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Summer Literacy Resources

For a summer full of books and fun, try out some of these ideas and explore Web resources to help you.

Keep on Reading

Check out these recommended reading lists for children of all ages.

American Library Association
The ALA site provides a complete listing of winners of the Newbery, Caldecott, and other awards.

Baltimore County Public Library
This site provides a comprehensive, annotated list of summer reading books arranged by age level.

Boston Public Library
Check out Boston Public Library's exhaustive list of books for children arranged in categories such as Books for Brand-New Readers, Books for Toddlers, and If You Like Harry Potter...Try These Books....

Education World
A list of "book-tivities" to extend your child's understanding accompanies an annotated list of recommended reading for kindergarten through eighth grade on this site.

KidsReads
KidsReads offers an excellent annotated list of classic and new books arranged by age level.

International Reading Association
The International Reading Association provides a unique, annotated, downloadable list of literature chosen by children and by teachers each year from 1998 to 2002 arranged by reading level.

Learn More About Favorite Authors and Illustrators

After reading a book this summer, you and your child may enjoy looking at the author or illustrator's Web site. Most authors include information about themselves and their books as well as information about how to send them a message. Check out these sites for more links to authors' and illustrators' Web sites.

Children's Book Council
This site offers an alphabetical listing of children's authors and illustrators with links to their Web sites.

Children's Literature Web Guide
This site offers another complete listing of children's authors and illustrators with links to their Web sites.

Create a Book

With extra time in the summer, many children enjoy creating their own books. Explore these Web sites that provide step-by-step directions and unique bookmaking ideas.

Denise Fleming Web Site
Step-by-step directions for how to make a beautiful journal using simple, natural materials are provided by the award-winning illustrator of In the Tall, Tall Grass, Barnyard Banter, and other children's books.

Makers' Gallery
Discover how to make fun and simple pop-up books by following the directions of Joan Irvine, author of How to Make Pop-ups.

Making Books.com
This is a how-to site for children that provides directions for making "index card books," "hot dog books," and accordion books, among others.

Think Quest
Directions for how to make unique kinds of books, including "graduated books," "peek-a-boo books," and "unfolding books," are written for and by children on this site.

Write a Book Review
Encourage your older child to read book reviews written by children his own age and to write and submit a review of his favorite book.

Surfing the Net with Kids
Check out this comprehensive listing of Web sites that invite children to write and submit brief online book reviews.

Write for the Web

Your child may enjoy reading others children's writing and even submitting some of her writing to be posted on the Web. Check out these Web sites that include writing for and by children.

Kid World
Kid World is a Web site that welcomes submissions of stories, poems, and jokes from children of all ages.

Kids' Space
This is a unique site that features children's poetry, stories, artwork, and music.

Activity Search
Explore this search tool that links to submission areas of your child's favorite PBS Kids TV shows.