31 Best August Picture Books for Kids: Must-Read Alouds

Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist featuring images of children's books arranged in rows with watercolor words and black bold font.

August Picture Books for Kids. This August booklist for kids is filled with literary gems centered around adventures, back to school fun, animals, and life lessons. This booklist for kids is the eighth of twelve monthly book lists, so make sure you sign up for my mailing list to have it delivered straight to your inbox. I hope you enjoy these beautiful stories throughout the month of July.
Please note that the targeted age range for this booklist is for 3-6 years old but you are never too old to enjoy a well written picture book.

Welcome to Sprinkled with Stories: A Story-Formed Childhood. Here is August Picture Books for Kids Booklist! Scroll to the pink box and grab your freebie and printable booklist.

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If you missed the 31 Best July Picture Books for Kids, grab the list here.

31 Best August Picture Books for Kids: Wholesome Read Alouds

1. Evergreen by Matthew Cordell

A scared squirrel holding an acorn and wearing a torn red sweater looks concerned as she enters the forest on the beloved children's book cover "Evergreen" by Matthew Cordell, a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — Evergreen by Matthew Cordell

This wonderful story is about a timid little squirrel named Evergreen and her brave journey to deliver soup to Granny Oak. Evergreen must overcome many of her fears along the way. The story is divided into short chapters but can be read in one sitting. Matthew Cordell is a Caldecott Medal winner and new to me author.

2. Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox

A black chicken looks concerned on the cover of this farm book for kids. — Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox

Oh, the anticipation! Hattie tries to express her concern about something hiding in the bushes to the farm animals, but the other barnyard animals don’t seem to be taking her seriously. This is one of my toddler’s favorite books. Hattie has become a true friend over the years.

3. Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett

A fancy chicken dressed rides in a carriage over the snowy landscape pulled by ducks on the retelling of Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett, a fun book on the Best August Picture Books for kids booklist. — Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett

This fun picture book by Jan Brett is a creative retelling of the classic Cinderella story. Cinders is picked on by all the hens in the flock. But her picky sisters don’t recognize her all dressed-up and dancing with Prince Cockerel at the ball.

4. When Pencil Met the Markers by Karen Kilpatrick

An animated purple marker waves at a pencil on a background of colorful polka-dots on the children's book cover "When Pencil Met the Markers," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids Booklist. — When Pencil Met the Markers by Karen Kilpatrick

This cute story is a great way to inspire creativity in young readers. A purple marker loves to color outside of the lines, frustrating the rest of the markers. But one day, Pencil works with the purple marker to create fun shapes and objects from purple’s marks outside the line. They work together to make many masterpieces. It’s a subtle reminder that it’s okay to color outside the lines, for your art to look different, and a nod to the importance of teamwork over criticism. This book is perfect this time of year due to the start of a new school year and because everyone is out buying school supplies.

5. The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow

The inventor of crayons happy holds up various colors of crayons with excited teachers and children surrounding him on the bright and vibrant illustrated book cover "The Crayon Man," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow

This picture book biography tells the story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of the Crayola crayon. Edwin loved the colors of nature and wanted to design magical boxes of crayons that would be accessible to children. This is a great book for readers of all ages and everyone will love the vibrant illustrations. We LOVE this story! This is a perfect addition to the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist.

6. Thundercake by Patricia Polacco

A grandmother and her young grandchild point towards a rolling storm with concerns barn animals standing around them on the book cover of "Thunder Cake," a book on the picture books about cooking booklist. — Thundercake by Patricia Polacco

In this precious book a little girl hides under the bed as thunder rumbles and lighting cracks across the sky. Her grandmother gently coaxes her out with a hug, encouragement, and a mission. The little girl and her grandmother go on a mission to gather the ingredients for a thunder cake, which includes brave feats.
Recipe included.

7. Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse

A young African-American girl wearing a dress and rain boats with a yellow umbrella holds out her hand to catch a raindrop on the children's book "Come On, Rain!" — Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse

The great story is perfect for the “dog days” of summer. Everyone is longing for rain. A little girl and her friends spot rain clouds in the distance and put on their swimsuits to celebrate the rain and dance in the streets.

8. Four Seasons Make a Year by Anne Rockwell

A bright yellow book cover with pictures of a young girl in four different seasons. — Four Seasons make A Year by Anne Rockwell

This is a simple story of the signs and discoveries of each season. The collage illustrations are fun and support the wonders of each season.

9. Let’s Go to the Hardware Store by Anne Rockwell

A young girl and boy siblings stretch out a measuring tape in the hardware store with their dad on the beloved children's book "Let's go to the Hardware Store" by Anne Rockwell, a book on the Best August picture books for kids booklist. — Let’s Go to the Hardware Store by Anne Rockwell

This is a great book about a father and his children go on an adventure to the hardware store to gather all the tools so he can fix the new house. The children examine different tools and materials. It is such a simple story with simple text and colorful illustrations.

10. The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood

In the napping house, a grandmother, little boy, dog, cat, and a wakeful flea all pile into the bed on to book cover featured on books for six month old and up. — The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood

This board book is perfect for bedtime giggles as Granny, a little boy, the dog, the cat, the mouse, and a wakeful flea pile into the comfy bed in the Napping House but the flea bites…

11. The Story of Ping by Marjorie Flack

A little duck quacks as he runs across the plank to his boat on the book cover of "The Story About Ping," an old childrens book. — The Story of Ping by Marjorie Flack

Oh, Ping! This spirited little duck that lives on a boat on the Yangtze River finds himself in a predicament after a misadventure. He fears returning home because the last duck to cross the ramp into the boat gets spanked. CONTENT WARNING: The duck gets spanked.

12. Digging for Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel

An elder and a young boy sit on the floor of a secondhand library with a stack of books and their imaginations running wild on the book cover of "Digging for Words," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — Digging for Words by Angela Burke Kunkel

This picture book biography is based on the life of Jose Alberto Gutierrez, a garbage man in Botota, Colombia, who collected discarded books found along his route and built a secondhand library for the community. Book lovers will adore this one.

13. A Story of Patience and Fortitude: Where is Our Library? by Josh Funk

Two lions, named patience and fortitude look for their missing children's library in the middle of New York on the book cover "Where is our Library?" by Josh Funk, a book on the Best August Picture books for kids booklist. — Where is Our Library? by Josh Funk

This is the second book in the series of A Story of Patience and Fortitude. The two statue lions that guard the New York Public Library love to adventure into the children’s section of the library while everyone sleeps, but one night, the children’s books are gone.

14. A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker

The beloved friendly duo Bear and Mouse look for Bear a book in the library on the watercolor illustrated book cover of "A Library book for bear" by Bonny Becker, a book on the Best August picture books for kids booklist. — A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker

This is the fifth book in the Bear and Mouse Series. Grumpy Bear doesn’t want to go to the library, but Bear goes along with relentless Mouse. Bear learns about appropriate behavior at the library and discovers a new book. Don’t miss the first book in the series.

15. The Horseback Librarians by Jane Yolen

A female librarian on horseback delivers a stack of books to a young boy on his family farm on the children's book cover "The Horseback Librarians" by Jane Yolen, a book on the best August picture books for kids booklist. — The Horseback Librarians by Jane Yolen

This sweet story is about a librarian named Anna Mary who brings books to children and adults riding horseback in rural Kentucky during the Great Depression.

16. Stagecoach Sal by Deborah Hopkinson

Stagecoach sal holds her two horses by the reins on the book cover by Deborah Hopkinson, a book on the Best August picture books for kids booklist. — Stagecoach Sal by Deborah Hopkinson

This fun picture book is based on a true tale about a nineteenth-century California stagecoach driver named Sal. She’s a spunky young girl who joined her father on his mail runs and loved to sing. One day, Sal must drive alone in the infamous outlaw territory of Poetic Pete. Turns out that singing her heart out saves her from robbery.

17. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

A mama raccoon kisses the palm of her baby raccoon before he goes off to school while standing in the meadow in front of a full moon on the classic children's book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn, a book on the Best August picture books for kids booklist. — The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

This is a sweet picture book about a young raccoon named Chester, who is nervous about his first night of school. His mother kisses the palm of his hand and tells him the kiss will remind him of his mother’s love while at school. This is a great addition to the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist.

18. Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard

A small class of students looks concerned that their teacher is missing on the book cover of "Miss Nelson is Missing," an old childrens book. — Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard

The class misbehaves, and their sweet teacher disappears. An old lady, Viola Swamp, is their strict substitute teacher. The class misses Miss Nelson. It’s in her absence that the class learns to respect her. CONTENT WARNING: makes reference to a witch.

19. Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky

A baby raccoon rides in a little wooden boat down the swamp on the nature classic picture book "Raccoon on His Own" by Jim Arnosky, a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky

This book is out of print. However, I polled readers, and this book is easy to find at local libraries. I’ll replace all the out-of-print books next year. But for now, this is a precious book about a baby raccoon who accidentally adventures downstream in a canoe.

20. Babies in the Bayou by Jim Arnosky (OOP)

A mama duck and her babies carefully swim clear of a mama alligator and her baby alligators on the nature book cover "Babies in the Bayou," a book on the Best August Picture books for kids booklist. — Babies in the Bayou by Jim Arnosky

This book is out of print. However, I polled readers, and this book is easy to find at local libraries. I’ll replace all the out-of-print books next year. But for now, this story is about different kinds of babies found in the bayou, some with webbed feet, claws, and tiny sharp teeth.

This book will be replaced next year with a book in print.

21. Climb On by Baptiste Paul

A daughter leads the way up a path on a tropical mountainside as her father follows closely behind. — Climb On by Baptiste Paul

A little girl drags her dad on a hike. Her enthusiasm to explore is contagious, and they make it all the way to the “tippy top.”

22. The Night Gardener by The Fan Brothers

A young boy looks up at a large tree is shaped into a owl on a full moon night on the favorite Children's book cover "The Night Gardener," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Night Gardener by The Fan Brothers

This picture book is about a mysterious night gardener who shapes the trees into amazing creations and brings a gray town to life.

23. Night Lunch by Eric Fan

A bright-eyed owl and a tiny mouse with a broom in the city illustrated and whites and browns on the book cover "Night Lunch," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — Night Lunch by Eric Fan

This fun story is about an owl who runs a night lunch cart for all the night creatures, cooking their favorite treats in his food truck.

24. Beauty and the Beast retold by Cynthia Rylant

Beauty runs across the snowy forest with the shadow of the beast in the distance on the book cover of "Beauty and the Beast," a book on the Valentine books for preschool booklist. — Beauty and the Beast retold by Cynthia Rylant

This retelling of The Beauty and the Beast by Cynthia Rylant is simple and charming. Beauty’s bravery and sacrifice for her family are admirable. CONTENT WARNINGS: witch, magical references.

25. See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood

A turtle dressed like a tourist and read to go on adventure stands on the nose of a big-eyed green alligator. — See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood

I love all the rhyming goodbyes made by dear Tortoise. With all his bidding farewells, can Tortoise make it to the park gates before sunset?

26. The Umbrella by Jan Brett

Various rainforest creatures rather together in an umbrella on the favorite children's book "The Umbrella" by Jan Brett, a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Umbrella by Jan Brett

This lively book is about animals crowding in an upside-down umbrella with Jan Brett’s fun and unique illustrations.

27. The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco

An older man and a young girl collect bees in a jar on a bright sunny day near a blue blooming bush on the book cover "The Bee Tree" by Patricia Polacco, a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco

This picture book by Patricia Polacco is about a little girl bored of reading and in need of an adventure and life lesson. Grandpa and Mary Ellen go on a hunt for a bee tree. The adventure is exciting, and Mary Ellen makes a sweet discovery!

28. The Boy Who Grew a Forest by Sophia Gholz

A young African American boy walks through the forest, holding plants on his back and in his hands while a tiger, monkey, elephant, and rhino watch him closely on the book cover of "The Boy Who Grew A Forest," a book on the booklist of children's books about perseverance. — The Boy Who Grew a Forest by Sophia Gholz

This story is based on the true story of Jadav Payeng, a young boy who plants and cultivates bamboo plants after devastating erosion and destruction from deforestation to his island home. He works hard, and as the years pass, he grows a forest that covers 1300 acres.

29. The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens

A brown bear wearing a bee tie looks at a gray rabbit wearing a carrot shirt while standing around a large watermelon covered with a black and white buffalo-checkered blanket. — The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens

Fox is quite the scammer, and Bear becomes his next victim. Bear, the lazy farmer, cares tenderly for his donkey egg expecting to hatch a baby donkey.

30. It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers

Bugs wearing hats push a giant yellow, green, and blue striped marble in the grassy meadow on the book cover "It Fell From the Sky," a book on the best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers

This is a wonderful book about a community of insects. Spider claims the object that has fallen from the sky and sets up a display for all to pay and see his marvel. But eventually, Spider finds himself alone without the support of his community. He learns an important lesson.

Featured Board Book

31. The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

A colorful spider sits on a giant spider web on the classic Children's book by Eric Carle "The Very Busy Spider," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

This beloved book is about a busy spider who spins her web on a fence post. The animals come by and attempt to distract her from her work, but she keeps spinning. The book is filled with classic illustrations by Eric Carle and fun, rhythmic text.

Interested in More Booklists for Kids: Check These Out!

Best Ocean Picture Books for Kids

Children's picture book covers arranged on an ocean blue background with a black outline of a ship. Ocean books for kids include The little island, hot dog, a single pearl, aquatic life, swashby and the sea, ocean meets sky, a house for hermit crab, deep and blue, and over and under the waves.

Get the complete booklist of favorite children’s books about the ocean HERE.

Best July Picture Books for Kids

Get the full list of great read-aloud books for July HERE.

Best Outdoor Adventure Picture Books for Kids

A little girl stands looking at a creek ready for an outdoor adventure.

Get the complete best books about adventures in the great outdoors HERE.

Featured Crafts: Back to School

Thanks for Stopping By!

Lastly, thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share one of your favorite books on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. This booklist was so fun to make. If you enjoyed this booklist, subscribe to my mailing list to receive each monthly picture booklist right in your inbox. Each booklist includes 31 wholesome picture books for kids and a free printable. My goal is to help you build a list of great read alouds for all the little readers in your life.

Please note this booklist does not encompass a comprehensive list of all the themes and August holidays and is curated for ages 3-6 years old. I will continue to add more themed booklist. Please note I have two books to replace on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist.

HAPPY READING!