Beach Stories

If you're looking for some fun summer reading, take a look at these beach stories for children! From Bebé's beach adventures to an exploration of the treasures found in the sand, parents and children will enjoy reading these beach books together.

A Beach for the Birds

Age Level: 6-9

Ever noticed sea birds at the beach? There's a quiet place on a Maine beach especially for least terns, an endangered bird whose survival is preserved by this retreat. Eye-catching, full-color photographs and informative text juxtapose children and tern beach behavior.

A Beach Tail

Illustrated by: Floyd Cooper
Age Level: 3-6

When Gregory draws a lion in the sand, his father suggests that it needs a tail and a name. As the child begins making a tail with a stick, Dad reminds him, "Don't go into the water, and don't leave Sandy." Although Gregory does not go into the water, his interpretation of not leaving Sandy is highly suspect. As he continues to draw the tail, it leads him a long way down the beach.

At the Beach

Age Level: 3-6
Language: Chinese

Xiao Ming and his mother are spending a summer day at the beach, and the sand is the perfect place to draw characters for words such as "sand" and "water." Xiao Ming's mother helps him see the picture within each character — a trick sure to appeal to readers new to the Chinese written language. The colorful, intricate illustrations, created by cut-paper collages, will fascinate young children. This book is one of a four-part series by the author about Chinese characters related to the different seasons.

Bebé Goes to the Beach

Bebé and Mamá are back! This time they are off to the beach for a fun day of sand castles, surfing, and ice cream. Of course there is never a dull moment with Bebé! Susan Middleton Elya uses the same lilting mix of English and Spanish rhymes featured in Bebé Goes Shopping, and Steven Salerno's vibrant illustrations pop off of the page once more.

Buoy: Home at Sea

Illustrated by: Raúl Colón
Age Level: 6-9

Product Description: Buoy lives in the middle of the sea, far from land and people. Some might think that Buoy would be lonely, but for him, the sea is home. His friend Gull is usually there, sitting atop Buoy's red light. Seal can often be found sunning herself on Buoy's base. The ocean world of these three friends is constantly changing, and always astonishing. They share the sounds of whale song, survive storms together, and watch shooting stars in the night sky.

Hello Ocean / Hola Mar

Language: English, Spanish, Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

A child narrates her visit to the ocean, inviting readers to explore it with her. She experiences the sea with all of her senses through realistic illustrations and lyrical language in this gently rhyming tale.

How Will We Get to the Beach?

Ever resourceful Roxanne determines the best way to get to the beach when her car won't start. Only one way, however, will allow her to take all of her treasures including, of course, the baby! Humor and myriad concepts abound in this engaging and attractive tale told in two languages.

Olvina Swims

By: Grace Lin
Age Level: 3-6

Olvina can swim about as well as she can fly, but her reluctance to swim hasn't been a problem until she's on vacation in Hawaii with her friend Hailey. Will Olvina let her fear of the water spoil her fun? Not with Hailey on the job. Children (as well as chickens) may find learning to swim a daunting challenge. This reassuring story shows that with a little courage, lots of practice, and the help of a good friend, one can accomplish just about anything.

Rafi and Rosi

Rafi and Rosi playing on the beach
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish

Three short stories present three adventures shared by Rafi and Rosi, young tree frogs who live in Puerto Rico. Rosi knows that her older brother is magic; not only can he find things in the sand, he can also make the sea shine! But it is Rosi's magic that finds Rafi's lost pet hermit crab. Cheery, colorful illustrations enhance the humor of this engaging duo.

Rafi and Rosi: Pirates

Rafi and Rosi dressed up as pirates
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish

In this new book in the popular Dive Into Reading: Rafi and Rosi chapter book series, Rafi and his younger sister, Rosi, are excited to visit El Morro Fort, the four-hundred-year-old fortress that guards the entrance to San Juan harbor. At the fort they pretend to be pirates, engage in a fierce battle, and learn about Roberto Cofresi, Puerto Rico's most famous pirate. As they go deeper into the fort they discover a gleaming, hidden treasure — Spanish gold doubloons and silver pieces of eight — hidden in the inner reaches of the fort's kitchen.

The Wakame Gatherers

The Wakame Gatherers
Illustrated by: Kazumi Wilds
Age Level: 6-9
Language: English

Nanami is nervous about translating for her American grandmother, Gram, and her Japanese grandmother, Baachan — especially when the conversation takes a turn towards World War II. As they collect wakame seaweed together, though, she soon realizes that the two wise women have even more in common than she imagined. This lovely tribute celebrates bicultural and bilingual children and the promise of peace.

Tía Isa Wants a Car

Illustration of woman hugging a child sitting on a classic car near the beach
Illustrated by: Claudio Muñoz
Age Level: 3-6

The narrator and her aunt work to save money to buy a shiny green car to take them to the sea. Though it takes time, Tía Isa and her niece reach their goal and buy the car that brings them to the beach. Cheerful illustrations and an upbeat narration with a sprinkling of Spanish words create recognizable characters in a realistic setting based on the author's childhood memories. Also available in Spanish.

Uncle's Magic Thrownet

Young boy and an older relative with a net
Illustrated by: Jamie Meckel Tablason
Age Level: 6-9

Uncle's magic thrownet was magic indeed. It could catch every fish that there was in the sea. But a young visitor soon finds that all is not what it seems with Uncle's old net. Set in the warmth of the Hawaiian islands, generosity, conservation, integenerational learning, and discovery are all shared in this new classic fishing tale.

Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems

Illustrated by: Meilo So
Age Level: 6-9

Translucent watercolors and short, varied poems take readers on a trip to the sea. There they meet sea birds, fish, coral, and more in each short verse. Evocative language creates memorable images of the sea and its often hidden treasures.

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Makes a Splash (Book 4)

Illustrated by: Miguel Benitez
Age Level: 6-9

Freddie Ramos' super running and jumping powers and his confidence disappear after the loss of his zapatos. When his special-soled shoes are found, Freddie is able to successfully confront a bully as well as his own swimming fears. Easy but lively language and line drawings present an engaging story for new readers in the fourth book in this series.