46 Finds to Spark Your Summer Creativity
We believe reading is a year-round adventure, but wouldn’t you agree that every season brings its own kind of magic? Winter might be great for cozy mysteries by the fire, but summer? Summer is for sunshine, open windows, and that electric feeling of possibility in the air.
This year, we're leaning into that energy with a theme that celebrates curiosity, exploration, and imagination: create. We’ve put together a vibrant mix of materials, books, movies, and more, to inspire hands-on projects, spark new ideas, or simply fuel your daydreams.
Whether you’re diving into a how-to guide with your sleeves rolled up or getting swept away by a wondrous tale, we hope you’ll find something in this list that encourages you to explore, experiment, and create something wonderful this summer.
In this article:
- Creative Books for Kids
- Creative Books for Teens
- Creative Books for Adults
- Creative Experiences for the Whole Family
Creative Books for Kids
All of the items below are available in our Catalog in print or digital.
Picture Books
- Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
- The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
- The Bear’s Garden by Marcie Colleen
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
- Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
- A Day With No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch
- Discovering Great Artists by Mary Ann Kohl
Chapter Books
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
- Yazmin the Ice Skater by Saadia Faruqi
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
- Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler
- Henry and the Chalk Dragon by Jennifer Trafton (audiobook)
- Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Creative Books for Teens
- Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- Slip by Marika McCoola
- Wings in the Wild by Margarita Engle
- Look No Further by Rioghnach Robinson
- Mega Mini Cross Stitch by Makoto Oozu
Creative Books for Adults
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Awakening Your Creative Soul by Sandra Duran Wilson
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
- You Are an Artist by Sarah Urist Green
- Punch Needle Extravaganza by Laetitia Dalbies
- Expressive Flower Painting by Lynn Whipple
- How to Create Your Garden by Adam Frost
- Small Garden Style by Isa Hendry Eaton
En Español
- Libera tu Magia de Elizabeth Gilbert (audiolibro)
- Decorar Con Plantas de Francesc Zamora Mola
- Postres Veganos Fáciles de Paula Martínez Buil
- El Gran Libel del Pinto de Vikki Haffenden
- Cestería Creativa de Sylvie Bégot
- Flores de Papel de Kelsey Elam
Creative Experiences for the Whole Family
TryIts
Videos
- Crayola: Create to Learn on Hoopla
- Bubbling Stream – Bob Ross Painting on Hoopla
- The Secret of Kells on Kanopy
- Fame High on Kanopy
- The Bookshop on Kanopy
- The Magic Flute on Kanopy
- Linnea in Monet's Garden on Kanopy
Music
Playlist to Create – mySummer Playlist by Anythink
Still looking for the perfect summer read? We’re here to help! Email ithink@anythinklibraries.org with your age range, favorite genres, themes, or examples, and we’ll help you find a great pick for your summer.