Keeping Kids Reading All Summer Long #YMCKidsRead

This post is part of  YummyMummyClub.ca‘s support of the TD Summer Reading Club program and other TD Children’s Literacy initiatives.  

As a mom of four, I have learned that the simplest of things are often the best. Reading a book, cuddling and enjoying each others company is worth way more than any outing or item I can buy my kids. That few minutes of calm is often enough to start a great day or end one.  My children are all various ages, one is four and the rest are teens. So their interests are quite different.  My older boys like to read adventure books, magazines and sports books. My one son who is 13 loves biographies and history books where the other is more interested in nature and science.  They are all loving books that are made into movies just like me. Often we will read the book then watch the movie or vice versa to see how they were different. For me, it is great to see the classic books from my childhood be turned into movies. Books like the Hobbit, The Cat in the Hat, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Being able to enjoy these books with my children is an enjoyable feeling. Often the movie inspires them wanting to read more. I find my sons who are both teenagers really enjoy these kinds of books.

Summer for us is a busy time. We have busy schedules, sports, work and family outings. I love the days we can lay around and do nothing. Sit on the deck, sipping iced tea and reading. Our four year old loves being read too. She is just starting to read beginner books on her own. Letter recognition is getting easier and easier. We read books about girls like her and books about princesses and ballerinas.  This week she is reading Clara and the Bossy, a girl who thinks she is a princess maybe:). She has a wonderful imagination and loves to play out the book with her toys afterwards. Another fave so far this year for her was  Isabella’s Garden, must be because we have our own little garden.

We have a fantastic selection of books at home. But when we want something different, something we may not have at home, we go to the library. The library can be your best friend in the summer. They have story time, movie nights and other age appropriate activities (check your local library for details) they also have the TD Summer Reading Club .

You can take your child to your local library to sign up for the TD Summer Reading Passport. They can read books, get rewards and have fun. There is a list of age appropriate books as well. It’s great for kids of all ages. My kids have signed up for the last few years. This year when they signed up they were excited to check out some Canadian titles like Wow Canada! and The World in your Lunchbox.

Last year alone, TD donated $4 million to children’s literacy and reading organizations in Canada. The TD Summer Reading Club is one of the many worthwhile initiatives TD funded.

This annual reading program inspires children nationwide to keep reading all summer long, through regular visits to their public libraries. It also operates in association with the CNIB, to allow children with  print disabilities. More than 580,000 children participate in the TD Summer Reading Club, collectively reading over 2.4 million books each summer.

The program is supported with children’s activity kits and posters, and also has a robust online presence. The annual program runs from mid-June until Labour Day weekend and recent program enhancements include a national pre-school reading program and a pilot teen program in Toronto.

The TD Summer Reading Club in partnership with Toronto Public Library and Library and Archives Canada, helps children across Canada build and maintain strong reading skills throughout the summer months, while having fun.

What a great way to support literacy across Canada. This week we are reading about princesses, next week it may be cooking and camping. I cannot wait to see what she chooses to read. No doubt this is keeping her brain active for school as well.

What have your kids been reading this summer? Have you visited your local library to sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club yet?

 

 

I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.

Want to inspire a love of reading in your children? Check out some great ideas and more stories by moms on YMC’s Get Kids Reading page. And to find out more about TD’s Children Literacy initiatives visit tdreads.com.

Comments

  1. multitestingmommy says

    We love reading in our house too! I want to come read some books with your kids 😉 Your little one looks so cuddly all snuggled up with a book!
    My recent post Maybe @Kinder_Canada is What You Need to Scare the Monsters Away! #KINDERMom

  2. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says

    Our girls are readers, too…and we've hit up the library a few times. We need to add to our "bigger kids" book selection as our oldest likes chapter books.

  3. I'm a HUGE fan of those summer reading programs or anything that encourages reading. There is so much fun in the pages of a book and the library is one of the best resources there is!
    My recent post Yip, Yep, Yappem

  4. That sounds like a great program. I've always loved it when I saw my sons reading. I found what hooked them most were when they found series that they loved. That kept them busy reading for a long time.

  5. Reading is a big part of our lives and I'm so happy that both of my kids enjoy it just as much as I do! I love that your daughter has such a great imagination and will play out the book afterwards with her toys! My daughter does the same, and I think that's awesome. It means they're really enjoying it 🙂
    My recent post Dreamy Choco-Berry Delights

  6. We have our own reading summer club here and we love to sign up for it each summer. The kids have been obsessed with going to the library every Monday and picking a book.

  7. Love reading with my boys – one of my favourite activities in the day. Unlike most families we don't read before bed, we read a few times during the day – trying to teach my boys that reading is a wonderful activity for anytime of day.
    Love the idea of this partnership too – such a great way to encourage reading.
    My recent post Mystery Box Giveaway $1750 Value

  8. I really want to check out that WOW Canada book. Sounds awesome.
    My recent post Get Fit With The You Pick Challenge Group

  9. CanadianMomEh says

    My husband and I grew up reading LOTS and share that enthusiasm with our children. We have a fantastic summer reading program at our local library. Fortunately I kept most of my favourite childhood books to share with my children so this summer they're reading at home and combing through my own library.
    My recent post #ChevyDrive #review of the 2013 @Chevrolet #Equinox

  10. What a great initiative. We go through books like mad here, I grew up with my nose in a book and thankfully my girls are the same. My oldest prefers books on audio so thankfully we’re tech savvy enough to access those.

  11. I loved being a part of the TD reading club when I was a kid, then running it when I worked at my local library during my University days.
    What a great way to keep kids busy (and learning) during the summer months
    My recent post Byward Market Ottawa – Amazing Food & Great Shopping all in one place!

  12. sarahbirdbogner says

    We've visited the public library quite often. My daughter doesn't read yet but she's very interested in books!

  13. inkscrblr says

    The library is our friend. From the time both my gals were infants I would march them down in the stroller for books for babies and we have been reading every summer and every winter and well, every season since. My girls LOVE to read and they love the Beacock branch and Children's branch of the library in London. It is still a relevant and useful community service. Plus I love that I can send the books back. I mean there's only so much room for all the books in my house! TD is a bank I love for many reasons: 1. the do social media well, and 2: they do things like this and give back to the environment, 3: they are good at customer service. I support and keep money there because I find them to be human in their approach to everything. That makes me happy.
    My recent post Five Ways to Get Rid of the Monster in the Closet: #Kindermom

  14. That picture is the cutest ever! My kids love to read too, and when they were younger, the library was like our second home! I think public libraries are one of the greatest places for kids period. Not only is it great for a family budget, but the possibilities for discovery of fun books, authors, illustrators and stories are endless. Have a fun summer reading! Angie xo
    My recent post Campfire Mexican Dip with Grenadine Lime Sippers

  15. What a great program!and so great to see a company like TD giving back!!

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