7 Kids Books You Need to Read During the Summer Break

Summer is here! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the New Year has officially begun. It’s the perfect time to relax before school starts again. And what better way to kick off the year than with a brand-new kids’ book? At Better Reading, we’ve picked 7 fantastic summer reads, perfect for warm days, blue skies, and those late-night holiday adventures.

Hooray! It’s Our First Day by Martha Mumford, Illustrated by Cherie Zamazing

We’re going to a new school. Come and join the fun! Get ready to start school with the bunnies, as our four favourite friends set off on an exciting lift-the-flap adventure to get to their first day of school. With lunchboxes, fresh pencils, school bags and treats to find hidden under the flaps, it’s an action-packed treasure hunt! Can you find everything you need to get ready for your first day – and get the bunnies there on time?

Age: 1+

Buy a copy of Hooray! It’s Our First Day here.

We’re Looking for the Perfect Hug by Martha Mumford, Illustrated by Cherie Zamazing

We’re looking for the perfect hug. Come and join the fun! Get ready to celebrate HUGS with the bunnies, as our four favourite friends set off on an exciting lift-the-flap adventure to find the very best, cuddliest, happiest hug of all. With prickly hedgehog hugs, woolly lamb hugs and fluffy chick hugs to find hidden under the flaps, it’s an action-packed treasure hunt! Can you help the bunnies in their search – and get them home in time for bed?

Age: 1+

Buy a copy of We’re Looking for the Perfect Hug here.

Animal Swim School by Kate Peridot, Illustrated by Samara Hardy

Welcome to the animal swim school! This cute picture book is the perfect first book of swimming. Learn from your favourite animals how to blow bubbles like a sea lion, float like a platypus and much more. Each page includes simple instructions and cheerful illustrations, giving little ones the skills to become confident swimmers. Swimming instructions are supplemented by fun animal facts. Did you know that otters hold hands while floating? Or that heavy elephants can actually float? Whether your child is a complete beginner or already a keen doggy-paddler, this is the book for them! What are you waiting for? Let’s dive in!

Age: 1+

Buy a copy of Animal Swim School here.

Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey

Join time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash on an unexpected adventure to the time of the dinosaurs in this brilliantly funny full-colour graphic novel. Perfect for fans of Bunny vs Monkey or Dog Man. Antarctic penguins Pablo and Splash are polar opposites and besties for life. Pablo is a home-bird and a careful planner. Splash is easily bored and hungry for adventure. Sick to her flippers of the harsh, freezing weather, Splash persuades Pablo to go on a holiday with her. But far from the luxury beach destination that Splash has in mind, the pair end up in a time-travel machine that takes them back to the age of the dinosaurs! Suddenly their icy homeland doesn’t seem so dull.

Age: 6+

Buy a copy of Pablo and Splash here.

The Serpent Rider by Yxavel Magno Diño

Tani dreams of fulfilling her destiny as a Serpent Rider, fighting alongside an elemental serpent to defend her village against monsters. More than anything, she wants to protect her little sister Ligaya, the village princess who’s tasked with memorizing their community’s history, including the tale of Great Bakunawa, the most powerful and feared sea serpent that swallowed six of the world’s seven moons. After a devastating monster attack, Tani can no longer wait patiently for her bakunawa egg to hatch. She makes a desperate deal with a stranger who promises her a serpent of her own. But when her gamble puts her sister in major danger, Tani must find a way to save Ligaya before she’s lost forever. All the while, in the depths of the sea, Great Bakunawa is stirring, threatening to devour the last moon and plunge the night sky into eternal darkness . . . This accessible, standalone novel is a perfect gateway for new fantasy readers to dive into enchanting worlds and embark on heart-pounding adventures.

Age: 8+

Buy a copy of The Serpent Rider here.

Howzat Pat #1: Dare to Bowl by Pat Cummins Dave Hartley, illustrated by Serena Geddes

I’m Pat Cummins and I love playing cricket. I love it so much that I sleep with my bat! There’s BIG NEWS in my family – we’re moving from the coast all the way to the mountains and I’m NOT HAPPY about it. I have LOTS of questions, like: Will I FIT IN at my new school? How will I make new FRIENDS? What’s there to DO in the MOUNTAINS?! MOST importantly – WHERE WILL I PLAY CRICKET?!!! If you want to know the answers to these questions, too – READ THIS BOOK!

Age: 8+

Buy a copy of Howzat Pat #1: Dare to Bowl here.

Tennis Camp Diaries #2: Superstar by Ash Barty Jasmin McGaughey, illustrated by Jade Goodwin

TOP SECRET! This is the PRIVATE diary of Ash Barty, future tennis SUPERSTAR! So don’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you… Okay?! Ash is back at TENNIS CAMP and so HAPPY to see her friends again. When they all find out that they will COMPETE at the end of camp in a singles tournament and the WINNERS will get to be a ball kid at the local grown-ups tournament, they all get SUPER EXCITED! Especially when there’s a chance they’ll get to meet their tennis heroes AND go on TV! Will Ash get to meet her HEROES and be a BALL KID to the STARS?