In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference, presenter and author-illustrator Eliza Kinkz shares six books that capture the fun, humor, and adventure of summer reading.
The Watermelon Seed
Written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
A picture book that captures the kid anxiety of swallowing a seed and takes the comedy of it to tasty new heights!
Fireworks
By Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien
KA-BOOM! No July is complete without at least one fireworks show, and this picture book captures the pure magic of it every time.
Serafina Makes Waves
By Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
No summer is complete without swim lessons, and this encouraging picture book is perfect for the kid who needs a push to jump in!
It Began with Lemonade
By Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Lian Cho
Lemonade stands are a way for so many kids to make their first dollar, and this picture book embraces the magic of it to the fullest cup!
Lone Wolf on Vacation
By Kiah Thomas, illustrated by K-Fai Steele
All the Lone Wolf books leave me howling, and this one captures the miserable parts of going away from home perfectly.
Really Rubie
Written and illustrated by Maddie Frost
A hilarious camp story for any middle-grade reader heading away from home for the first time, and worried they might drop their spare undies on the trail to the cabin.
This article was inspired by the 40th anniversary of the Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference, which brings educators, librarians, authors, illustrators, and children’s literature advocates together around a shared commitment to helping young readers discover the power of literature. Eliza Kinkz is a featured author at the 2026 conference, which runs June 24–26 in Winchester, Virginia.
Best of Charlottesville Books!
Please be sure to also explore our tips on helping kids enjoy reading, local storytimes, bookstores, and Virginia children’s book authors, including Charlotte’s very own Hannah Barnaby and Amber McBride. Mark your calendar for other amazing Virginia events for book-lovers, the Crozet Book Fest in the Fall and the Virginia Festival of the Book each Spring. Our publisher, Jen Bryerton, volunteers with both events, and they have amazing activities designed especially for children and families.
ELIZA KINKZ is a Tejana artist and the author-illustrator of ¡Mistaco!. She has also illustrated numerous acclaimed picture books, including Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo, which won a Pura Belpré Illustration Honor. Learn more about Eliza at: https://www.elizakinkz.com/