Recommended Reading: Picture Books

Dive into something deep this summer! From mermaids to merchant men, salty dogs to sailors, we’ve got leagues of seaworthy stories to float your literary boat. Batten down your hatches, and take one of these titles for a sail. Heck, take two.

picture books | beginning readers | chapter books | books for older readers

Quentin Blake
Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave
Mrs. Armitage and her trusty dog Breakspear are trying to hit the surf. If only they could remember everything they need...
E FIC BLA

Veronica Chambers
Amistad Rising
This picture book for older readers uses spare prose and arresting imagery to tell the tale of the infamous slave ship.
E FIC CHA

Bruce Degen
Sailaway Home
Ebullient illustrations and sing-song poetry combine to celebrate one young pig’s discovery of the rewards of adventure, and the greater joys of returning home.
E FIC DEG

Arthur Dorros
Isla
Rosalba joins her Abuela as they take to the air in an imaginary journey to her “esmeralda” tropical island home.
E FIC DOR

Mem Fox
Tough Boris
As a ruthless pirate, Boris defines tough. But when he loses something dear to him, his salty demeanor melts (a little).
E FIC FOX

Nina Jaffe
The Golden Flower
The glowing images in this Puerto Rican Creation Story sizzle with tropical color, setting the perfect tone for this illuminating tale.
E 398.209 JA

Simon James
Dear Mr. Blueberry
When a young girl finds a blue whale in the fountain outside her house, she looks to her teacher for help.
E FIC JAM

Melinda Long
How I Became a Pirate
Jeremy Jacobs foregoes soccer practice to take up with a band of pirates, but discovers that high-seas adventure isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
E FIC LON

Nancy Shaw
Sheep on a Ship
Tongue-twisting rhymes proceed at a happy clip as everyone’s favorite sheep try to sail their ship through stormy seas.
E FIC SHA

Jane Yolen
The Ballad of the Pirate Queens
Older readers will enjoy this gruesome epic ballad, based on the true story of two female pirates, spared a death by hanging when they plead their bellies.
E FIC YOL