There are two things that the girls and I love – reading together and the Coast. I want to share with you a few of our favorite beach books that make you want to cuddle up on the couch and dream about coastal days. (Or in our case – step outside!) The majority of these are children’s picture books but even as an adult, I draw so much inspiration from looking at the illustrations myself.
- Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall – This book gives insight into the lifestyle of a family that would tend to a lighthouse years ago. We love looking at the rooms illustrated and imagining what it would be like to live in a Lighthouse.
- The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan – This one may just be my favorite. The pictures are so full of life, the storyline is sweet and a bonus for me personally – it follows a multiracial family. This is something that helps normalize our family to our girls. A few of my favorite lines in the book are – “Nose to window, the girl gazed at the waves and whispered, ‘You are my favorite place.'” “The little cottage smelled like bacon, pancakes, and popcorn. The little girl smelled like syrup, sunscreen, and sea.” “The rooms filled again with family, seashells, and songs. The little cottage beamed bright as the days lingered long.”
- One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey – I love the black and white drawings in this one! Something about this sweet story just pulls you in.
- Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney – Quite possibly one of our favorite books of all time! I love that the whole storyline is based on someone taking the initiative to make the world more beautiful. There wasn’t anything vain about bestowing beauty where Miss Rumphius was – it was something she had to do. If anything, it has instilled in my girls (and myself) that making things beautiful is vitally important for our wellbeing and enjoyment. (As if the beach isn’t already beautiful?!)
- The Island Boy by Barbara Cooney – This is a story about a family growing up on an island, working the land and returning to the place they love the most – home on the island.
- The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown – This is the story of an island changing through the seasons. (Are you seeing a trend yet?)
- A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith – I’ve read this one twice now! It follows a multigenerational family through the Florida frontier. If you love the feeling or history of Old Florida – you will love this one! While I haven’t read this one to the girls, I am sure they will love it someday!
- Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey – A full sensory experience! The way the author describes the sights, smells and sounds of spending a Summer on the Island is fantastic. The illustrations are beautiful, as well. This one is another favorite around our home.
- Blue by Suzanne Kaufman – We have a blue heron that lives right up the road from our house! We see him right around the same spots daily! He even graces us in our yard at times. This book is for a younger crowd, but it takes your imagination to the next level! The storyline is about a young boy who has a blue heron as a best friend. Our girls have asked me to read this over and over to them.
I am currently reading The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway! I will report back on this one but so far – it is such a winner!
Comments +