Lifetime Reader

0First, we have each child pack their own backpack or travel bag.  We give helpful suggestions, but let them pick what they want to bring.  These are the sort of items they generally pack:

• A drawing book with crayons- we love Step-by-Step books or the pocket-sized drawing books from Usborne Books & More.
• Sticker book - or another type of activity book.
• Interactive book - anything with flaps
• A reading book - nonfiction, picture book, or chapter book.
• Small toys - small animal figurines, action figures, animals, or a baby doll
• Something "new" and exciting - this might be something BRAND NEW from the Target Dollar Spot, something they haven't played with in a while, or something that is reserved JUST for road trips.  For this past trip, we tried these new Window Jammers.  They are basically a selfie-stick with little vehicles so that your child can pretend their vehicle is driving on the road beside them.  They were a great tool for letting my kids' imaginations run wild.
• Plus snacks!  I usually pack a separate bag of snacks, but you could have your child pack those too.

**Disclosure: Jane.com sent me some of these products, but all opinions are my own.**

We moved into our first home about a year and a half ago.  It has been perfect for our family, with the exception of a "few" home improvement projects.  My poor husband, Justin, didn't realize what all he had signed up for when we closed on our home.  Thankfully, he's been a good sport about it!

From the get-go, one project I've been anxious to start was adding shelves to the wall niches upstairs.  The previous owners had decorative plants in them, but I felt like shelving would make it a much more functional use of space for our kids and their books.  Plus, if you've followed me on Facebook or Instagram, you'll know that I'm a sucker for reading nooks.  (Check the hashtag #bookspiration.  You'll find PLENTY from me!).

So, here it is!  It has been transformed from a boring, unused space to a functional, happy reading nook!  I wish I could give you some sort of tutorial for how to do this at your house... but, I was mainly there for moral support.  I watched a show in the same room while Justin worked.  He's so lucky to have me as his assistant!

Summer is so close, I can almost taste it! ☀️One of the biggest challenges in the summer can be keeping your kids reading! Less reading can lead to "summer slide" where kids lose some of the progress they made during the school year. We want to prevent that! Here were your fantastic tips from Facebook and Instagram:

Tiffani Vazquez Weekly trips to the library 📖


Leanne Marie Hunt While Abby attends her IEP classes to help her learn to read she misses the work they do in her regular class but they send home the papers with sight words, reading, find a words etc. I have gathered them all up so we can do them each day over the holiday so she keeps learning and to hopefully help her to not lose any words she knows and gain lots of new ones.

Chelsie McCage This is my first summer with a kid in school, so I'm kind of excited for summer! I've got fun reading games and dry erase work books for my kids this summer, and obvs my Usborne reading kit! 😉😀


Liz Olson Layton We pay our kids per book they read during the summer to earn spending money.

Nikki Davis S has a summer reading list, to prepare her for 3rd grade. The librarian has to check it off for her. She's pretty stoked to have a book challenge for the summer. We are also way excited to do the Teach Your Monster To Read. My kids played it the other day, and we want to incorporate that into their 20 mins a day.

Maren Reynolds Perkins My oldest isn't in school yet, but something that I think will motivate him to want me to read to him this summer is starting a fun new series (the longer the better!). We're working our way through the Magic Tree House series right now and he always begs for the next book as soon as we finish the previous one.

Kassie Kirkland Pitts Miss C has reading on her chore chart and reads to her baby sister every night. She's had story time every night and looks forward to it, and now she loves to read to her sister. She gets a sticker on her chore chart when she's done. I've also got worksheets for her to do and she calls them her "projects". We'll be working on her projects throughout the summer.

• mrsellenkWeekly trips to the library paired with book themed activities/field trips! It helps to keep the kiddos engaged in reading and applying it in a fun, hands-on way. 💙
• littleloveleighsI added reading to our chore chart! 😬🙈 its always the first thing done and they never complain about it because it's an easy thing to check off! (Let's be honest-I'd much rather read for 15 mins than clean my room! 😂)
• kcmechamOur local library here in Lehi has a fun summer reading program we always enjoy participating in that helps keep us reading!!! Last year it was a bingo. I've also done a book scavenger hunt before where you have to read certain types of books. Some examples would be a book with a green dinner, one with Girl in the title, a biography, etc.
• emmad1023Library summer reading challenge! Making a list of chapter books to read-aloud with a treat after each book :)
• lizardbrethpaperWe are still basically in the read-aloud phase, so it's up to me!
• lauriejandersonLibrary summer programs. Also, creating a summer book bucket lists.
• vickiefallonJust getting new books to read always get my kids excited!
• becomingthreadsThis is such a great reminder! I feel like our reading has already started to slide with the warmer weather outside.
• jaymimatrangaGoing to the library and reading aloud every day!!
• cmui27Library reading program and letting them read outside on a picnic blanket!
• tessames54Library baby!! When my kids see me read they are more interested in reading along with me! Gotta set that good example 📚
• gwenmrossMy little boy lives for fun snacks!! Sometimes we do read-a-thons with comfy blankets and fun snacks. He loves it!
• lisamnelsBooks before screen time! I have found that lots of times the TV is forgotten about.
• laurenwaldramI always try to start out the day by reading a few books.
• michelledesjarlaisThe library programs are always fun and we always take time at night to read. It's been our routine for years.
• wholelovelylifeMy biggest tip for this working Mom is being sure to start our nighttime routine a little earlier to make sure we get in at least one book before bed.
• carlyallredstudioGot super lucky in that my kiddos LOVE to read. I've literally never hounded them about it...but I've also never dictated exactly WHAT they read (within reason, of course). It's working over here! 🤷🏼‍♀️
• jenniferniftyWe read all year round to keep learning!
• kdbsmilesWe take a lot more trips to the library in the summer because getting new books always makes them want to read more. I have sticker charts for reading too so they can earn fun outings, screen time or treats/toys for reading!

Can I tell you how much we love these books?  They are full of alliterations, have thick board pages, and make funny stories and pictures when you mix them up!

Here's a peek inside Muddle & Match Monsters!  Get yours here.

We could all use a change of scenery every now and then... even with reading! The weather is PERFECT this afternoon, so we're enjoying story time outside today. I'm secretly dreaming we were reading at the beach,but the backyard will have to do! Where do you love to read?

Take an inside peek of one of my favorite books for toddlers/preschoolers! It's a beginning spotting book that ask questions about objects, colors, and counting. It has a few holes to reveal pictures from the next page. It has thick, board pages, which is always a good idea for toddlers!

With food, we "eat with our eyes." Books are no different. If we want to raise readers, we want to make books "delicious," inviting, and colorful! 

Where are your kids going to be today? Set out some books they haven't read in a while at a place they'll notice them. It might just catch their eye!

I love to set books out with their after school snack or in my car if I know we'll be running errands. 

Where's a new place you can set books out at your house today?

Today is a good one for all you book lovers and adult-coloring-book addicts! This book has 24 pull-out posters for you to color with quotes from classic books!  Check out this beautiful new book!

A finished page by Kellie Mecham

This looks like a pretty perfect Easter basket to me! 🐥🥚 Picture (& darling bow ties!) from @littleloveleighs.