This summer we’ve been busy exploring many exciting places, and some of those adventures are through the books that we have been reading.
In the middle of June, I received a phone call from my son’s teacher to talk about when he goes into grade 2. Simply put, he’s not where he needs to be with reading. Talk about mom guilt. Of course, I asked what I could do to help and one of the biggest suggestions was reading, LOTS of reading, every day. Signs, books, music, and games – whatever he was interested in – and getting the whole family involved helps.
Summer Reading Programs
There are many benefits to reading, it helps to develop communication skills, vocabulary, self-awareness, expands the imagination, and is a great source of entertainment, and best of all its a fun and free family activity.
Thankfully here in Edmonton we also have a great summer reading program for all ages through the Edmonton Public Library and even better it’s available to everyone. Visit your local library to join the TD Summer Reading Club – It’s never too late to participate! This year, to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, the TD Summer Reading Club has 150 suggestions of 75 English and 75 French books for all ages from some great Canadian writers and illustrators.
Knowing that sometimes it’s not always as easy to leave the house, the TD Summer Reading Club also has a family-friendly online platform that has jokes, colouring sheets and stories where you can create your own ending, drawing lessons and a place to keep track of everything that you’ve done all summer. The online platform makes it easy to read and explore new places all summer long, all while using your imagination to do so!
There is still a lot of time to sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club. All you need to do is visit your local library!
Creating a Neighbourhood Mini Library
Knowing that reading doesn’t have to stop just because it’s summer time, we decided to create our own Neighbourhood Mini Library to encourage other kids in the neighbourhood to read too. We’ve seen a few of these around Edmonton, and the kids have always been excited to check out the books in them.
Created from a repurposed medicine cabinet that we purchase off of Kijiji, we added a base to raise the height for the perfect kid level, painted it with some fun colours, and added some books for all ages.
*Tip – Want to make your own Mini Library? If you’re looking to repurpose something, make sure it’s not pressed wood, as it will not hold up in inclement weather.
Because we live in a cul-de-sac, we also created a fun mini invitation to deliver to our neighbours letting them know that the Mini Library was available for them to come and use for the rest of summer and beyond.
Studies show that kids who keep reading all summer do better when they return to school in the fall*, so with all the reading and activities we’ve participated in this summer, I’m confident that we have helped my son get to where his reading needs to be.We’re also making new friends and connecting with our community as we do it.
Enter to win a set of TD Summer Reading Club Books
To help keep you and your family reading throughout the summer and beyond, you can enter to win a set of TD Summer Reading Club Books. The prize pack includes the 10 top reads from the TD Summer Reading club and has books for kids 0-12 yrs. A perfect selection for any family! All you need to do is enter via the widget below. (The contest is open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec).
Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and TD Summer Reading Club and have received compensation for this post. All opinions in the post are my own.
*TD Summer Reading Club website
Jonnie says
My son loves I Funny by James Patterson
Krystal B says
My sons like books about animals. Right now their favourite is a shark book.
Amy Heffernan says
My son enjoys Captain Underpants books!
Pam says
Night Cars is his fave.
Jena says
This is a great idea! My daughter likes Bernstein Bears books.
Stacey Y says
Berenstain bears is a current favourite.
Tanya says
My son loves the Geronimo Stilton kingdom of fantasy books and we’re starting on the Harry Potter books!
Victoria says
My Daughter like Peppa Pig and Its Okay to be Different
Cindy says
My son really like Cars Go and Book Book Book right now.
Shelley says
100 Prayers God loves to hear
Alana says
My girls love Silly Milly, I love You Stinky Face and I’ll love you forever
Roshni says
My sons new favourite is Freight Train.
Erika Letson says
Right now my son’s favourite book is called Nighttime Ninja. Thanks for the chance!
Jennifer says
365 Stories
ivy pluchinsky says
She likes all books about cats!
Vikkib says
Currently my oldest loves the secret garden in the flower fairy books. My youngest favourite is the foxs socks.
Jenny Major says
My son likes Captain Underpants
Juliee Fitze says
My granddaughter is to young to have a favorite book yet.
Laurie P says
currently, Pinkalicious is my girl favorite book!
Lynda Cook says
Right now anything Paw Patrol!!
Kristin Ashe says
The Balloon Tree by Pheobe Gilman
Maritess says
My kid’s favourite books are Fancy Nancy, Robert Munsch and Dr. Seuss’ books.
Meekyung says
She likes Daddy’s Little Girls
ducky says
Captain Underpants is at the top of the list.
Anne Derkat says
We love anything by Dr Suess.
Morgan Stewart says
“Are You My Mother?” by P. D. Eastman!
Marlene V says
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Sarah Pralet says
Love the Reading Club, fun & great encouragement.
Heather Swanson says
A Secret Garden
Karin Dollery says
My 3 granddaughters love the Captain Underpants books very much.
Calvin F. says
Curious george!
Leah says
My daughter loves the Elmer book series
lisa R says
i have to go! by robert munch
Stephanie Black says
Grandfather Twilight
Carole D says
My granddaughters like Bernstein Bears books.
Lilly Kavanagh says
My son loves Sandra Boynton board books since he’s 7 months he loves to hold onto one side of the book while I hold onto the other while I read to him.
Linda says
My son’s favourite book is an old book of poetry of my husband’s.
Shelley Dew says
My daughter’s favourite book of the moment is What the Ladybird Heard. It’s fun with all of the animal noises.
michelle tremblett says
My niece loves to read, right now she is into the captain underpants books, but loves so many different ones 🙂
George Meek says
I would like to have a book o give to my neighbours little girl who is always so nice to me.
Alanna Watt says
My daughter loves animal and Elmo books!
Rebecca G says
My son loves the Thomas the Train series
Theresa C. says
Dr. Seuss books have always been big favorites!
Melissa Black says
He is reading a lot of novel, action adventure young adult.
Megan Willis says
My daughter’s favorite books are anything Pinkalicious!
Anu Chopra says
My son loves the book – Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good Day.
Amy C says
My kids love Robert Munsch books. Love you Forever
janine a says
my toddler LOVES books, his favourite is probably ‘Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site’ or any Pete the cat books
Kirsten N says
The Percy Jackson books
Matt H says
My daughter’s favourite book is “Say Goodnight to the Sleepy Animals” by Ian Whybrow
Aimee says
MY daughter loves the warrior series.
Israel Y says
currently my kids favourite books are the geronimo stilton series
Julie D says
My son is loving the Geronimo Stilton series, especially the graphic novels
Kris Ziegler says
Love you Forever
Victoria K says
Any book with Peppa Pig
Denise M says
My son loves to read, “We are Going on a Bear Hunt”
Kim K says
Robert Munsch books
Caryn Coates says
My kids love anything by Dr Seuss right now
Jessica eapen says
My kid loves anything by Robert Munsch.
aaron reck says
The Jungle Book was always a favorite in my house. Thanks so much!
lisa bolduc says
my son love good night good night construction site
Julie bolduc says
My children love the Berenstain bears
gala says
my girls love R. Dahl’s books
Natalie says
My daughter loves the babysitters club series
Jill Rivera says
Amelia Bedeli is a funny maid that got my son to read.
Wanda B says
Dr Seuss ABC
Julie says
My kids love to read all sorts of books, but my daughter always comes back to her Robert Munsch books and Chicka chicka Boom boom, time and time again.
Jennifer H. says
We love Mercer Meyer books.
John H. says
We all like the Mercer Meyer books.
Aarone Mawdsley says
the berenstein bears
Julie Waldron says
My daughter like Geronimo Stilton.
kelly woods says
Forever my Baby you will be!!
Luna S says
Go dog Go!
Tanis says
Goodnight Moon right now!