What can you do to encourage your child to read during the summer? Where can you find the latest recommended summer reading lists? How do you choose the right children's books for your child? What type of book will be best for your child? There are a lot of resources available to help you interest your child in reading throughout the summer.
Go to the Library for Summer Reading Fun
Your public library can be a great help as you encourage your children to read during the summer. Why is it important? If you want your children maintain or improve their reading levels during the summer, you need to keep them reading. You'll find special summer reading programs for both elementary and teen readers at most public libraries. Many libraries schedule puppet shows, special performances and other activities during the summer to add to the fun.
Get Books at the Right Reading Level
You need to keep two things in mind when helping your children choose books: their reading levels and their interests. Check with your children's teachers at the end of the school year to find out their reading levels. Then, ask your children what they'd like to read. The children's librarian at the public library should have reading lists to help you find books at the appropriate reading level.
If you are buying children's books, many show the reading level on the upper right hand corner of the front cover (books for beginning readers) or on the bottom of the back cover (books for intermediate and young adult readers). Remember that different publishers use different criteria to set reading levels so you may need to try several publishers and books to determine the best fit for your children.
To get an idea of what some of the recommended books are for each grade level, you can also make use of online resources, such as the About Children's Books Age/Grade Booklists directory of links. Another good resource is Children's Choices, which develops annual booklists of children's favorite books. They are divided into three sections: Beginning and Young Readers (Ages 5-7), Intermediate Readers (Ages 8-10), and Advanced Readers (Ages 11-13).
Librarians at member schools of the Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network (HAISLN)have prepared an excellent, briefly annotated, list of recommended fiction and nonfiction for childen. It is organized by grade level, from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The annual ALA Notable Books List, which includes many award winning books is also an excellent resource. See my Top 10 Summer Reading Lists for Kids and Teens for more good reading lists.
Get Books that Your Children Will Like
If you children like chapter books, check out the About Children's Books Chapter Books
directory. One of the best ways to keep your children reading on a regular basis is to find a
series of books that they like. If your children like a particular genre or type of story, there are also plenty of specialized reading
lists and books for children and young adults.
Some children are particularly interested in nature and science, and there are excellent nonfiction books for young readers, such as the Scientists in the Field series. Another popular nonfiction (and fiction) topic is dinosaurs.
Read Aloud to Your Children
A good way to encourage your children to read (or to prepare young children for reading) is to
read aloud to them on a daily basis. While enjoying the books, the children will also be improving their listening and vocabulary skills. You can take turns reading or you can do all of the reading. If you enjoy taking turns, try
I'll Read to You, You Read to Me by poet Mary Ann Hoberman. For hints on reading to small children, I recommend
Reading Magic, which was written by children's book author and literacy consultant Mem Fox. For information on good books to read aloud and research on the value of reading aloud to your children, I'd suggest
The Read-Aloud Handbook, by Jim Trelease.
Try the Classics for Summer Reading
Summer is also a great time to introduce your children to some of the classics of children's literature.
The Horn Book Magazine maintains reading lists of excellent children's books on its
Web site. My favorite, the 14-page Children's Classics, A Booklist for Parents, is available as
a PDF for you to easily print or download.
Check out the Tips From Reading Is Fundamental
Another good resource is Reading is Fundamental (RIF) has a helpful summer reading brochure you can download. On the RIF Reading Planet Web site for 6-15 year olds, your kids will find all kinds of children's book-related activities.
I wish you and your kids a whole summer full of reading and fun.
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