book scratch fever

Summer vacation is here and the kids are out of school. Keep them reading all summer, or, as the stats tell us, their reading skills will dry up faster than a shallow mud puddle on a hot day. Most public libraries host summer reading programs with games, parties, activities and lots and lots of books for all ages. These programs are free and almost always loads of fun for kids and parents alike! At the library or book store, load up on fun, summer reads. Don’t bog the kids down with heavy stuff–they’ve just finished nine months of long division and spelling tests. Let them choose the books they want to read (or have read-aloud to them). Need some ideas? Check out some of my favorite, fun, hot summer picture book reads for the younger set.

• A COUPLE OF BOYS HAVE THE BEST WEEK EVER by Marla Frazee (Harcourt, 2008) Two boys celebrate summer and being kids in an unexpected vacation-gone-hilarious.
• MAYBE A BEAR ATE IT!  by Robie Harris (Orchard Books, 2008)  Well, SOMETHING happened to the book! What do you do when your favorite book goes missing? SEARCH, of course! Search high and low and have knee-slapping fun along the way. Laughs galore for this fun read-aloud.
• ARE YOU READY TO PLAY OUTSIDE? by Moe Willems (Hyperion, 2008) When Gerald the Elephant and Piggie go outside to play, their hopes are quickly dashed with the first plunk of rain. Can the Worms teach them to have some wet-weather fun? Kids can’t resist the Elephant and Piggie series. Read them all.

Visit your local library or neighborhood book store. Both will likely have lists of summer reading ideas to keep you and your kids happy and happily reading this summer.