The Boxcar Children. The Babysitters Club. Amelia Bedelia. The Berenstain Bears. The Chronicles of Narnia. Nancy Drew. Anything from Dr. Suess. These series, characters, and authors kept me company so many summers. I remember grabbing piles of these books at the library and spending hours sitting on the porch, in my bed (way past bedtime), on the couch, and in the back of the car (remember pre-tablet travel?) reading through all of them, usually more than once. Reading is an adventure you never have to leave your house to join, making it the perfect summer activity. Luckily for all of us, there are so many new books to savor this year! Here are a few that your kids (and you) won’t want to miss!
Empowered: How God Shaped 11 Women’s Lives (And Can Shape Yours Too)
This is a compilation of biographies of women—but this book is honestly more about the faithfulness of God who empowered these women to do what He asked them to do. Empowered by Catherine Parks flips the popular idea of what it means to be a strong girl on its head, showing that real power comes from our loving Father through His Son and removing the pressure girls may feel to conquer the world on their own.
For girls ages 8-14.
Strong: How God Equipped 11 Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Power (And Can Do the Same for You)
A compilation of biographies of men, this book is for middle reader boys and highlights various godly men who stood firm, even when no one else would stand with them. The book is full of stories of danger, risk, courage, and sacrifice—and is guaranteed to keep boys reading until the very last page while reminding readers that God is the source of true strength!
For boys ages 8-14.
Your kids may have seen these, but if not, they’re in for a summer full of adventure. This series penned by Priscilla Shirer brings to life the invisible struggle ensuing in the spiritual realm. Xavier, Evan, Brianna, Manuel, Ivy, and their friends have typical lives until they enter a mysterious land called Ahoratos. There they meet their guide, Ruwach, who offers wisdom and direction as the kids’ adventures begin—adventures filled with armor, danger, and a very real enemy.
This series is perfect to read together as a family, or for kids ages 8+ to read on their own!
Slugs & Bugs: Are We Still Friends? and Who Will Play With Me?
Fans of Dr. Suess? You and your kids will LOVE these fun new books from Slugs & Bugs creator, Randall Goodgame. Doug (the Slug) and Sparky (the Bug) take off in two stories, Are We Still Friends? and Who Will Play With Me? Using few words but lots of visual storytelling, these hilarious books contain plenty of biblical wisdom and are sure to be read over and over.
These books are perfect for kids just learning to read or for the whole family to read together. As an aside, my almost first-grader read these for the first time this past week and was full of giggles and out-loud laughter.
If you love Ellie Holcomb’s music, then you will definitely love her first book, Who Sang the First Song? Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, Who Sang the First Song? reveals that God our Maker sang the first song, and He created us all with a song to sing. As an added bonus, grab her children’s album, Sing!, which contains the book as a song!
This gorgeous book is perfect for those kiddos who can’t quite read on their own or for families to read together. My three kids (2, 3, and 6 years old) love the song so much that we sing it all the time, and this book is usually at the top of the request pile at night before bed.
Which book will you and your little one be reading next!
Rachel Shaver is a book marketer for B&H Publishing Group by day, and by night, a mom to three sweet, rowdy kids, who she affectionately refers to as the “toddler mafia.” She and her husband, Evan, make their home in a little town right outside of Nashville, TN.