It feels like the kids just ended their school year, and here I am considering their summer reading habits already. Of course, art, swimming, exploring, and growing are all part of our summer plans in good measure. But reading books on end and having them as part of an autumn return to school, is as old as time itself.
Now that seven-year-old Oak can read quite well, and River (nearly inching to 11) is known for the way she gets lost in books, I’m looking forward to late afternoons beside them in that kind of silence. And end of summer conversations backtracking on words they devoured and places their imagination went is the icing on top.
Summers are a season of nostalgia for me. Last week, I had a long birthday conversation with my mom, who affirmed much of my current habits as my early childhood summer habits. They were things I did to pass the time; people watching was a big one. Nail art, jumping rope and writing were a few others. But living in a house with two engaged readers, has me wanting to make sure it is a core aspect of our summer days (along with everything else).
River read A Wrinkle In Time during her school year, so we can’t pick it up together again. And after beloved author, Beverly Cleary passed away, I made a silent commitment to relive the childhood tales of Romana alongside my kids.
We definitely need more options and have our library card ready! So what are your kids reading lately? And what are you reading with them?
This summer I have been reading chapter books to my kids, also 11 and 7, before bed. We have all enjoyed Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, and The Wizard of Oz.
i love this, i didn’t think of Peter Pan, but i’m sure they’ll love it! And I feel like co-reading chapter books is such an easy way to get in your own reading time and theirs in one sitting.
River might enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia series, by C.S. Lewis. I read them with my son, starting with The Witch, the Lion and the Wardrobe
Hi Beth!
I think she would! I will see if I can get it for her asap.
Thank you!!
My biggest one (13yrs) has been lost in the Percy Jackson series and the young one (7yrs) just finished reading the first The Diary of the Wimpy kid all by her self, so very proud.
Lumberjanes series!
Hi! My seven year old and I are reading Adventure according to Humphrey Series. I have also been reading her picture books too, here are some that were reading. Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder, Lubaya’s Quiet Roar by Marilyn Nelson, Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt De La Pena, I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien, Saving Eli’s Library by Ruth Horowitz, Kiyoshi’s Walk by Mark Karlins. I really could go on and on!! Lol! Happy Reading!!
Lolade! This list is so so so good! Thank you for writing them down. So inspiring for Oak, who I could use a library refresh!
xo
You’re welcome!!
xo
Oh gosh I love this so much. My mother was a librarian before she retired and made sure to imbue her love of reading in each of her kids. At your kids’ ages we secured the Redwall series. Hope you have a safe, healthy and wonderful summer.
The Birchbark Series is fantastic. My kiddo is almost five and we love reading Mary Pope Osborne books with him too.
My daughter is 3. Our local library has a program to read 1000 books before kindergarten. That is a lot of books! We try to check our 4 or 5 new books each week. I have a book called “Classic Poems to Read Aloud,” and I try to fit in one or two at bedtime.
My 4 year old is crazy about Benji Davies, we already have 5 books by him. Tad especially has become the winner of them all. Since i bought it he has been reading it the whole month every night and doesn’t even mind that he knows the story by heart. Daunting for a parent but also beautiful to watch the excitement in his eyes every time he reads it.🤩
I loved reading Island of the Aunts and The Secret of Platform 13 with my kids. Good for a wide range of ages. Half magic also very good.
I’ve been reading chapter books to my 4 year old, and we’ve really enjoyed The Very Very Far North, Widewater (was a bit above her level), Ramona, Mouse and the Motorcycle, and Mr Poppers Penguins. Currently starting on Boxcar Children.