Imagine A Story: A Summer Reading Picture Book List

An imagination is a great thing!  These books all tells about characters with good imaginations.  Here are a few of my favorites . . .

For Just One Day by Laura Leuck

After guessing the identity of each animal before turning the page, the reader pretends to be a porcupine, bear, crocodile, and bumblebee.

My Garden by Kevin Henkes

After helping her mother weed, water, and chase the rabbits from their garden, a young girl imagines her dream garden complete with jellybean bushes, chocolate rabbits, and tomatoes the size of beach balls.

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

To an imaginative little bunny, a box is not always just a box.

Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

A ladybug invites the reader to play a game of "let's pretend."

Snowman All Year by Caralyn Buehner

A child imagines what it would be like if a snowman, made of magical snow, could be a companion throughout the year.

More Stories --

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli

Chicken in Space by Adam Lehrhaupt

Claymates by Dav Petty

Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds

If I Were a Jungle Animal by Amanda Ellery

If Waffles Were Boys by Charise Mericle Harper

The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larsen

A Long Way by Katherine Ayres

Maybe a Bear Ate It by Robie H. Harris

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

On My Way to the Bath by Sarah Maizes

Still a Gorilla by Kim Norman

That's How! by Christoph Niemann

Vroom! by Barbara McClintock

A Wild Cowboy by Danna Smith

You Are a Lion! and Other Fun Yoga Poses by Taeeun Yoo

Check out the Imagine a Story picture book display at the Arnold Branch through August 10, 2020.

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith

Emma has always felt like something is missing -- that she doesn't fit into her family.  Then she finds out she had a twin brother who died right after birth.

Peter has always wanted to travel the world -- see new places.  He's never gotten the chance as his father is determined to keep them both in their small town forever.

Now they're on a road trip together.  Emma wants to find the brother she never knew and convinces Peter to go with her to find his grave.

I really enjoyed this book.  I liked the relationships between the various characters and how they change throughout the story.  I would recommend this to fans of Sarah Dessen or Morgan Matson.

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas by Yoru Sumino

An introverted high school boy discovers the secret of his popular classmate Sakura --  she is dying of pancreatic cancer.  He is the only one outside of her family who knows the truth.  The last thing he wants is to become her friend but Sakura's cheerful attitude draws him in . . .



This is a great manga series.  The relationship between the two friends is interesting.  The boy's character growth is believable.  I would recommend this to fans of realistic manga stories.

Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson

Haley is surprised to get a text from an unknown number one night after school.  It's from Martin Nathaniel Munro II in her history class.  The problem is that there are two Martin Nathaniel Munro II's in her history class -- cousins.  He says it's the good Martin.  This starts an ongoing text conversation where they become friends and then maybe something more.  The problem is that it isn't the Martin that Haley thinks it is . . .

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to read.  Even though the book is told completely through texts, you get a complete story.  I would definitely recommend this to teens who enjoy romances.

Nameless Asterism series by Kina Kobayashi

Tsukasa, Washio, and Kotooka are best friends in middle school.  They do everything together.

But they all have secrets.

Tsukasa has a crush on Washio.
Washio is in love with Kotooka.
And neither of them know that Kotooka knows both of their secrets.

Will their friendship overcome all these secrets and feelings?



This is a great manga series by Kina Kobayashi.  The characters are all interesting -- including the side characters of Tsukasa's twin Subaru and her possible love interest Asakura.  With only five volumes the series is short and sweet.  I would recommend this series to those who enjoy friendship stories or romances.

The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai

Akizuki plays hooky every first period of a rainy school day.  He goes to the park and draws possible designs for shoes.  That is how he meets the mysterious woman who also plays hooky from work on rainy days to drink beer and chocolate in the park. 

A connection is made between the two when she quotes a poem to him as she leaves the first day. 

A clap of thunder . . . ?
. . . clouded
bringing rain
Will you stay beside me?

Will Akuzuki figure out the meaning before it's too late?



This is the manga retelling of an anime.  It's a fascinating look at ambition and relationships.  This would be a great read for those looking for a quick, slice of life manga to read.

What Remains by Helene Dunbar

It was always the three of them -- Cal, Spencer, and Lizzie -- ever since first grade.  They were best friends so tight they were almost one person.  Cal and Spencer devoted themselves to keeping Lizzie safe -- from her mother, depression, and life.

Then in an instant everything changes in one car accident.

Lizzie is dead.
Cal required a heart transplant that takes away his life plan of playing baseball.

Now Cal is trying to deal with his grief and guilt from the accident.

He also must deal with Lizzie's heart (now inside him).  It's talking to him and influencing him in ways he can't control.

Cal always thought he and his friends could overcome anything.  Now he's now sure if just him and Spencer will be okay without Lizzie.



While this is obviously not a "happy" story, it is engrossing to read.  Cal immediately grabs your attention so that you want to know if and how he heals.  I found this book ultimately to be very optimistic.  I would definitely recommend this book to all teens.