Happy Book Lover’s Day!

A family that reads together, feeds (their minds) together! Summer is a great time to relax with a good book—whether on the deck, at the beach or around the campfire. And it is a very peaceful activity to do as a family. 

Start young! Reading to children from the earliest age can set them up for a lifetime of loving books, as well as prepare them for school and enhance their vocabulary. It also gives them valuable time with their caregiver(s) in a warm, nurturing environment.

Literacy is more than just reading and writing. It’s the foundation upon which we learn and grow.

Building literacy skills in children is one of the most effective ways to ensure they can achieve their full potential in school and throughout life. Literacy opens doors to understanding, empathy, critical thinking, and the capacity for lifelong learning, according to the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation.

Some of our favourite children’s authors include:

  • Richard Scarry—amazing illustrations and characters, great for learning vocabulary
  • Margaret Wise Brown—from Goodnight Moon to Runaway Bunny—sure to be passed down in your family
  • Sandra Boynton—funny rhymes that are easy for children to memorize and read along

And for older children (these could also be read together as a family):

  • Laura Ingalls Wilder—expose children to life in the 1800s and how hard people had to work just to survive (and her Canadian counterpart, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables)
  • J.K. Rowling—who doesn’t love Harry Potter and his magical world! 
  • Judy Blume—for younger audiences like Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing to books for tweens, these topics are still timeless
  • Suzanne Collins—a great author for tweens and teens in the sci-fi realm—even adults will love reading the Hunger Games series

For children who are transitioning to reading on their own, consider graphic novels in series like Big Nate or The Babysitters Club, where text is broken up into easier-to-read snippets accompanied by illustrations. A children’s magazine subscription can also be fun! Getting a Highlights or Children’s National Geographic magazine in the mailbox can brighten a child’s day and spark their curiosity and creativity.

For more ideas for reading as a family, visit https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/reading-resources/9-tips-to-inspire-family-reading.html and to buy books http://www.scholastic.ca/ or support your local neighbourhood bookstore.

On Sunday, August 9th, celebrate Book Lover’s Day by picking up a new book, starting a book club or even having a family theme night where you dress up and act as your favourite book character!