4 Children’s Books To Read Aloud This Summer
Photo by olia danilevich
Summer means sunshine, long days, and hopefully, less stress and more leisurely hours, making it the ideal season to enjoy reading a book together as a family.
But the options are endless. How can you select a book that will satisfy the varied interests and opinions in the family? I believe you can come close if you choose one of the following classic books that feature main characters of both the animal and human variety.
After all, it is nearly impossible not to be charmed by furry protagonists who brighten the lives of the humans around them. Moreover, these stories are all filled with humor, wisdom, and adventure and will make for memorable moments with your kids and loved ones.
01 | Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
A Newberry Honor Winner, this book tells the story of Winn-Dixie, a scruffy, stray dog who transforms the life of a lonely, little girl named Opal. Together they help to unite a community of diverse characters in friendship and understanding, all while Winn-Dixie enjoys plenty of lip-smacking peanut butter.
DiCamillo writes of deep feelings and hard realities, but her words are gentle and offer hope. The themes of searching for joy and connection with others amid loss, loneliness, and longing are relatable to both children and adults. This is a book that will prompt you to laugh and reflect and will nourish your heart and spirit.
Stand-Out Quotes:
“I could feel her listening with all her heart, and it felt good.”
“I lay there and thought how life was like a Littmus Lozenge, how the sweet and the sad were all mixed up together and how hard it is to separate them out.”
“‘Melancholy,’” I repeated. I liked the way it sounded, like there was music hidden somewhere inside it.”
02 | Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
This 1947 American classic and Newberry Honor Award Winner still deserves a prominent place in schools and on children’s bookshelves. Based on real events, it relates the tale of brother and sister Paul and Maureen Beebe adopting and taming a wild Chincoteague foal, whom they christen Misty.
The close-knit relationships the siblings have with each other and with their grandparents as well as with people, such as the fire chief, in their wider community are touching and noteworthy.
And then there are the horses! These beautiful, intelligent creatures are mighty, noble, and free. You can’t help but be impressed by their wildness but also with their responsiveness to humans. It’s a memorable story that was so popular it inspired Henry to write three more books starring Misty: Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague; Stormy, Misty’s Foal; and Misty’s Twilight.
Stand-Out Quotes:
“‘Facts are fine, fer as they go,’” he said, ‘but they’re like water bugs skittering atop the water. Legends now — they go deep down and bring up the heart of a story.’”
“‘Take good care of my baby,’ [Misty’s mother, Phantom] seemed to say. ‘She belongs to the world of men, but I — I belong to the isle of the wild things!’”
03 | Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
This novel is a heartwarming, adventurous coming-of-age tale of a young boy living with his family in the Ozark Mountains.
One day, Jay Berry Lee stumbles upon a band of monkeys escaped from a traveling circus and he’s determined to trap the animals and collect the reward money. Through numerous mishaps and escapades, he learns important life lessons about family, sacrifice, and faith.
Stand-Out Quotes:
“I believe a boy can have anything in life that he wants once he starts working for it. The main thing is not to give up. It makes no difference how tough things get, just bow your back, keep working, and put your heart and soul into it. As you go along your way, live a good clean life, don’t hurt anyone or anything, and always be honest. It doesn’t hurt to pray a little, too. If you do all of those things….You’ll get help when you least expect it.”
“‘Papa,’ I asked, ‘how can you help a wish?’
‘Oh, there are a lot of ways,’ Papa said. ‘Hard work, faith, patience, and determination. I think prayer and really believing in your wish can help more than anything else.’”
04 | Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Like Misty, this Newberry Honor Award book is indisputably a classic and hopefully will remain a staple of children’s literature for generations to come. It tells the remarkable story of an unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte, who sets out to save her friend’s life through her gifts for weaving and words.
This book will make you laugh and cry with its cast of endearing characters, both animal and human, as well as with its profound themes surrounding life, death, and friendship.
Stand-Out Quotes:
“‘Why did you do all this for me?’” [Wilbur] asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.’”
“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.”
In short…
Whether or not you select one of these books for a family read-aloud, be sure to fill your summer with the magic of words and stories! Happy reading!
