I am very excited about the summer reading theme here at the library: Color Our World. From the first moment I heard what the theme was going to be, it has been on my mind, and I noticed I was seeing bright and vibrant colors in so many picture books. Here are a few colorful books that inspired me! I hope you enjoy reading all summer long.
Written by Mabi David
Illustrated by Yas Doctor
Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book.
If you want a book full of vibrant colors, this one will definitely meet your expectations. Bold and eye-catching, the illustrations are a reminder that color is all around us, including in delicious foods that we eat. Even the endpapers are a deep and stunning shade that made me think of summer! I appreciated the tips the author included for why eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is important for all of us.
Written by Dana Marie Miroballi
Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
New York: Abrams Appleseed, 2025. Picture Book.
This picture book packs in a lot of appealing elements. Not only does it incorporate plenty of color, it also has rhyming and counting. Each spread has a small side bar that lists the name of an inventor as well as their invention. The index contains more information on each of them. I feel this book would really appeal to a younger audience, particularly children who are learning numbers and colors.
By Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Chicago, IL: Albert Whitman & Company, 2025. Picture Book.
Marabella is the main character in this book that talks about noticing life around you. She is a young girl who is often overlooked and unnoticed by her peers. However, she is very invested in making sure she pays attention to the world around her. One day at school while feeling particularly lonely, she decides to draw a picture on an outside wall. The students are shocked and tell her she is going to get in trouble. When her teacher sees, though, she does NOT get in trouble. Her teacher tells her how beautiful the artwork is and encourages her to do even more. Eventually the other students join in, and a very magical moment is created.
By Emmy Kastner
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book.
This is another book featuring brightly colored endpapers. Tortoise and Mouse are best friends and live together underground. One day their home develops a leak, so they decide they need a new home. I liked some of the twists and turns (literal and figurative) that this book takes. New friendships are developed, old friendships are tested, and we see a journey and witness Tortoise's persistence. I absolutely adore this book!
By Micah Player
New York: Rocky Pond Books, 2025. Picture Book.
Anyone who knows me even remotely well can tell you I have a deep and abiding love for documenting sunsets in photos. There have been many times when I am driving and my passengers heard me say that I had to pull over quickly and get a picture! So, naturally, this cover really appealed to me. Each moment in the book is truly captured and shared in a delightful way. Sometimes I will get a little teary when reading a picture book, and that happened to me when reading this one. Please read this book!
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