Our Favorite Picture Books for August (An End of Summer Reading List for Kids)

Time is so sneaky in the summertime, isn't it? August can simultaneously stand still and slip right through your fingers. One day it's so hot you can’t stand it, and the next it’s September and you’re pulling out the pumpkin scented candles.

In our family, August signals that school will be starting again soon and that it’s almost time to settle back into the familiar routines of fall. So I make it a point to put out books that feel vibrant and summery, but also sneak in a little educational value as well. (And beautiful illustration, as always.)

Here are our top 5 summer picture books for the last month of lemonade & 90 degree weather. I hope they find their way into your end of summer reading too!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which just means I may earn a small commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. I only share the stuff I love or would use in my own home.

The Golden Glow

Benjamin Flouw

My youngest’s favorite book! As you can see, it’s nice and worn from years of love.

One day as Fox is reading in his botany books, he comes across a fabulously fascinating flower: The Golden Glow. This book follows him through the woods as he classifies trees and flowers, and up into the mountains to find the prized specimen.

This book is really fun teaching young readers about plants. I remember being in the park with my son when he pointed to a tree and said “look mom, the famous maple! I learned that from the Golden Glow!” I was shocked!

The illustrations in this book are also very unique, featuring geometric shapes in every aspect of the drawing from the characters to foliage to the grape pâté sandwiches. It’s not only a great read aloud, but it would make a great art lesson as well! Cut out a geometric shapes of paper to create collages of flowers and trees, then discuss how you can use different types of shapes to add interest to your artwork.

I love how much young artists can learn from books like this!

The Little House

Virginia Lee Burton

A classic, must have book for any children’s library. Virginia Lee Burton truly created a work of art that has stood the test of time when she illustrated it! I love pulling this one out in August to prep the kids for the upcoming school year. It’s a beautiful story about change, endurance, and restoration.

In the back of our copy, Virginia’s son writes this about his mother’s illustration process:

“Among the many unique aspects of Jinnee’s work is that if you look at the pages of The Little House, you’ll notice that the house never moves on the page- that is not by accident. No word, no line, no element of design, no shape is out of place- it was all intentional, and that’s what made her a truly groundbreaking genius. All of my mother’s books have withstood the test of time, the test of generations of young readers, and no book has gone out of print. Her efforts to make every book a special treasure in the trove of every young reader is likely what accounts for their enduring legacy as among the greatest books of their time.”

What a tribute!

Do It Bad: A Growth Mindset Book for Kids Who Learn by Making Mistakes

Didi Dragon + Lenaska Ti

In this book, a fun eccentric aunt comes to help her niece learn how to learn by taking what I would call the “Miss Frizzle” approach. They get messy, make mistakes, and learn resiliance side by side as they try all kinds of creative pursuits together.

As someone who has super over-achieving oldest child syndrome, I really enjoyed the message in this story. I think that it is a perfect read aloud for students at the beginning of any Back to School season.

Nature Anatomy

Julia Rothman

Okay, not technically a picture book, but… look at the pictures! Obviously I am very into artsy non-fiction. This book is an illustrated nature guide that covers everything from weather patterns, to leaf identification, to the anatomy of a jellyfish. It is part of a six book series, each just as beautiful as this one.

I think the coolest thing about this guide is that it is lovely enough to read and to decorate your coffee table. A book that acts as functional decor and teaches you the dynamic transitions of the rock cycle? Yes, yes please.

The Honeybee

Kirsten Hall + Isabelle Arsenault

I understand the 10th commandment, I do. Thou shalt not covet other illustrators. But boy, does Isabelle Arsenault make that difficult for me!

This is my favorite illustrated children’s book. There, I said it!

When I first saw this book I literally gasped. I beg my kids to read it with me! I come back to this book again and again to get lost in the pages. Isabelle and Kirsten work together to seamlessly blend vibrant, celebratory, life-filled illustrations with flowing, chantable script that is not just catchy- it’s educational! I mean, how? They nailed all of my absolute happiest things! I geek out over it every time!

As an illustrator who cares about your happiness, I must insist that you to read this book.

(Just don’t tape directly on the cover when you are wrapping it for Christmas like we did. Ours now has two little ripped spots on the cover- and two matching rips in my heart.)

Our Favorite Picture Books for August (An End of Summer Reading List for Kids)