2026 Summer reads for young kidsLike this list

36 items

• The Jellyfish Bus

  Lee, Suhyeon (Illustrator),

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  A slow-moving jellyfish finds his groove transporting deep sea tourists in this story about the power of community. Ages 3 to 6

• The Secrets of the Jellies

  Amazing Jellyfish and Their Surprising Talents

  Jameson, Karen

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  An informational picture book that introduces different types of jellyfish and their features. It explains their anatomy, behavior, and habitats in a simple, engaging way. Includes a variety of species and basic facts about ocean ecosystems. Ages 4…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sharks

  Teeth to Tail

  Garnett, Jaye

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  Touch, read, and discover fascinating facts about the often misunderstood, fascinating fish that has called the ocean its home for over 450 million years. Ages 3 to 6

• Here Comes Ocean

  Fleming, Meg

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  The rhythmic arrival of waves is captured through playful, lyrical text and energetic illustrations. Children can feel the motion of the ocean and the joy of interacting with nature. Ages 3 to 5

• Otter Doesn't Know

  Fritz, Andrea

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  Indigenous artist and storyteller Andrea Fritz tells a tale of a salmon and a sea otter who learn it's ok to say "I don't know" and to ask for help. Ages 4 to 6

• The Ocean Calls

  a Haenyeo Mermaid Story

  Cho, Tina M.

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  Set in the world of the haenyeo, Korean women free divers, this story blends folklore and history. Readers explore intergenerational knowledge, cultural tradition, and the enduring human connection to the sea. Ages 4 to 6

• I See Sea Food

  Sea Creatures That Look Like Food

  Grodzicki, Jenna, 1979-

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  Meet some of the wackiest creatures under the sea -- creatures that look like food -- through engaging text. Ages 3 to 6

• Island in the Salish Sea

  McFarlane, Sheryl, 1954-

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  Every summer, a young girl spends idyllic days with her grandmother on an island in the Salish Sea, exploring tide pools, picking blackberries, watching harbor seals, and soaking in the rhythms of coastal life. Warm, watercolor illustrations and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• This Book Is Dangerous!

  Clanton, Ben, 1988-

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  Help Jelly attempt to safely navigate through the dangerous ocean and this book -- with hilarious results! Ages 3 to 6

• The Seaweed Blanket

  Deas, Nancy

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  When Maren and her younger sister visit lonely Aunt Pearl, they long to play in the sea but their aunt keeps them too busy until the dog accidentally gets out and a chase ensues. The girls are splashed by magical waves that turn their skin to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Who's Afraid of the Light?

  McGregor, Anna

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  Fergus lives down in the deepest, darkest sea and is scared of just one thing… the light! Ages 4 to 6

• Into the Mighty Sea

  Abundis, Arlene

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  When Mariel’s emotions become a big sea of color, she must learn to sail through or get lost in the swells. Ages 4 to 6

• Pizza Shark

  Lowery, Mike, 1980-

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  Deep in the ocean, Edgar, a goofy, toothy young shark, and his best crab friend, Lotta, are getting ready for the best kind of party. A pizza party! But Edgar forgot the most important thing... the pizza. Ages 4 to 6

• Fish and Crab

  Coppo, Marianna

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  Fish and Crab are best friends, always there for each other. When it's time for bed, Crab is ready to go to sleep, but Fish is still wide awake, wondering: What is that noise—that ooh, ooh? What if aliens abduct us as we sleep? What if it rains…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Don't Trust Fish

  Sharpson, Neil

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  An absurdly laugh-out-loud funny picture book about the villainy of fish. Ages 4 to 8

• What Goes in the Ocean?

  Elys, Dori

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  Dive into various ocean habitats to find what should go in and what should stay out in this nonfiction board book sure to make a splash with curious young minds! Ages 3 to 6

• Professor Astro Cat's Deep Sea Voyage

  Walliman, Dominic, Dr

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  Despite covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, the ocean is still roughly 95% unexplored. Join Professor Astro Cat and the gang as they take a deep dive from the sea shore all the way to the darkest depths of the ocean floor to find out more…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ocean

  Durley, Natasha

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• One Day at the Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea

  Bernstrom, Daniel

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  In this rollicking, rhyming undersea adventure, a clever young pearl diver finds herself face‐to‐face with a hungry shark. Rather than panic, she uses her wits. Bright, colorful illustrations and rhythmic text make this a fun read‐aloud that…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Den That Octopus Built

  Sonenshine, Randi, 1968-

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  Follow one of the ocean’s most mysterious animals in this warm but candid look at its dramatic life cycle. Ages 4 to 8