Summer in Nashville brings to mind lazy days, ice cream treats, pools and water play, Summer movies, Summer camp, and some truly fantastic farmers markets. If you were at all like me as a kid, Summer stretched out before you as a fantastic time for reading adventures. Happily, there are a ton of Summer reading programs to help you encourage your kids to pick up a book (and avoid the Summer slide). We’ve gathered information on several of them for you here!
Nashville Public Library’s Summer Challenge
This one is always a favorite of mine. When my mom introduced me to the children’s corner in our tiny public library back home, I was pretty sure she’d handed me the keys to a magical kingdom. Our beautiful downtown library definitely lends itself to the magic of that memory, and I love any chance to take the kids there. (Of course, local branches are pretty magical—and very convenient!—as well.) A super part of NPL’s program is that they do an Adult Summer Reading Program too, so you can make it a family affair!
- Dates: May 1—August 15, 2015
- Details: Earn points for different reading (and library/community) activities. For example, you can earn points by reading (or listening to reading) for 20 minutes, visiting a park, visiting a museum, requesting a book online, or downloading an audio book—just to name a few. You get 5 points just for registering!
- Prizes: 25 points earns a “Choose Your Own” pass to a popular Nashville-area attraction (view prize info for details) + 1 entry to the grand prize drawing; 50 points earns a book bag + 1 entry to the grand prize drawing.
If your local branch reaches goal their goal, the library throws an End of Summer Party for your community!
If Nashville reaches our 1 Million Point goal, there will be Fine Forgiveness Week August 16-23, 2015! - BONUS: Tag #nplsummer on social media. Paint a picture? Bring a friend to the library? Visit a park? Tag pictures on social media with #nplsummer show us what you’re up to! (And that earns points too!)
Fairytales Bookstore’s “A Book A Week” Summer Reading Program
Numerous studies have shown that reading over the summer prevents reading loss or “summer slide.” Summer reading loss is cumulative – children don’t catch up in the fall. Fairytales’ reading program’s goal is to get kids to read a book a week over summer break and keep kids reading all summer long! The program is open to families—ALL the children in a household may participate (baby-18 years).
- Dates: June 1—August 31, 2015
- Details: Purchase 9 regularly priced books (at one time or any time June-August), and get 1 free book of your choice (Valued up to $20. Limit: 1 free book offer per child.) See Fairytales Bookstore for their “A Book A Week” punchcard. (114B South 11th Street, Nashville, TN 37206)
- BONUS: Fairytales hosts a sweet story time and craft every Saturday at 11am in the store.
Chuck E. Cheese’s Reading Rewards
This one actually isn’t limited to Summer . . . or to reading! Chuck E. Cheese offers a variety of reward calendar options that might come in useful as an incentive program with your child.
- Dates: Whenever you want! Just pick a two week stretch, set a goal, and go for it! (The current calendars state that they expire at the end of the year.)
- Details: Print off the goal calendar, mark off accomplished days with your child, and bring in the completed form to redeem at your local Chuck E. Cheese location.
- Prizes: 10 free tokens! This makes a great addition to one of the packages that Chuck E. Cheese offers for an easy dinner out where the kids can stay (relatively) self-entertained for a bit. We recommend choosing a week day evening if you want to avoid crowds.
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading
An easy, low-commitment program, Barnes & Noble provides a fun, printable journal that your kiddo may enjoy stashing in a treasured space or posting to the refrigerator for all to see.
- Dates: May 19—September 7, 2015
- Details: Download the B&N Reading Journal. Read any eight books and record them in the journal. Bring the completed journal to your local B&N store.
- Prizes: Choose a FREE BOOK from the selection on the Reading Journal list at the store!
Know of any other great reading programs that we’ve missed?
What other ways do you encourage your child to read over the Summer?
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