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Our Summer reading basket is full of beautiful books to complement the season and the Australian landscape.
Summer for us is usually bright blue skies, long grasses washed to a yellow-white colour and a blazing sun. And although we have had some soaringly hot days this year (up into the 40s), we’ve also enjoyed wonderful storms bringing cooling relief, with weeks of more gentle temperatures (in the early 20s).
My children love exploring our reading basket each time it is changed. The books I make available follow the seasons and festivals of the year, helping us maintain a rhythm to our days.
Books in our Summer reading basket
by Shaun Tan
A new book for Max, about the rules children make up for their games through Summer. An intriguing book to spark the imagination, filled with illustrations of Summer landscapes.
Max is really rather taken with this story and with puzzling out the rules!
All Through the Year
by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker
Follow an Australian family through their year. Long days in January at the beach, cooling air in March as the leaves turn colour, and the shortest day and longest night in June. This book relates the seasons to our part of the world with whimsical illustrations and a lovely rhythm.
A lovely story that could be added to any seasonal reading basket.
A Year On Our Farm
by Penny Matthews and Andrew McLean
Nature and the seasons are explored through an Australian family’s life on a farm is this lovely story. With little bits of humour to capture the imagination.
This is one of Max’ favourite stories, and again could be added to any seasonal reading basket.
Today we have No Plans
by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker
A book that takes us through what can be a busy family week, ending with a wonderfully amazing day in which there are no plans!
To us, Summer is like a day with no plans ~ as it stretches on, people are more relaxed and days less structured.
Pip the Gnome
by Admar Kwant
This simple board book takes us through the seasons with Pip the Gnome. We meet his friends the robin in Summer and a wren in Winter. This book is not based in Australia, but translates well because it does not anchor the seasons to the months of the Northern Hemisphere.
It is one of Ruby’s favourites, and a good bedtime read.
Two Summers
by John Heffernan and Freya Blackwood
This story contrasts two Summers on the farm, when a friend, Rick visits. One year they play in the dam and help with the animals. The following Summer there is a drought and things are tough.
Many parts of Australia are in drought and this story nicely illustrates the impact.
Many of these enjoyable books were recommended by my friend Jackie from My Little Bookcase. I find it rather hard to resist the books she recommends! Pop on over to see for yourself *grin*
What books do you have in your Summer reading basket?
Happy reading,
Kelly
