Great reads for the summer

There’s nothing quite like being outside, basking in the sunshine and enjoying a good book.

It is something I enjoy doing, and as you can tell from the above picture, is also a growing love of my son’s.

I’ve been looking around for the best children’s books for summer and have found some great reads and ideas too. 

If you’re not already busy being inspired by Roald Dahl you could add some of his classics to your summer reading list.  You may already know the ridiculously popular B.F.G and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but how about trying The Enormous Crocodile or his Revolting Rhymes? There are plenty to choose from within the Roald Dahl collection.

For picture book fans Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, have new books out this summer.  The Zog is out in hardback, and Tabby McTat is released in the more affordable paperback version.

Eva Ibbotson's The Ogre of Oglefort is a tale of an orphan boy and a troll, going on an adventure to save a princess from an ogre.  From reading initial reviews, it looks like it will be a hit with both boys and girls.

If you’re heading to the seaside you could try Shark and Lobster’s Amazing Undersea Adventure.  This clever book by Viviane Schwarz has an unusual design.  Pages turn from bottom to top, rather than from side to side, to help create the feeling that this adventure is going on under the sea.

There’s also Heather Dyer’s first novel, The Fish in Room 11.  This is a story about how a lonely boy living at a hotel striking up an unlikely relationship with a family of mermaids.

The Seal Surfer is a moving tale from Michael Foreman about a boy, his granddad and surfing with seals.  The book gently addresses love, trust and dealing with life and death.

For Jacqueline Wilson fans there is Buried Alive.  A funny story of how Tom and his best friend, Biscuits, deal with bullies during their holiday in Wales.

I also found some great summer reads for children on Netmums.

The Scrub-a-Dub-Tub blog has some excellent advice for summer reading.  Audio books cna be great to listen to in the car or on the train. And why not make this summer the one your children get their own livrary cards?  

You could also take up a summer reading challenge from the Reading Agency.  This annual initiative runs in libraries throughout the summer holidays.  The idea is simple, to read six books over the summer.  This year, there's a chance to Space Hop between your choices.

Or why not take part in a world reading record attempt? Scholastic aim to beat the record they set themselves last year, and need your help. Sign up to read for the world record.

So, do any of these books or ideas tickle your fancy?  What will you be reading this summer?

Photo credit: Ian Newbold