It is officially summer, so we are celebrating by featuring picture books about the beach! In Ken Wilson-Max’s Aqua Boy, follows a young boy, Aaron, who loves the ocean but fears swimming in it. After a big storm, Aaron and his family find themselves helping a stranded octopus return to the ocean. Aaron finds himself so invested in the rescue that he plunges into the ocean to watch the octopus swim away, finally conquering his fears with the help of the ocean itself. This transformative experience of one young boy highlights how all living things are connected in a beautiful story combining bravery and environmentalism.

Check out more beach picture books from our collection below!

A Boy, His Dog, and the Sea
Written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Published by Candlewick Press
Available today

Aqua Boy
Written and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Beach Hair
Written by Ashley Woodfolk
Illustrated by Nina Mata
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

If You Spot a Shell
Written and illustrated by Aimée Sicuro
Published by Random House Studio
Available now

The Suitcase
Written and illustrated by Daniela Sosa
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and Paula Wiseman Books
Available now