2014 Summer Reading: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

June 7, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Yay! I completed my adult summer reading log and within the first week of signing up.

Desiring to read the recommended reading books prior to my children, I am reading and marking them off of list one at a time.

While I am enjoying my summer reading, my children are in a game-playing phase right now.

Miss 4 wakes up asking me to play Go Fish while Mr. 8 reluctantly joins us for the chance to play Phase 10 or another “bigger” game with me later.

Growing up is a good thing and giving children the best start means starting with something simple before moving to the complex.

For the young children, our next summer reading program is actually all-year long through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Participants

Children ages 0 – 5.

Program Length

Expires on the child’s 6^th birthday.

Goal

Develop a love of reading from birth with a new book each month.

Requirements

Check to see if there is a participating Imagination Library in your local area. If so, then signup any eligible child.

If you don’t have this program, then send this link to your school district’s preschool coordinator requesting they offer this program.

Reward

Each month your child will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail throughout his time in the program.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Benefits

Unfortunately, our area does not invest in the lives of young child through this program.

When Mr. 8 was born, there was a similar program where an education coordinator came to our home once a month and talked about normal development, played a game or two with us, and then left us an age-appropriate book.

Within the second year of my son’s life, the program ceased without a replacement.

I still remember the first book our educator Brooke gave to him as Mr. 8 gnawed on it and would not let it go. Though he chewed on it, this book survived all 3 of my children and still has life left.

He loved to have it read to him and kept it in his crib.

If you have young children or know of those with little ones and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available in your area, then please sign them up and encourage others to do the same.

You can’t beat up to 60 FREE books to get your home library going for your young learner. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

2014 Summer Reading: Chuck E. Cheese

June 6, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Chuck E. Cheese

Relaxed and read an e-book last night before heading to bed.

With our home mostly in ship shape, I have discovered time to read, play more with my children, and delight in the moments.

Since school has ended for us, our family has a new-found freedom which is wonderful.

For my children, I have started reading a chapter book to them at night, but we have spent the week running errands, spending time with grandparents, playing with friends at the park, dropping off and picking up my art camp attendee, and taking in a memorable baseball game. Whew!

When put together it sounds really busy, but it has been relaxing and fun.

Summer is filled with great adventures including playing games with tokens earned via the Chuck E. Cheese Reward Calendar program.

Chuck E. Cheese Summer Reading

Photograph Credit: Chuck E. Cheese

Participants

Students of all ages.

Program Length

Expires on December 31, 2014.

Goal

Read every day for 2 weeks.

Requirements

Work on your summer reading and complete the Reading Reward calendar by marking each day read with a sticker, “X,” stamp, amount of time read, or initial.

Redemption

Take the finished Reading Reward to a participating Chuck E. Cheese.

Reward

Make a food purchase and receive 10 FREE tokens for your accomplishment. No more than 1 of any FREE token offer can be used per child, per day.

Chuck E. Cheese Benefits

Playing arcade games, earning tickets, and choosing prizes comprises our visits at Chuck E. Cheese. From the racing games to skeet ball, Chuck E. Cheese has numerous arcade games for children of all ages.

For valuable coupons, register for the Chuck E. Cheese e-mail club and have savings delivered to your inbox. If you prefer to keep your inbox clutter-free, then you can also access coupons from the Chuck E. Cheese’s website.

With 10 FREE tokens earned for 14 days of summer reading with no registration necessary, you can complete the Reading Reward and wait until your next visit to Chuck E. Cheese. Having until the end of the year to redeem your reward, you have plenty of time to read and earn.

The indoor fun at Chuck E. Cheese is a welcome break from the heat of summer or a scheduled break this fall. In pairing rewards with coupons, families can stay within their budget while celebrating the accomplishment of hard work. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

Barnes and Noble
Books-A-Million

2014 Summer Reading: Books-A-Million

June 5, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: BAM

Reading two neat books this morning, I am more excited about summer reading than my children.

In fact, I have been asked about the benefits of summer reading.

Besides, keeping up their reading proficiency, I encourage my children to try reading new material.

During the school year, their reading lists are chosen for them.

Though my son prefers to have a book handed to him to read, I am willing to let him explore and discover the thrill of learning on his own through reading.

My daughter, on the other hand, enjoys picking and choosing her selections based on the pictures and colors of the book’s cover.

For those students, who prefer to have a list of books to read, try the Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program.

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program

Photograph Credit: BAM

Participants

Students in Kindergarten – Grade 12

Program Length

June 1 – August 16, 2014

Goal

Read any 6 books on the Summer Reading form.

Requirements

Complete the Summer Reading form with your name, age, and date.
Check off the books read.
Ask a parent or legal guardian to sign and date the bottom of your form to verify the submitted information.

Redemption

Take the finished Summer Reading form to your local Books-A-Million bookstore.

Reward

Receive a FREE Theodore Boone pencil case and pencil, while supplies last.

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program Highlights

This program is new to me, and I’m not sure we will participate. My son might start reading the Encyclopedia Brown series which is included on this list, but I’m not sure he will read 6 books.

As you look over these programs, consider the time spent verses the reward. Honestly, my son won’t flip over a pencil case and pencil. However, my daughter loves earning any reward.

In using time wisely, consider the investment on your family’s time to get in these summer reading programs. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

Barnes and Noble

2014 Summer Reading: Barnes & Noble

June 4, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Barnes and Noble

After the summer reading series kickoff post yesterday, I know you are ready to encourage life-long learning.

Summer reading programs offer rewards as motivation to those who achieve the established goals.

Choosing to list these summer reading programs in alphabetical order, I present the Barnes & Noble Imagination’s Destination.

Barnes & Noble Imagination’s Destination

Photograph Credit: Barnes and Noble

Participants

Students in grades 1 through 6

Program Length

May 20 – September 2, 2014

Goal

Read any 8 books.

Requirements

Complete the Barnes & Noble Reading Journal with your information, list of books read, and to whom and why you would recommend each book.

Redemption

Take the finished Reading Journal to your local Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Reward

Choose a FREE book from the available titles listed on the Reading Journal.

Barnes & Noble Imagination’s Destination Highlights

My son has participated in this reading program for the past 3 years while my daughter finally got to submit her log last year.

After participating for a few years, we have found that the earlier in the summer you claim your prize, the better your chances for choosing the book of your choice on the list.

Our two readers claimed their prizes around the end of July last year, and our store had all the available books on the list.

However, the first year we participated, we waited until the end of the promotion, and the selection was down to one or two books remaining.

If you participate, then claim your reward soon after completing the 8 books for the best selection on your prize.

A unique part of Barnes & Nobles’ reading program is thinking about whom else would enjoy reading the books read.

I enjoyed hearing the description of those my son thought should read his 8 books. Some descriptions were vague while others were specific.

Without any signup, you only need to print the Reading Journal for each participating student, record the information, and trade the journal for a FREE book.

Happy summer reading!

Summer Reading: Series Kickoff

June 3, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Summer has either arrived or is on the horizon, and there are more than 15 summer reading programs available.

As each summer reading program has unique eligibility, requirements, and rewards, I will take the next 2-3 weeks to highlight one program each day.

Next week, I will take a little break from this series to focus on Father’s Day, and then I will continue and complete the summer reading series.

Throughout these posts, you will find some well-loved favorite programs, a couple new opportunities, and some changes from prior years. All these summer reading programs aim to make life-long learning fun.

In preparing for our summer reading and jump starting our school year in the fall, I reserved a couple of books for Mr. 8 and Miss 6 at our library. When we stopped by earlier today, two of the four books had arrived.

Though I think I’m more excited than they are, I encouraged them to stock up on books for summer reading. While they like trying new books, they thrive when they choose their own selections.

To help them track their summer reading progress, I created the following FREE printable 2014 Summer Reading Log.

2014 Summer Reading Log

2014 Summer Reading Log (.pdf version)

2014 Summer Reading Log (Microsoft Word version)

You are welcome to download, customize the Microsoft Word version, and use this FREE printable. To share this resource with others, please forward the link to this post rather than sending the file directly.

Thank you for protecting Using Time Wisely’s copyright.

For more summer reading resources, check out Shelley’s printable All-star pack with coupons and a game to help motivate less-enthusiastic readers. Another option is Allison’s 3 months of calendars listing reading activities, resources, and recommendations for each day.

As the excitement builds and this series kickoff takes off tomorrow, may you, in whatever season of life, embrace summer reading as you grow and develop from the inside out. Happy reading!

Question: What is one title on your summer reading list?

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