Longer, warmer, sunnier days can only mean one thing: summer’s finally here! And no matter what you’re doing, don’t forget to bring along the books. You can even travel without leaving home.

I always find it fascinating that experts support what common sense tells us — simply that summer reading should remain light. I think we all need to be reminded sometimes that children learn even while they’re having fun.

If reading is a drudge or becomes a painful process of decoding words, readers of any age won’t have energy left over to make meaning or find humor. And, well, that’s just not fun.

I like funny books, especially during the summer. And what could be better than a silly book set in the sea? A blue squid claims I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean in a book by Kevin Sherry (Dial) — even bigger than the bar code on the back of the book.

Kids will get a kick out of the silly squid as they repeat the refrain, “I’m bigger than…” and maybe consider what they’re bigger than — and all because books are the biggest things ever!

About the Author

Maria Salvadore is Reading Rockets’ consultant for children’s literature and literacy. Maria curates our themed booklists and writes the blog, Page by Page, which explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside and outside of the classroom. She leads parent workshops for Ready To Learn (RTL) at WETA Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. She has also taught children’s literature at the University of Maryland, reviewed books for School Library Journal, and has served on various book award committees, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, Golden Kite, and the Caldecott Committee.

Publication Date
June 14, 2007
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