Articles and Advice
Great Stories for Summer
Whether your child remains in school this summer or not, you want him to continue reading and learning so he will perform better academically in the fall.
But we know that compared with playing video games or collecting things, reading is low on your child's priority list. That's why we created a fun list of great books that will keep her interested all summer.
Age 2 & Under
"The Itsy Bitsy Spider" by Iza Trapani - Read about the fun places the spider goes beyond the water spout in the classic nursery rhyme.
"Little Cloud" by Eric Carle - The tale of a cloud and his travels that shape his, well, shape.
"Good Night, Gorilla" by Peggy Rathman - Your child will enjoy the after-hours adventures of a sneaky ape in the zoo.
"I Love Our Earth" by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson - Inspire your child's appreciation for nature with this story about the environment.
"Swimmy" by Leo Lionni - A fun picture book about a fish that escapes a hungry bigger fish and makes many new friends along the way.
Other great titles for infants and toddlers:
- "Splash! (Baby Faces)" by Roberta Grobel Intrater
- Clap Hands" by Helen Oxenbury
- "Animal Babies Around the House and Animal Babies in Towns and Cities" by Kingfisher Publications
Age 3 to 5 years
"Mud" by Mary Lyn Ray - A child has fun as he watches spring unfold.
"It Looked Like Spilt Milk" by Charles G. Shaw - Watch the creative thinking unfold as children see a white shape transform from page to page.
"Water Dance" by Thomas Locker - The story of the water cycle told using short poems and beautiful illustrations.
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle - The journey of a caterpillar from an egg to a beautiful butterfly.
"Beautiful Moments in the Wild: Animals and their Colors" by Stephanie Maze - An amazing collection of photos of animals in their natural environments.
Your preschool-age child may also enjoy:
- Animals Friends: A Global Celebration of Children and Animals by Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko
Age 5 to 12 years
"Classic Starts: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Every child can enjoy the adventures of Holmes and Watson as they search for clues to solve mysterious cases.
"Treasure Island (A Stepping Stone Book™)" by Lisa Norby and Fernado Fernandez - Pirates are mischievous, dangerous fellows who like to have fun. Remind you of anyone, Mom?
"Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Party Edition)" by Dr. Seuss - This classic tale of optimism and success is sure to inspire any child ready to move, advance a grade or otherwise make a change.
"Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer" by John Grisham - A teenager takes to the courtroom to ensure justice is served.
"Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 4)" by Jeff Kinney - An indoor boy deals with the days of summer break in a world where all his friends are playing outdoors.
Other great reads for school-age children include:
- "Alice in Wonderland / Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll
- "The Swiss Family Robinson Or Adventures in a Desert Island" by Johann David Wyss
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