Rainy Days and a Far-Off Adventure

Growing up, one of the things I looked forward most to during summer vacation was having an unlimited amount of free time to read. I remember lazy rainy days tucked into a chair, nose buried deep in some far-off adventure. There was also the intense research of finding just the right books to take on the long-awaited beach trip. I have always enjoyed reading and still do, although I must admit as an adult, there seems to be less time to fit it into my schedule!

Unfortunately, our kids today are more interested in video games, TV, YouTube and their other electronic devices than actual books I get the sense that they feel like reading is a chore, and I understand that what they are required to read for school is not that entertaining.  Summer is the perfect time to introduce them to pleasure reading: take a trip to the library and let them pick out something they really want to read. Then when the rainy days hit or they’re just tired of going to the pool, there will be something enriching for them to do.

A few suggestions, according to age:

Age 3-5

After the Fall by Dan Santat

Can I be your dog? By Troy Cummings

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Age 6-8

The Jada Jones Series: Class Act by Kelly Starling Lyons

Fish are not afraid of doctors by J.E. Morris

Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak 

Age 9-12

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

Daring Dreamers Club #1: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg

Harry Potter series books 1-3 by J.K. Rowling

The Legend of Greg by Chris Rylander