Summer vacation is almost here and that means lots of sunshine, campfires, baseball games, road trips, roller coasters, fireworks, barbecues, cannonballs into the pool, and Summer Reading 2018! Encouraging your child to stay on top of their reading maintains literacy, strengthens critical thinking skills, keeps them from falling behind, supports their reading development, builds vocabulary, and nurtures a lifelong love of books. All great stuff, right?
VISIT THE LIBRARY
Getting kids involved in their local library is important for many reasons. In addition to the various Summer Reading Programs, access to free books, magazines, audio books, music, and internet, there are opportunities to volunteer, find a reading buddy or tutor, and be in an environment where other kids are reading for fun. Most libraries have some sort of Summer Reading Program so stop on in and let the fun begin!
“A library card is the start of a lifelong adventure.” Lilian Jackson Braun
“I have found that the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.” Laura Bush
“The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” Albert Einstein
“Getting my library card was like citizenship: it was like American citizenship.” Oprah Winfrey
SUMMER READING GOALS
Whether kids are getting their books from libraries, bookstores, or online apps, setting aside 20 minutes or more for reading should be an essential part of their daily routine. Create a snazzy chart, graph, or poster to record daily, weekly, or monthly reading goals, use incentives, and reward progress. A promised shopping spree at Barnes&Noble or Half Price Books goes a long way!
INCENTIVES
Reward them with the key to a locked treasure chest filled with surprise goodies. The wonder and anticipation of what’s inside is a huge motivator. Fill it with stickers, baseball cards, bookmarks, ear buds, sidewalk chalk, crayons, markers, UNO, Crazy Eights, Old Maid, or Go Fish cards, Jacks, a journal, shiny marbles, colored stones, beads…the possibilities are endless!
- A magazine subscription for Highlights, National Geographic Kids, Story Monsters Ink, or any subject of particular interest (dance, science, sports, fashion, cars).
- Tickets to an upcoming sporting event, concert, or movie they’ve been wanting to see.
- A gift certificate to Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Half Price Books, or Record Exchange.
- Something specific they’ve had their eye on (video game, skateboard, jewelry box).
SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
* Your public library
* Carnegie Library Summer Reading Extravaganza
* Barnes&Noble Summer Reading
* Half Price Books Summer Reading Program
* Scholastic Summer Challenge
* Sylvan Learning’s Book Adventure
FREE BOOKS/STORIES
Let’s face it, reading lots of books can get pretty pricey. Luckily, there are a ton of places to score some free ones. School, online apps, and the public library are always great places to start.
International Digital Children’s Library
Oxford Owl
The Library of Congress
Freechildrenstories.com
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Free Kindle Unlimited Amazon
REMEMBER:
- Get them a library card.
- Take them book shopping.
- Take turns reading aloud, alternating pages.
- Encourage them to donate/share used books.
- Laugh! Reading should be fun.
- Discuss the story and characters; encourage questions.
- Prompt them to bring stories/books along for trips, car rides, waiting areas, and picnics.
- Create decorative bookmarks together for every season.
- Be an example! They need to see you reading too.
- Do a Summer Reading Challenge with them.
HAPPY READING, HAPPY SUMMER!
FREE for Kindle Unlimited!
Operation Scrub-A-Dub Skunk
The Clubhouse Cabobble
Frogs Can Fly
KRISTY JO VOLCHKO is a multi-genre author and blogger. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she continues to share her love of storytelling.
Kristy Jo Volchko 
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