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:

Take flight through imaginary worlds: Flight Explorer

Editor: Kazu Kibuishi
Ages: 8 and up*

Rating:  4 out of 5 unique snowflakes

 

The creator of Amulet series is the editor and a contributor to this imaginative collection of comics and graphic short stories. 

 

There is a good mix of humorous and heartwarming stories, and this is a great way for both adults and kids to be introduced to the work of some amazing writers/illustrators.    

 

 

 

 

 

*Warning:  Sensitive children may be upset by the (off-page) sacrificing and mummification of a cat in ancient Egypt in "Egyptian Cat: Perfect Cat."  

 

 

 

Step Into Reading and Emotions with Inside Out Books

Series:  Disney/Pixar Inside Out (Step into Reading)
Ages: 5 to 8

If your child enjoyed Disney Pixar's latest movie, Inside Out, encourage their interest in reading with the Inside Out Step into Reading books.

Welcome to Headquarters comes with shiny stickers and Journey into the Mind comes with collector cards kids can play a memory game with.

For younger children, consider the Inside Out Box of Mixed Emotions, which is a cute box set with five books, one for each emotion: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust. 



Click on the images for more information:




I haven't rated these books as I have not had a chance to read them yet.  If you have read one to your child, please give your feedback in the comments.

Lego Star Wars in 100 Scenes is a Force to be Reckoned With

Title:  LEGO Star Wars in 100 Scenes
Ages: 6 and up
Rating:  5 out of 5 lightsabers

All six Star Wars movies are reenacted in Lego in this book with definite kid-appeal.  My reluctant reader read all 215 pages in one sitting, the longest he's ever read at a time (second only to the Minecraft books).

What kids will love:

• the action
• reading the funny captions 
• seeing their favourite movie characters in Lego form
• the awesome Lego spaceships
• the additional details in the text boxes on each page

The only down side is that children will no doubt be wanting you to buy them Lego after reading this book (the LEGO Star Wars Death Star  will set you back $399!).  The set numbers are included in the book, which may be of interest to collectors, but shouldn't be in a book targeted at kids.

There's also a non-Lego Star Wars in 100 Scenes available older children and adults that would make a great companion book:

Disgusting Critters you want your child to encounter - Disgusting Creature Books by Elise Gravel

Series:  Disgusting Critters
Author:  Elise Gravel, founder of the Organization for Defense of Disgusting Critters
Age range:  
Overall rating:  5 out of 5 rats sitting on your toilet seat


What kids will love:

• the funny illustrations and captions 
• grossing out their parents with the books

What parents will love:

• the educational value of the series
• learning some new things themselves (I learned that lice can't jump, much to my relief!)

Personal favourite: The Slug (Disgusting Creatures)

Flat Stanley Stories Won't Fall Flat for Early Readers

Series: Flat Stanley
Author:  Jeff Brown
Age range: 6 to 10
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 Flat Stanleys

After a bulletin board falls on him, Stanley becomes flat!  But being flat has its advantages, and in each story, Flat Stanley saves the day.

What kids will love:

• imagining what they could do if they were flat like Stanley
• the stories are easy to read
• the amusing illustrations
• making their own Flat Stanley

Personal favourite:  Flat Stanley at Bat (I Can Read Book 2)