Summertime Reading Fun
Summer is a great time to encourage kids to spend time reading. Not only is it entertaining but studies have shown that over the summer months, students typically lose many of the reading skills that they have worked so hard to gain throughout the school year. Parents can prevent this by making sure that there are plenty of opportunities to read. Even reading for just 15-20 minutes a day can make a big difference. It’s so important that the state of Georgia has issued a summer reading challenge designed to keep kids engaged in reading. You can read about it here.
There are a lot of great books out there too that are not only exciting adventures but wonderful messages as well.
Young adult author, Martha Orlando has a trilogy that is packed with action, humor and inspiration. For a young adult book that is a real page turner pick up A Trip, A Tryst and a Terror, Children of the Garden and The Moment of Truth.
My friend Erin Casey, has penned two terrific young adult books in her Zany Zia Hats To Where series. In the first book, An All Knight Adventure, Evan Tanner is transported to a castle in the middle ages where he conquers his fears in order to battle dragons and bullies. In Lost in Comanche Country, Marianna bravely navigates between Indian warriors, hungry mountain lions and cowboys out for revenge, while learning that despite all our differences we still have much in common if we will but take the time to get to know each other.
Jordan Crowl, author of Ed’s Journal is a talented author and illustrator who has written a series of character education books which allow the reader to determine possible choices and consequences. These books make for great discussions between children and parents, as well as a wonderful lesson too. Check out all the titles in this interactive series.
For the younger set, my favorite author is Helen Lester. Her books are humorous, clever and teach an important lesson as well. A couple of my favorites are Hooway for Wodney Wat and Listen Buddy.
Finally, I just have to mention my own series of books about Wyatt the Wonder Dog. In the first book, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns About Good Manners, Wyatt learns what to do about a bossy friend who doesn’t use his manners. In the second book, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns About Being Organized, Wyatt learns how to plan ahead and organize his day, a skill that I’ve had many adults tell me they need to develop as well! In the third book, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Goes to Kindergarten, Wyatt learns that adjusting to change can often be very rewarding. the fourth book has Wyatt wondering what he will get for Christmas in, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving. And new out this summer, Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Winning. In the latest book, Wyatt learns what it takes to be a winner after the disappointment of not being chosen for the traveling baseball team. Happy Summertime Reading!
