flat but not at the beach when people keep walking over him. Fortunately, he loves scuba diving. While in the ocean, Stanley and his brother find a treasure, rescue a dolphin, and ride the waves.
FISHY RIDDLES by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg and Simms Taback (illustrator)
Puffin Easy-To-Read Level Three
I don’t think there’s a child who doesn’t love jokes and riddles and this one is perfect to share at the beach. Funny illustrations accompany bite sized jokes like:
If a hungry shark is after you, what should you feed it?
Answer: Jawbreakers!
THREE BY THE SEA by Edward Marshall (author) and James Marshall (illustrator)
Puffin Easy-To-Read Level Two
Three friends make up stories with each one getting more and more outrageous. This is a classic for children who are becoming more proficient at reading and enjoy tall tales.
SHELBY & WATTS: Tide Pool Troubles by Ashlyn Anstee
Viking Books for Young Readers
Shelby, the fox and Watts,the badger, combine their skills to solve mysteries in this first of an early chapter book graphic novel series featuring these clever animal detectives. This mystery is set at the ocean where the detectives help a hermit crab discover where the seashells have gone. Scientific facts are interspersed within the story making this a good title for young beach explorers.
What kind of books do you like to read at the beach?
Join the Discussion!