Fun at the Beach! 5 Summer Books for Little Kids

What books for toddlers do you recommend for summer?  Here are 5 suggestions:

1. Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach



2 .Daniel's Day at the Beach (Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood)



3. Baby Loves Summer!: A Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Book 




4. Duck & Goose Go to the Beach



5. Mouse's First Summer (Classic Board Books)

Five Summer Reads for Early Readers

Looking for  summer reads to encourage your early reader?

Here are some suggestions.  What books do you suggest?


1.Pete the Cat's Train Trip (My First I Can Read) - I just can't get enough of Pete the Cat!




2.Frog and Toad Quartet: The Complete Collection - an old favourite.



3.Pinkalicious: Fairy House




4.Amelia Bedelia Makes a Friend - a new twist on an old favourite.

 
5.
Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream

Top 3 Mistakes Parents Make That Discourage Reluctant Readers

Make sure you encourage, not discourage, your reluctant reader by avoiding these pitfalls.

Mistake #1:  Choosing books you think they should read, rather than what they want to read.

You are at the bookstore and your child wants to buy the latest Captain Underpants book but you want to get them.  What do you do?

Buy the Captain Underpants book no matter how much it pains you.

Mistake #2: Giving your child harder books to challenge them.

So what if everyone else's child is reading chapter books like the Harry Potterbooks?  Build your child's confidence by choosing Hi-Lo books that are easy for them to read, but still appeal to their age level.

Mistake #3:  Not letting your child read graphic novels because they aren't "real" books.

There are many amazing stories and artwork to be discovered in graphic novel form by your reluctant reader.  Don't believe me? Check out the Amulet series as a start.


Have any of your attempts to get your child to read backfired?  Please share your story by leaving a comment.

From Dragons to Phantom Bullies - Top 5 Summer Reads for Reluctant Middle School Readers

Here is my list of top 5 books to put on your middle school child's summer reading list:

1. The Phantom Bully (Star Wars: Jedi Academy #3) by award-winning author-illustrator Jeffrey Brown.

 


2. Wings of Fire Book Seven: Winter Turning



3. My Life as a Gamer (The My Life series)



4.Middle School: Just My Rotten Luck by James Patterson



5. Geronimo Stilton Cavemice #8: Surfing for Secrets



Please leave your summer read suggestions in the comments below:

Can Minecraft help your reluctant reader?

Do you think gaming can improve your child's reading skills?

It's debatable, but I will say that I was surprised a few years ago after my son started playing Minecraft and started using words like "granite" and "obsidian" in casual conversation.

Also, the Minecraft Essential Handbook still remains the longest book that he has read by himself.  

Has Minecraft or any other video game helped your reluctant reader?  Add your comments

Fact or Fiction: Are These Reluctant Reader Myths?

Are these reluctant reader myths or truths?  Leave your comments below:

1.  Reluctant readers don't like to read.

2.  Boys are more reluctant to read than girls.

3.  Reluctant readers will "grow out of it."

4.  Even if a book isn't very good, it is better if a kid reads something, rather than nothing.