Am I the only one that dreams of the glorious adventures to be had during Summer reading time? I consider myself a reader although not very avid anymore. I guess you could say that 4 children can take up a lot of the “spare reading” time. But this Summer I want to read each day just like I expect my children to do.
I am a big time planner and get all giddy doing so, but sometimes fail to execute. This Summer I vow to follow through and shake things up a bit. For example my children have never participated in Storytime at the library. (Long detailed/complicated nasty story I will spare the details!) During the Summer I noticed more relaxed “rules” for Storytime which may just allow us to participate with all 4 children! Of course the older ones may be bored but the little guys will love it! (updated… my younger boys did enjoy a session of storytime at our local library when the librarians offered an older kids group!)
I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help us reach some Summer reading goals. I will share some ideas I plan to implement to make Summer Reading fun and worthwhile!
1. Participate in Summer Reading Club– we are fortunate enough to be within walking distance of our town’s library and within 20 minutes drive of 3 more libraries! We can sign-up for each of their respective reading programs and take part in special activities and incentives.
Why participate in so many library program? Well, the simple answer is I like the freebies! I also like that each one is run differently. Our town library gives extra incentive for the number of days you visit the library, amount of time read, and offers special activities, movies, etc. The library north of us only requires 4 days of reading per week and offers a really fun kick-off event featuring a free lunch and Jump House. The library south of us offers a free cookout and only requires registration and one single check-in. This library often gives a book per kid at both registration and check-in. That’s a possibility of 8 free books this year!
2. Online Reading Clubs– I have found a variety of places that give children extra incentive to read. Sylvan Learning has a program called Book Adventure which is an ongoing program that can be tailored by parent or teacher to include your own incentives. Another program is called Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge which runs for 18 weeks beginning in May!
Check out this years’ theme for Summer Book-It through Pizza Hut! There are lots of free printables including reading tracking sheets and reading plans for K-2 and 3-6 grades. Read everyday for 2 weeks and you earn 10 tokens from Chuck E. Cheese!
3. Book stores offer Reading Clubs– Over the last few years a few stores have gone out of business in our area but Barnes & Noble Summer Reading is still going strong. All you got to do is read 8 books and fill out a printable form and turn in for a free book! Half Price Books offer the FEED YOUR BRAIN program for kids 14 and under for June and July. Just read 15 minutes a day to qualify.
Be sure to check your local Mom & Pop bookstores as they might offer Summer Reading Challenges as well!
4. Use reading lists– so many wonderful reading list by age, topic, or genre exist. Be careful perusing too many or your head might start to spin. I would suggest finding one that includes genres and author’s that you approve for your children to read. If you do not like a certain type of book then be sure to NOT include lists with those titles.
American Library Association QuickList’s Reading Lists
EDSITEment’s Recommended Reading List for College-Bound Students
Charlotte Mason/Ambleside Online Book List
5. Check out audiobooks– I am a big advocate on making things easier on mom’s with busy kids. Plus audiobooks are great for riding in the car to a program, vacation or while driving around town during your staycation! Why make your child sit still to read when you could crank up the ipod with a great book If you have a tiny budget like us then be sure to check out how to use Librivox for FREE audiobooks.
6. Read in unusual places– car, top bunk, under a tree, in a hammock, around a campfire, in a tent, under the stars, on a porch swing, on a tire swing, in a boat, at the park. Wherever a book or e-reader or ipod can safely go! Try to spice things up with an unusual reading location this Summer! If you need help I have shared some Tips for preparing a Summer Reading Space.
7. I’ve got an APP for that! I put off getting a Smartphone for quite sometime but now that I have one I love it! One of the first apps I added was Kindle reading app. Since my free Kindle collection is over 1700 books I want access to them anywhere. Oh, yes I still plan to use my Nextbook 7 tablet as well but my phone should be with me all the time allowing for quick reads while waiting to pick children up from Summer programs,etc.
8. Mom’s gotta read, too!– Be sure to load up your Kindle with Inspirational Reading or create a list of your must reads via your local library website. Most of our libraries allow you to create lists and request titles online. This will save a busy mom of many the time searching for a book for HERSELF! I know since often we would leave the library with a crate of books and NONE for MOM,lol.
I recently discovered a podcast by Anne Bogel called What Should I Read Next? It is highly addictive and I use Google Podcast app on my phone to listen to it. Then I use the Overdrive app to add to my Wishlists which are getting lots of new titles added each time I listen to a new episode. I have even began to place Holds on various titles that will be available over the next 2-8 weeks!
Need MORE reading resources? Check out my Literature Pinterest Board!
What are your plans for this Summer and reading?
We are rarely without books – at home, running errands, or waiting during an extracurricular activity. I even pack books for our road trips and vacations. Our favorite audio books are those produced by Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre. The Chronicles of Narnia is EXCELLENT!
Awesome list! Thank you!
Great list!!! I will definitely be checking some of these out to add to my normal routine! We are big reader’s in our house. You can also listen to audio books while cleaning as we frequently do! 🙂
I will be looking over these reading lists.
Thank you so much for sharing! Just signed up & printed every one I could for my kids! =)
I like the idea of reading in an unusual place. We take books outside, just for something different.
April,
We try to listen to books but it’s hard to keep everyone in the same room,lol. Maybe we will try playing one on the PS3 cranked in the Livingroom so we can all hear AND clean. Good idea.
Jess,
Thanks for making it over. Gotta get them all organized since they have various dates and requirements.
Stephanie,
We have gotten lazy about toting books around probably since we just recently got done with potty training and have a baby:) I have put thinner chapter books in the pouches of our van seats though. I also have books from cereal boxes out in a special bag in the back of the van in case we get stranded.