Darcie Caswell, Youth Services Coordinator at Central Rappahannock Regional Library
The solstice has just passed and we have Independence Day this week. There’s no denying that summer is in full swing. Hopefully reading is part of every child’s daily routine during the summer to encourage brain development and learning and also bring some calm to busy days. The Central Rappahannock Regional Library has many books to help you and your child enjoy reading, whether you’re looking for a story to inspire summer adventures or one that will transport you to faraway places with the power of stories during a stay-at-home vacation. Make the library’s summer reading program a part of your summer adventures by signing up at librarypoint.org/summer.
“Ready? Set. Go!” by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by Derek Anderson. Raymond and his friend Roxy are excited to start their summer with a trip to the amusement park. Raymond rides ride after ride, looking for the fastest one he can find. But after a ride on the Road Runner roller coaster, he decides to slow down.
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“Summer days and nights” by Wong Herbert Yee. A summer day is spent outside chasing butterflies, drinking lemonade, and splashing in the pool. When the sun goes down, it’s too hot to sleep, so the exploration of nature continues. Mice, an owl, fireflies, and frogs make summer nights as memorable and fascinating as summer days.
“Summer is for cousins” by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Abhi Alwar. Aunts, uncles and cousins get together every year for a holiday together at a holiday home. Ravi, the youngest cousin, enjoys spending time with his cousins swimming, biking and playing. He especially admires Dhruv, the eldest, and enjoys any time they spend together. When Ravi thinks of a special experience that all the cousins get to share together, he is especially proud that Dhruv recognizes his creativity and the bond it creates between them.
“Vacation” by Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague. Bat, Cat and Rat agree that a vacation would be great, and all work together to earn the money to pay for it. But when it comes to deciding what kind of vacation to take and where to go, they can’t agree, and the argument threatens to destroy their friendship. Is there a way to make all three friends happy?
“The first summer of the very hungry caterpillar” by Eric Carle. Carle’s distinctive art conveys the joys of summer as the titular caterpillar explores gardens, parks and the lakeshore, observing animals and people engaged in typical summer activities. Butterflies flutter, birds chirp, children read in the shade, families play in the park and ants march across a picnic blanket; all make for a perfect summer day.
“When summer comes” by Aimée M. Bissonette, illustrated by Erin Hourigan. Seeking summer adventure, a family packs up to get out and explore. Equipped with binoculars, hiking poles, and kayaks, they first head into the woods, where they see interesting things, big and small, from deer to insects on the forest floor. Next, they head to the shore, examining tide pools and looking for whales. In all their adventures, exploring nature is their inspiration.
