Summer Fun: Picture Books

"Based in Duck Bay, Manitoba, in the 1940s, an Elder shares his experience of packing up to go out to collect blueberries, a traditional gathering that took place every summer. He describes the journey and landscape with humor and such vivid imagery that readers will see themselves there with him, boarding the trail of wagons from surrounding communities and heading east toward the blueberry patch. The Elder's stories offer a journey back in time...

When Gideon decides that he is going to build the most spectacular sandcastle anyone has ever seen without the help of his little sister Audrey, his day at the beach becomes a lesson in sibling bonding.

"On the last day of a family vacation, a little girl is as blue as the sea, and her shoes are filled with sand. What should she do with all of this sand? Together, she and her brother decide to plant the grains of sand, and imagine what will grow. A field of beach umbrellas, to wave hello to the sun? Or a forest of windmills, to fill the sails of a boat? Before drifting off to sleep, the girl has her dad promise they'll go back for new grains of sand...

"This photo essay explains the basic changes to the natural world that come in summer and note summer activities children enjoy."-- Provided by publisher.

"Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly...

"Akuluk is visiting her family in Nunavut and can't wait to get out on her uncle's boat for a ride into the powerful Arctic Ocean. Surrounded by her family, and with her trusty toy polar bear beside her, Akuluk experiences the beautiful sights, sounds, and animals that abound in the ocean and along the shore during the short Arctic summer--from a mother polar bear and her cubs to a family of belugas and tiny Arctic fox kits. As they encounter each...

"This sweet and gentle picture book celebrates summer in Japan, as one little girl shares her love for insects with her cousin who is visiting from America."-- Provided by publisher.

This science rhyming picture book for young readers captures the drama of turtle hatchlings trying to follow the Moon to make their way to the ocean. But what will happen if the Moon doesn't shine brightly the night they hatch or lights from nearby homes distract them? How will they get to the ocean in time? Backmatter details the lifecycle of a turtle and the seven turtle species.

"It's finally summertime! The Guardians of the Galaxy are off on a trip to map the cosmos with plans to see as much as possible in one day. From surfing the waves of Zenn-La and riding a tandem bike on Morag to playing hide-and-seek in Asgard and enjoying a dazzling display of fireworks on Xandar, Rocket and Groot are determined to enjoy all the best activities that summer in space has to offer!"-- Provided by publisher

A little dog's paralyzing anxiety gives way to bravery when someone smaller arrives in need during a whooshy, splashy, overwhelming day at the beach.