summer reading for kids ☀️📚🎣
a brilliant fishing guide + the funniest picture book around
We are officially in full-on summer mode here in Minnesota. Today marks the first day of summer vacation in our household, and my three boys couldn’t be happier. Later this afternoon, they’ll pile into the SUV with my husband and head out on what’s become their annual kick-off-the-summer camping trip. Just a couple of days, but they'll hike and fish, eat by the campfire, cram into one tent, and return with smoky clothes and a handful of great stories. I love this for them. And, I won’t lie, I love the solo time for me. 😉
But let’s talk books. Today I’ve got a gorgeous, practical nonfiction guide that fills a long-standing gap in the children’s book world, and one of the funniest picture books I’ve read all year. They pair perfectly for summer reading. Shall we dive in? 🐟
My First Day Fishing by Will Millard and Joanna Lisowiec is an absolute gem. It’s one of the only nonfiction books I’ve come across in recent years that clearly and thoughtfully explains catch-and-release fishing for kids. Honestly, even adults can learn from it.
From tackles to ties, hooks to baits, this beautifully illustrated guide covers it all. Fish identification charts, step-by-step diagrams, tips for caring for your catch, and gentle reminders about protecting our natural resources. It’s practical, informative, and surprisingly peaceful to flip through. I originally bought it for my boys, but I find myself reaching for it just as often. Having grown up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I’ve been around fishing my whole life, but this book gave me a deeper appreciation for the art of it and the fragile ecosystems we’re so fortunate to have.
And once you’ve learned how to catch those fish? You might want to get to know them a little better. Enter Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat.
Easily one of the funniest picture books of the summer. What begins as a straightforward animal classification guide quickly spirals into hilarious chaos, thanks to a rogue narrator with “opinions” about fish. These “rebels and outlaws” are not to be trusted. It has been a long time since I’ve read a picture book with the wit and comedic timing that Sharpson brings to the page. From the first page to the last, Sharpson keeps the one-liners going. Pair this with Santat’s brilliant deadpan illustrations, and this combo is hard to beat. I won’t spoil the ending, but trust me: read this one all the way through. I’m betting grown-ups will laugh just as hard (if not harder) than their kids.
Whether your summer involves camping trips, fishing, quiet afternoons at home, or just finding ways to keep everyone entertained between snack breaks (seriously so many snacks!!), these two books are a perfect pair. One will get you ready to hit the lake, and the other will have you laughing all the way back. 🎣☀️📚
Happy Reading!
As always, each book is linked, so you can read more about the book if you are so inclined. If a book was not linked, the book most likely is out of print, so I highly encourage you to check for the book at your local library. All the books mentioned today can be found here. I receive a small percentage if a book is purchased through a link, and bookshop.org supports independent bookstores, so your purchase is doing double the good! Of course, the other options are to check for these books at your local library or your favorite independent bookstore. Thank you, as always, for supporting the work I do here.