A vacation, for a child, is a week in a house that smells like someone else's soap. There is the packing, which is mostly negotiation; the drive, which is mostly waiting; and then the arrival, when the beds are in the wrong places and the light through the window is unfamiliar and everything is suddenly worth it. Then it rains for two days. Children's books are unusually honest about this — that the trip you remember is rarely the trip that was planned, and that the last morning, when the car is packed and the sheets are stripped, is its own small ache.
Bookroo's collection of 291 vacation books covers the whole shape of it: the countdown, the car, the rented cottage, the grandparents' spare room, the beach that turns out to have a sea monster in it. Our editors chose thirteen that hold up on a fifth reading — a Caldecott Honor about relatives arriving in a station wagon, the road trip every eight-year-old wants, a rained-out family beach week, and two summer novels — one from 1957, one a National Book Award winner — built for reading aloud a chapter a night for as long as the trip lasts. Start with the shortlist, then use the age shelves below for picture books to read before you leave and chapter books long enough to survive the drive.
The relatives drive up from Virginia in an old station wagon and stay for weeks, and nobody in the house sleeps in their own bed again until they leave.
The Heffleys attempt one wholesome family road trip, and a seagull, a pig, and several hundred miles of highway object.
Arthur has been dreading this vacation for weeks, and then it rains on every single day of it.
Four Penderwick sisters, one widowed father, and a rented cottage on an estate whose owner would very much prefer they were not there.
Two best friends are sent to nature camp for a week and spend most of it indoors at Eamon's grandparents' beach house.
One annual road trip, two grandmothers, and a great deal of food between West Virginia and Florida.
Princess Magnolia takes her first vacation in ages, hands monster duty to the Goat Avenger, and reaches the beach roughly four minutes before a sea monster does.
Peter's family rents a house in Maine for three weeks, and the family next door turns out to be the Tubmans.
The same cabin, the same lake, the same north woods — and a child who is a little older and a little braver each summer.
Diggers, fire trucks, and forklifts finally clock off, pack up, and head for the beach.
Pig the Pug travels the world and behaves appallingly in every country he lands in.
Two cousins spending the summer in the country push through a swamp and find a row of abandoned Victorian resort houses — with two people still living in them.
Mai expected a California beach summer and gets a village in Vietnam instead, with a grandmother who is looking for answers about a husband lost in the war.
Packing, long car rides, beach days, cabins, and holidays that go sideways — read-alouds for ages 3–7.
A boy waits for his friend at the beach, but unexpected moments unfold.
Can Alvin and the Chipmunks break free from Dave's rules on their cruise?
Pugtato unearths a mystery in his garden. Can his quirky friends help solve it?
A bear discovers a cabin and is enchanted by a woman's mysterious stories.
Join Little Critter on a beach adventure full of surprises.
A young owl named Eva goes on a beach vacation with her family and friends, where she faces her fears and makes new discoveries.
Join the Berenstain Bears for seaside adventures and endless summer fun.
Can Clifford find Emily Elizabeth on her faraway vacation?
A dog and child sneak away for summer adventures while parents remain unaware.
A family goes on a disastrous vacation in the Great Grizzly Mountains
A curious monkey gets into various misadventures during a vacation and a trip to the zoo
Escape the city's chaos for a peaceful autumn adventure in the countryside.
Summer houses, road trips, resort mysteries, and trips to relatives far away, for independent readers ages 6–11.
A boy and his dad redefine 'home' through weekend adventures post-divorce.
Four siblings discover a mysterious charm that grants wishes, but with unexpected and often chaotic consequences.
A summer friendship hides secrets that could change lives during World War II.
A girl seeks Beatles fame to win back her social status and distant father.
A holiday turns into a rescue mission when a baby turtle needs help finding its way home.
A girl and her dog face war's chaos, striving to keep their family together.
Kat has two weeks to prove herself worthy of adoption, but challenges at school and the animal rescue test her limits.
Pugs must solve a garden mystery to save their vacation.
A girl falls for a puppy she can't keep. Can she say goodbye?
A family of hyenas must rescue their missing member while keeping their human disguise intact.
Two cousins face off in the Little League World Series. Only one can win.
A blizzard threatens Vanesa's winter vacation as she races to rescue her brother with unexpected allies.
