• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Simple Homeschool

Never let your schooling interrupt your education.

  • Start
    • Homeschooling 101: What to Teach and When to Teach It
    • 10 ways you’re making your homeschool day harder than it needs to be
    • 10 things every new homeschooler should know
    • How to homeschool: Links to help you get started
    • I want to homeschool, but don’t want the responsibility
    • Audiobook Deal Directory
    • Jamie’s recommendations
  • About
    • Meet Jamie
    • Meet the Contributors
    • Advertise
  • Blog
    • Most Recent Posts
    • Categories
      • curriculum
      • family time
      • field trips
      • home maintenance & management
      • inspiration
      • methods & philosophies
      • a mom’s education
      • organization
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • Quiz
  • Community
  • Search
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Start
    • Homeschooling 101: What to Teach and When to Teach It
    • 10 ways you’re making your homeschool day harder than it needs to be
    • 10 things every new homeschooler should know
    • How to homeschool: Links to help you get started
    • I want to homeschool, but don’t want the responsibility
    • Audiobook Deal Directory
    • Jamie’s recommendations
  • About
    • Meet Jamie
    • Meet the Contributors
    • Advertise
  • Blog
    • Most Recent Posts
    • Categories
      • curriculum
      • family time
      • field trips
      • home maintenance & management
      • inspiration
      • methods & philosophies
      • a mom’s education
      • organization
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • Quiz
  • Community
  • Search
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

A Lighthearted Summer Reading List for Kids (& Moms, Too!)

July 19, 2010 //  by Jamie C. Martin//  12 Comments

Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and founder of Steady Mom

During the traditional school year, you’re probably a bit more stringent when it comes to allocating your time. After all, there’s so much to squeeze in: the lessons, the chores, the laundry, the meals, the extracurriculars–not to mention still having a teeny bit of free time left for yourself and the kids.

But when summer hits, everyone is ready for a little down time–nothing too strenuous or thought-consuming for a while. It’s the perfect time to fit in those books that you just never get around to during the rest of the year.

With those sentiments in mind, check out this lighthearted summer reading list. Read through the titles, print out this post, and take it with you the next time you head to the library.

Picture Books

  • The Complete Adventures of Curious George (make sure you look for the original stories by H.A. Rey)
  • Tales from Beatrix Potter
  • A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry
  • The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola
  • Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
  • Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
  • The Library by Sarah Stewart
  • A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban
  • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
  • Come On, Rain by Karen Hesse

Chapter Books

  • Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
  • Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright
  • The Wheel on the School by Meindert Dejong
  • Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
  • The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
  • The Stories Huey Tells by Ann Cameron
  • The School Story by Andrew Clements
  • A Book of Coupons by Susie Morgenstern
  • A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
  • Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang by Ian Fleming

Books for Mom

  • Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross
  • Never Too Late by Angela Thirkell
  • The Mrs. Pollifax Series by Dorothy Gilman
  • Christy by Catherine Marshall
  • Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley
  • A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
  • 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
  • My Life and Hard Times by James Thurber
  • All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot
  • At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

So when the heat becomes oppressive and you need to escape, head to the library and stock up for free on hours of fun and entertainment.

Enjoy your week!

What titles have made it to your summer reading list?

Category: family timeTag: literature

About Jamie C. Martin

Jamie is an introverted mom of three, who loves books, tea, and people (not always in that order), and avoids answering the phone when possible. She co-founded SimpleHomeschool.net in 2010 and began IntrovertedMoms.com in 2020.

Jamie is the author of four books, including Give Your Child the World (reached #9 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list), and her latest release, Introverted Mom (an ECPA bestseller). Her work has been featured by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow, the Washington Post, Parents, Today Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Previous Post: « Weekend Links
Next Post: 4 (Fun) Basic Elements of Backyard Science »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renee

    July 19, 2010 at 7:51 am

    My friend Spring is re-reading At Home in Mitford right now and I’m inspired to do the same, except it will be my first read.

    I just finished reading Family Man by Calvin Trillin – wonderful summer read. I need to pick up a whack of new books this week at the library, I’m all out. So thanks for the timely post.

    Reply
    • Jamie ~ Simple Homeschool

      July 20, 2010 at 8:10 am

      The Mitford series is lovely, Renee–warm, light-hearted, but very well-written!
      Jamie ~ Simple Homeschool’s latest post: A Lighthearted Summer Reading List for Kids &amp Moms- Too!

      Reply
  2. erika

    July 19, 2010 at 8:03 am

    Thanks for the book suggestions! As if I needed to add any more to my already to-long list. . . Actually, my list is lacking lighter fare right now, so this is a nice reminder. I will definitely be looking some of these up when I’m done with my current pile.
    erika’s latest post: So- WHY Read the Bible- Then Part 1

    Reply
  3. Kara Fleck

    July 19, 2010 at 10:55 am

    oh, 84 Charring Cross Road 🙂 How I love Helene Hanff (highly recommend Q’s Legacy, too – though perhaps not as “light” it will definitely lengthen your reading list). Love the movie, love the book!

    this is a great list, Jamie! Thanks!
    Kara Fleck’s latest post: Make Your Own Backyard Obstacle Course

    Reply
    • Jamie ~ Simple Homeschool

      July 19, 2010 at 1:13 pm

      I haven’t actually read it, but the description sounds delightful!
      Jamie ~ Simple Homeschool’s latest post: A Lighthearted Summer Reading List for Kids &amp Moms- Too!

      Reply
  4. caroline starr rose

    July 19, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    I love Come On, Rain! Karen Hesse is amazing. It was so fun to share Pippi and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle with my boys.

    I just can’t get into Mrs. Pollifax, but have had my nose buried in old Agatha Christies.
    caroline starr rose’s latest post: Lisa Schroeder Interview and Giveaway

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Jo

    July 20, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    I love getting book suggestions. Books I have/am/will be reading:

    Interpreter of Maladies
    The Life of Pi
    A Long Way from Chicago (to the kids)
    A Year Down Under (to the kids)
    My Father’s Hands
    Flannery O’Connor’s A Good Man Is Hard to Find
    The Lacuna (didn’t finish it)
    The Help
    Jennifer Jo’s latest post: Picklehead

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

Take my new quiz:

Jamie’s “Quiet” Community:

Jamie’s bestselling books:

Copyright © 2023 Simple Homeschool · All Rights Reserved · Disclosure and Privacy Policy · Site by Design by Insight