3 nautical books for children
From fanciful vessels to pint-size pirates to learning about life in a lighthouse, these reads are perfect for poolside, dockside or backyard reading.
The trend of having a nineties summer has hit the internet hard, and our family is wholeheartedly opting in.
For our family, nineties summer means spending as much time as possible outside, swapping schedules for routines and rhythms, reading lots of books and just generally enjoying ourselves.
As someone who trends very type-A, I can easily get caught up in ensuring things go a certain way—which means I’m great at sticking to a schedule, but not so great at enjoying the process along the way. But last Friday, I filled a kiddie pool, set up a couple folding lounge chairs and let my little ones run free while I read in the shade. We ran in and out of the house for snacks, left the door open and let flies in, got chocolate from melting ice cream bars on swim suits and there was a trail of dirty footprints leading to the bathroom, but it was the most glorious afternoon. We were present, happy and simply enjoying God’s simple pleasures and each other’s company.
100 percent recommend. 5/5 no notes.
How are you enjoying summer so far? Any tips for staying present and soaking in the joy? Please share in the comments!
Recipe: Summer berry quinoa salad with strawberry vinaigrette (Delicious as a main with grilled chicken or a side at your next BBQ.)
Easy way to be a fun mom: Let your children be bored. This might not immediately win you immediate fun points with your little ones, but giving yourself a break from planning activities and their little brains a break from constantly doing and consuming will help everyone in the long run.
Fun read: “How to be a good friend, even when you’re spread thin and overwhelmed” (I want to call out No. 4: Checking in with friends on birthdays, important dates, or simply a day out of the blue to let them know you’re thinking of them is very easy, yet it means SO much.)
“The Maggie B.” written and illustrated by Irene Haas
Recommended age: 3 - 7 years
A little girl’s wish to sail on a boat named after her with “someone nice for company” comes true in this dreamy, yet adventurous tale. “The Maggie B.” is exactly the sort of book I would have loved as a little girl: It’s an exciting tale of adventure, yet young readers are confident that the protagonists are safe and secure in their vessel, surrounded by beauty and joy. If your little ones have a heart for adventure, imagination and epic cuddle sessions, consider adding this to your summer reading list!
“Captain Jack and the Pirates” written by Peter Bently, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Recommended age: 3 - 5 years
Three little boys build a boat out of sand on the beach, then embark on an epic adventure at sea, complete with enemy pirates, a raging storm and ice cream.
This is a delightful story for reading during snack breaks at the pool or when a lazy afternoon needs a little pick-me-up. The nautical terminology was a bit advanced for a non-seafarer like me, so be prepared to do a bit of prep work if your children pay attention to vocabulary, but this read is a beachfaring gem!
“Hello, Lighthouse” written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Recommended age: 3 - 6 years
Follow the daily life of a lighthousekeeper and his family in this beautiful, absorbing read. My five-year-old son felt so transported while reading this book that he didn’t want (spoiler alert) the family to have to leave the lighthouse at the end. I agree with the School Library Review: "A love letter to the joys of country living and family life as well as the importance of treasuring the past and all its stories."
“The world is thy ship and not thy home.” — St. Therese of Lisieux
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OMG The Maggie B. looks so good!
We have and love two of these - Sophie Blackall and Peter Bently are auto buys in this house. Peter Bently, in particular, is maybe one of my all time favorite authors (the other book in this series is excellent also - King Jack and the Dragon).
I’m so excited to check out Maggie b - just put it on hold at the library!