PJ Library is a nonprofit that sends 240,000 free high-quality Jewish children’s books to families every month. The program was created by the nonprofit Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) in keeping with its mission to help people connect to Jewish values, traditions, and culture while building vibrant Jewish communities, according to its website.
With school out for the season, PJ Library is offering tips for getting kids to read and free books for kids of all ages.
Here are some ways PJ Library suggests to make sure the family reads, all summerlong:
- Take books with you. Toss books in a beach bag, a vacation carryon or in the stroller. On hot days at the park, encourage kids to find some shade and read for a few minutes. Families also can select a “vacation read” together for the child.
- Read aloud together. Children whose parents read aloud to them have a leg up on literacy and reading comprehension. Make silly voices, take turns, stop to answer questions a child might have — have fun and increase the child’s vocabulary while instilling a love of reading and stories.
- Go to the library. Some local libraries offer inexpensive or free children’s programming during the summer. If the child is old enough, sign them up for a library card so they can make their own selections from books, CDs, DVDs and games.
- Let kids choose. Let the child pick out what they want to read. If the child’s school has a summer reading list, make sure to give them some free choice materials as a reward for working through the list. Unconventional reading materials like magazines and graphic novels can be choices, too.
- Make it social. Join a summer reading challenge or a children’s book group, or start your own.
- Have a reading picnic. Grab a blanket, friends, snacks and a stack of favorite books. Kids can take turns listening to stories or read aloud together.
- Make “Story Stones.” Collect stones from your backyard, a nature walk or a trip to the beach. Decorate each stone by painting it, adding stickers, or using markers. Mix the stones up in a bag or box and use the randomly drawn stones to inspire stories. Players also can each choose one stone and build a story together.
- Keep count. Use a summer reading journal to log and rate all the books read over the summer. Keep the list on the refrigerator to keep children engaged and talking about reading.
PJ’s Summertime Bingo is a free printable game that includes dozens of great ideas — from building a sandcastle to helping cook a healthy meal to having a dance party, and yes, reading books. Visit https://pjlibrary.org/home and search “bingo.”
To sign up for a free monthly subscription for children ages 0 to 12 in the household, visit www.PJLibrary.org.
Published June 19, 2024
