Making Summer Reading Fun!
Our plans to avoid the 'summer slide' are to do a little math each week and to do a little reading and writing each week. To be honest, it's only the math that Mr. Bookworm and I have to enforce. The reading and writing are automatic.
For summertime reads, I usually encourage whatever the child is most interested in, whether it be picture books versus chapter books. And, it's always best to indulge in whatever topic your little one is most interested in, especially for summer reads. Even if it's the tenth biography of Alexander Hamilton or Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, Marquis de La Fayette. (Yes, I had to look that up, but my girls know his full name by heart.)
Here are some ideas for making summer reading fun:
- Read some books out loud together. Your kids are never too old for picture books and chapter books are always more fun when read together.
- Check out your local library! They have fun summer incentives and giveaways to make checking off reading time more fun.
- Check out your local independent book store-they often have fun story times and guest authors coming to visit. Similarly, Barnes and Noble usually sponsors a book giveaway if you read 8 books over the summer.
- Story time at the library counts! Our local library even has craft story time for the older kids. Or if you have pre-teens/teens, there may be a dedicated space for them in the library.
- Finally, look into some book adaptations. There are some great film or mini-film or play adaptations of children's books that may spark your child to turn into a bookworm.
Some good resources for finding new books:
- Read Brightly—a great resource for checking out books appropriate for your little one's developmental age
- Caldecott Medal winners and Honor books—the highest honor for a picture book illustrator. When Little Lion was in kindergarten, they were encouraged to read
- Newbery Medal and Honor Books—given to " the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year". I know you're sick of hearing me say this, but Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe won for 2017. We're currently discussing this book in our read-along.
- Try a new novel out for size by sneak peeking at our First Pages discussion series. You can also peruse the picture books on our Gift Lists.
Or, come join us on our next epic read-along. The book has been chosen, but I'm still planning out the details. If you read a book this summer that you think I should feature on Dr. Bookworm, feel free to send me an email.
