Ready, Set, Read!

Ready, Set, Read!

Words by Sue Burns

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy… Kids savor free time away from school with activities like swimming, sleeping in, and eating ice cream. Hopefully, they escape the heat by diving into reading too! There's nothing like a quiet afternoon with a good book. Beyond relaxation, reading stimulates imagination, increases vocabulary, and builds patience and perseverance. Reading also helps kids avoid the dreaded “summer slide” by maintaining the momentum they’ve built during the school year and being ready to hit the ground running when summer break ends.

It’s never too late to start, and our community is ready to help kids expand their summer reading repertoire in a fun variety of ways! Here are some programs happening this summer:

Tulare Public Library

iRead Summer Reading Program: Read, Renew, Repeat. When: June 1-July 13

Sign-up: Sign up anytime. Visit tulare.ca.gov or pick up a reading log at the library.

Incentives: Prizes offered for completed logs. Extreme Science Magic Show on July 6 at 1:00pm (no pre-registration required).

Tulare County Library

Annual Summer Reading Challenge

When: June 11-July 20

Sign-up: Sign up online at tularecountylibrary.beanstack.org (download the Beanstack Tracker App), or visit your local branch to get a reading log.

Incentives: Children up to age 5 are encouraged to read 30 books (or have 30 books read to them). Children 6+, teens and adults are all challenged to read for 30 days (materials: books, magazines, eBooks and online articles or audiobooks). Prizes offered for those who complete the challenge.

Exeter Public Library

iRead Summer Reading Program: Read Renew, Repeat

When: June 25-August 23

Sign-up: Visit the library for a reading bingo card. Some activities require advance registration. exeterri.gov/library/ page/youth-programs.

Incentives: Activities for children and teens that include STEAM programs, storytimes, in-person presentations on OWLS and wildlife rehabilitation, and more. Choose a prize for each completed bingo card.

Barnes & Noble

Reading Journal Program

When: July 1-August 31

Sign-up: Pick up a reading journal, available in English and Spanish, at the new Visalia store. stores.barnesandnoble.com/ store/3447

Incentives: Kids can read any books they want, and write about their favorite part in the journal. Earn a free book after completing 8 books in the journal. Warrior Cats and Harry Potter birthday activities scheduled in July, and local authors hosted. Picture book story time every Saturday year-round at 10:00 am for children up to age 6.

Start Your Own Summer Book Club!

1. Tailor it to fit your children’s ages and abilities: independent reading or picture books.

2. Include one age or multiple ages—grandparents could join!

3. Choose a name and a meeting time together with the group—decide if you’ll continue when school resumes, too.

4. Have members select books, either taking turns or voting for each pick—or each can read their own book and share at the meeting.

5. Crafts, snacks, and activities that fit with the theme of the book(s) work well.

For more book recommendations and digital resources, visit the American Library Association’s ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) website: ala.org/alsc/ publications-resources/book-lists/summer-2024