Summer Reading for Children

It can be hard to motivate children to read during the summer. Most of them have other plans. And those plans probably don’t include getting through any kind of reading list that their teachers might have handed out, let alone anything that diligent parents might have in mind. Even when the sun isn’t shining, most kids will put TV watching and video game playing ahead of book reading.
But there are ways to keep children interested in reading during the summer months. Parents can even sneak in some learning without their offspring realising it’s happening. With a little luck – and a little planning – it should be possible to avoid hearing the words “I’m bored” all summer long.

A Different Routine
The last thing children want when they’ve finally escaped from the 5-day school regime is another timetable. It is the holidays, after all. The idea is to try and promote the enjoyment of reading, not the necessity of book learning. It’s important not to push set reading times or a set number of pages to be read. Children will have had enough of that approach to reading from school, which makes it important to move away from any suggestion of targets to be achieved or ‘to do’ lists to get through. Instead, encourage them to pick what they want to read and choose when they want to read it.

Library Visits
Visiting the library can help introduce children to a much wider range of books than the ones they’re used to seeing. Being surrounded by so many free choices – not just books for schools – can be a genuinely transformational experience. Many libraries also hold activities over the summer, which help children to engage in reading by keeping them entertained them at the same time. If nothing else, libraries can be perfect destinations on rainy days.

The star attraction in libraries this summer is the National Summer Reading Challenge. Now in its 12th year, it’s run in communities across the country over the summer holidays. Designed for children aged 4-11, the event challenges children to read six books before they go back to school. If they do, they receive a certificate – and there are other rewards too. Events like these help to change children’s perceptions of libraries and help them to see the local library as an exciting place to be. It also provides an environment in which books can be enjoyed away from the classroom, where struggling readers can react poorly to regimentation and pressure.

Pick Well
Don’t leave your holiday reading choices until you’re on the road or at the airport. Plan ahead a little and find something that’s worth the suitcase space. For a great classic to indulge in on holiday, you can’t beat Treasure Island. It’s a book that’s had its sharper edges taken off over the years by lacklustre film versions, which makes it a real page turner for children introduced to the real thing for the first time. Boys in particular will be enthralled by the dark menace of the original. A lighter classic series for boys from more recent times is the set of Just William stories by Richmal Crompton. Any of the titles will fit the bill. They are as relevant, funny and beautifully written as they were when first published. For younger children, the must-have picture book has got to be Gorilla by Anthony Browne. This is a classic book by the new Children’s Laureate. It is warm, moving and beautifully illustrated. For reading aloud at bedtime, you might take James Thurber’s The 13 Clocks. This wonderful twisted fairy tale is marvellous to read alone, but aloud it is a unique and glorious romp filled with memorable and funny lines. For junior readers, try Tommy Donbavand’s cool, funny Scream Street series. Finally, for your teens, try the Carnegie-winning Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd and Marcus Sedgwick’s exciting fable of the Russian revolution, Blood Red, Snow White.

Read Aloud

Reading aloud can be enjoyable for both parents and children and can become a pleasurable family activity. Reading together can give parents a good indication of how their child is performing and can help identify what the child is struggling with or where their interests lie. Picking a book that lasts for several weeks and getting into character with different voices will create an extended and memorable time of anticipated excitement that can last well beyond the holidays.

Do It Yourself
At home or away during the summer, if children see their parents reading as a matter of routine, they are more likely to do so themselves. Having lots of different reading material around, and witnessing their parents using it, will emphasise the idea that reading is an important part of their summer holidays. Having books and other reading material around for the children – as well as the novels, magazine and newspapers for adults – will soon encourage them to pick up the same habits.

After The Holidays

Chatterbooks is a national network of reading groups for children aged four to twelve, coordinated by The Reading Agency – http://www.readingagency.org.uk. It is a programme that’s all about encouraging a love and enjoyment of reading. It’s a great way to find out about the best children’s books and ideas to get children hooked on reading. You can run a Chatterbooks group in libraries and schools, or virtually anywhere that children can get together. The activities appeal to all children, including those not currently engaged with reading. The groups meet as often as it suits – usually weekly or monthly – and there are tons of tried and tested ideas for activities and sessions you that can draw on to make each meeting inspiring and fun. They can be run by volunteer parents as well as by teachers, teaching assistants, or library staff.

Pandora Books is a trusted supplier of books direct to Britain’s schools. They are the UK’s Number One for the provision of specially compiled book collections to meet the criteria of the National Curriculum and the National Literacy strategy.