What does summertime mean to you? Fun in the sun? Baseball? Barbecues? Swimming?

For me, nothing says summer like relaxing with an ice-cold glass of lemonade and a good book… about lemonade!!!

Not only is lemonade a great way to cool off on a hot summer day, it can be a fun life lesson for kids and adults alike. Whether you buy a powder mix at the grocery store or squeeze the lemons yourself, you’ll have a wonderful treat.

Here’s a recipe to try from the book Florentine and Pig by Ava Katzler:

Florentine’s Homemade Pink Lemonade with Fresh Berry Ice Cubes

Serves 6

For the ice cubes:

  • A big handful of fresh berries – Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries

For the lemonade:

  • A big bottle of seltzer water
  • 5 lemons
  • 2 tbsp pomegranate juice
  • 6 tbsp honey

Directions:

  1. Pop one or two berries into each compartment of an ice cube tray. Fill with water and freeze overnight.
  2. Pour the seltzer water into a big pitcher and squeeze in the juice of 4 lemons.
  3. Ask an adult to cut the last lemon int chunks (with the peel still on!) and add to the seltzer.
  4. Pour the pomegranate juice into the seltzer.
  5. Stir in the honey and add your beautiful berry ice cubes just before you serve it to your thirsty friends.

Check out the following lemonade books at the library!

Books with Lemonade Recipes:

Who knew there were so many ways to make lemonade?

Chemistry You Can Chomp by Jessie Alkire

Slurpable Smoothies and Drinks by Kari Cornell

Snackable Science Experiments: 60 Edible Tests to Try and Taste by Emma Vanstone

The Lemonade Stand Cookbook by Kathy Strahs

Picture Books about Lemonade:

Maisy makes Lemonade by Lucy Cousins

The End by David LaRochelle

The Berenstain Bears’ Lemonade Stand by Mike Berenstain

Florentine and Pig by Eva Katzler

Chapter Books about Lemonade:

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

Karen’s Lemonade Stand by Ann M. Martin

Dracula Doesn’t Drink Lemonade by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

Last Lemonade Standing by Carolyn Keene

Books about Lemonade Stands:

What a great way to teach children about fun, money, work, and charity.

The Lemonade Ripple by Paul Reichert

Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Charities Stated by Kids by Melissa Sherman Pearl

Be the Change: The Future is in Your Hands by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle

The Lemonade Stand: A Guide to Encouraging the Entrepreneur in Your Child by Emmanuel Modu

eBooks:

Curious George Lemonade Stand by Erica Zappy

It Began With Lemonade by Gideon Sterer and Lian Cho

Splat the Cat and the Lemonade Stand By Rob Scotton

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B. Deenihan and Lorraine Rocha

-Kris, Youth Services Specialist