Best Board Books for Summer (2026): Picks Compared by Reading Age

A toddler who wants flaps to lift on a warm afternoon is who these best board books for summer are for. We compared each listing’s reading age, contents, value and publication date, so a parent of a baby or toddler can match the book to the child.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Baby Loves Summer by Katz	9.7/10	Buy
2	Llama Llama Sand and Sun by Dewdney	9.7/10	Buy
3	Backyard Bugs by Little Hippo	9.4/10	Buy
4	Animal ABC by Harding	9.3/10	Buy
5	Seek and Find Home by Wonder House	9.3/10	Buy

1

Baby Loves Summer by Katz

Karen Katz·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A summer lift-the-flap board book for toddlers who like finding a sun, flip-flops and an ice cream cone under the flaps.

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Pros

• Every flap is about summer, so the theme matches this list directly
• Listed reading age of 1 to 2 years agrees with the Preschool and up grade level
• The description says the format is sturdy and the flaps are easy to lift

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• Only 14 pages, so it is a short read for an older toddler
• Publication date is May 1, 2012, the oldest date among these picks

2

Llama Llama Sand and Sun by Dewdney

Anna Dewdney·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A touch-and-feel beach book for toddlers who like sand, waves and five textured elements.

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Pros

• Beach, sand and sun settings fit a summer shelf directly
• Five interactive touch-and-feel elements, as the description lists
• Part of the Llama Llama series, so a family who likes the character can find more

Cons

• The description calls it both a board book and a casebound book, so check the format
• Reading age is marked as from customers, and no grade level is stated
• Only 10 pages, so it is a short read

3

Backyard Bugs by Little Hippo

Little Hippo Books·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A silicone touch-and-feel book about backyard bugs for toddlers who like insects, though the listing names no season.

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Pros

• Silicone touch-and-feel elements sit on the cover and each spread, as the listing states
• Question-and-answer format with facts about a butterfly, a snail and other backyard creatures
• Listed ages Baby to 6, a wider range than most other picks

Cons

• Reading age (Baby to 2 years) and grade level (Preschool to 1) disagree, so check before buying
• The description does not mention summer, so the fit is the bug theme, not the season
• The author field names the publisher, Little Hippo Books, so no individual author is credited

4

Animal ABC by Harding

Maria Harding·9.3/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An alphabet board book for babies and toddlers learning letters, with no summer theme in the listing.

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Pros

• Pairs each letter from A to Z with a playful animal and an activity
• Padded board book of 26 pages that the description calls sturdy for repeated reading
• Listed reading age of Baby to 3 years matches its first-alphabet focus

Cons

• No summer or seasonal theme appears in the listing
• Reading age is marked as from customers, and no grade level is stated
• Publication date is April 25, 2018, so check for a newer printing if you want one

5

Seek and Find Home by Wonder House

Wonder House Books·9.3/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A seek-and-find board book with tabs for toddlers who like naming everyday objects at home.

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Pros

• Tabs and labeled objects give toddlers something to point at and name
• Listed reading age of Baby to 3 years carries no customer mark
• 10 pages of bright scenes with objects such as a watering can and a spoon

Cons

• No summer theme appears in the listing; the objects are everyday household items
• Only 10 pages, so it is a short read
• No edition is stated, and the only date given is October 14, 2019

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More picks to compare

• Spot Goes to the Swimming Pool by HillFor toddlers who love pool days: Spot's first swim, a board book.Check on Amazon
• Summer in the Forest by FinchFor toddlers who enjoy lift-the-flap pages about a summer forest visit.Check on Amazon
• Spot Goes to the Beach by HillFor toddlers who like beach trips: Spot builds sandcastles and tries surfing.Check on Amazon
• Caterpillar's First Summer by CarleFor toddlers who know the caterpillar: a seasonal story with simple large text.Check on Amazon
• Mouse's First Summer by ThompsonFor toddlers who like picnic stories, with Mouse and Minka in the park.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Every pick lists a reading age, and only some also list a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best board books for summer

Start with the reader’s age

Use the listed reading age as a starting point: Baby Loves Summer gives 1 to 2 years and Animal ABC gives Baby to 3 years, both marked as from customers. For more ages, see our board books for toddlers list.

Check the season and the subject

Baby Loves Summer and Llama Llama Sand and Sun name summer or beach settings, while Backyard Bugs, Animal ABC and Seek and Find Home are general board books. For read-aloud sessions, our storytime board books list covers that goal.

Before you buy

• Check the format on the listing: the Llama Llama listing describes itself as both a board book and casebound.
• Check the publication date: Baby Loves Summer is dated May 1, 2012, and the Seek and Find Home listing states no edition.
• Compare the listed reading age with your child, since most listings mark it as from customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is Baby Loves Summer for?

The listing gives a reading age of 1 to 2 years, marked as from customers, and a grade level of Preschool and up.

Is Llama Llama Sand and Sun part of a series?

The description says it is part of Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama series, but the listing does not state a series position.

Which pick has the newest publication date?

Backyard Bugs is dated April 26, 2021, the newest date among the picks, though its listing names no summer theme.

Still deciding? Our top pickBaby Loves Summer by Katz

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Related lists

See every Picture Books list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: board books for babies, board books for preschool and board books for development.