Read Aloud America

One of the best things about books is finding the ways they connect to real life!

Summertime is a great time to role model making these connections for your kiddos.

Try these extension activities that will enhance the stories you read and help your kids discover real life examples of stories all around them!

⭐️ Scavenger Hunts: make a list of items from a story and hunt for them at home or outside
⭐️ Character Bingo: make a bingo game of every character you've read about in a book so far this summer.
⭐️ Real-Life Site Visits: visit a place you read about in a story. Is it different than you imagined?
⭐️ Creative Comics: print out a comic book template and create a short comic story featuring your favorite storybook character
⭐️ Story Telephone: gather with friends and invent a story. Each person can add a new sentence or two before saying "And then...." to bring in the next person.
⭐️ Baking Bonanza: bake a recipe that's featured in one of your summer reading books! (Hint: sometimes the recipe is IN the book!)

Did you know?
These and other activities can be found in our summer reading program, Capes, Wings, and Flying Things! Download for free now: https://readaloudamerica.org/summer-reading-program/

Let your kids read outside - and experience the benefits!

Beyond the amazing benefits of reading for pleasure, reading OUTSIDE for pleasure does even more wonderful things for your kiddos!

When kids read on a park bench, hammock, or simply your backyard, this is what they'll experience:

1. Fresh air, vitamin D, and sounds of birds are proven to improve mood.

2. When kids are immersed in nature they become curious about their surroundings and grow a desire to explore more.

3. Reading within a natural surrounding is known to increase attention spans, build concentration, and stimulate brain activity.

4. When your kids read outside, you will notice that they become more interested in and engaged with other activities or people.

5. Spending time outdoors doing something good for the brain has been shown to promote a more restful sleep at night.

Follow for more tips!

You might not have heard of this...

But a reading nook doesn't have to be only inside! While cozy chairs and comfy spaces inside are indeed wonderful spots to read, summer gives you a great opportunity to combine two powerful forces:

☀️ Nature
📖 Story

Try an outdoor reading nook, and see how your kids get inspired!

What makes a great summer read?

📚 Adventure
📚 Inspiration
📚 Courage
📚 Exploration
📚 Achievement

And guess what? All of these things are found in these top 5 books for summer!

Plus, they're just a glimpse of what's recommended in our summer reading program, great for kids ages 2-10! Download for free here:



https://readaloudamerica.org/summer-reading-program/

It's never too late to start your summer reading adventure!

Download our free 2024 summer reading program today!

30 pages jam-packed with:

-Book lists for all ages
-Enrichment crafts and activities
-Reading tips for parents

And so much more!

Download for free now: https://readaloudamerica.org/summer-reading-program/

Let freedom ring! Happy Independence Day!

Enjoy this time with your family!

What is your favorite part about opening a book?

The smell?

The feel?

The sound?

So much about that simple action brings about a sensory experience that relaxes our minds, bonds us with our kids, and invites us to escape into the pages.

Double-tap if you agree!

Books on a Budget...

Have you ever participated a book swap? These are an excellent way to get books into the hands of kids without spending a fortune.

For decades, we held a Book Swap table at our popular Read Aloud Programs - so, we're sort of experts in the process! And, we're here to share some tips!

To get a Book Swap started in your neighborhood, school, library, or community center, try these steps!

📚 Publicize your requests with flyers, social media posts, and email chains
📚 Ask for "gently used" books to "seed" the table
📚 Designate a drop-off location and date range
📚 Sort through donations and w**d out broken, tattered books
📚 Organize a table(s) according to genre and/or age range to create a foundation supply of great books
📚 Designate a day and time (limited or ongoing) where people can "bring a book, and take a book"

Your Book Swap will help inspire lifetime readers without costing anyone a dime!

Celebrate the joy of reading with a trip to the library!

Libraries aren't just buildings; they're portals to adventure, imagination, and endless possibilities for our little ones.

Help your children experience everything the library has to offer - visit the library once per week!

Anatomy of a read-aloud...

We love this photo because it perfectly captures a great read aloud role model!

Inside one of our read aloud rooms, a volunteer reads aloud from a children's classic, The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown.

What makes this photo great?

She's pointing to the picture as she reads
The children are leaned forward, engaged with the story
The stack of books in the reader's lap indicates there's a lot more to come!

We wonder... what story came next?

"Which book do you want?"

At one of our celebrated Read Aloud Programs, a young boy experiences the magic of standing in front of our Book Tower - and choosing a brand new book all for himself!

Can you imagine the feeling of the crisp pages?
The new-book smell that greeted him when he first opened it?
The story that inspired him?

We sure can... we got to see this experience thousands of times over the years!

For us, it came to be known as The Power of Story...

Summer is Here! Download your free summer reading program today!

Jam-packed with reading fun, Capes, Wings and Flying things is your ultimate adventure through stories of heroes, exploration, inventions , bravery, and more!

First 25 downloads get a free printed copy and a $100 Gift Card to Barnes and Noble!

Download for free today!
https://readaloudamerica.org/summer-reading-program/

Here are 5 tips to make the most out of your library visits with kids:

Explore Together: Encourage kids to browse different sections and types/styles of books. Let them follow their interests!

Attend Storytime: Check out your library's schedule for engaging story sessions. It's a fun way to foster a love for books.

Utilize Resources: From e-books to audiobooks, libraries offer a treasure trove of resources. Take advantage of them!

Get Creative: Look for crafting or art activities at the library. It's not just about books; it's about sparking imagination.

Develop a Habit: Make library visits a regular part of your routine. Establishing a reading habit early is key to lifelong learning.

Share this post to spread the love of reading!

Have you downloaded your free summer reading program yet?

Capes Wings and Flying Things packs fun and adventure into your summer reading experience!

Plus, the first 25 to download the summer reading program will receive a gorgeous free printed copy and a $100 gift card to Barnes and Noble! No strings attached!

What are you waiting for? Download your copy today!

https://readaloudamerica.org/summer-reading-program/

Hot off the presses! Our 2024 summer reading program, Capes Wings and Flying Things, is available for free download! Plus, the first 25 to download will get a free printed copy and a $100 gift card to Barnes and Noble! Don't wait! Act fast!

https://readaloudamerica.org/summer-reading-program/

Breaking News!

The 2024 Summer Reading Program is OFFICIALLY out! Don't wait - head to https://readaloudamerica.org/summer-reading-program/ now to download your fun-filled, adventure-packed summer reading program, Capes, Wings, and Flying Things, now!

You'll find:
👉🏼 Weekly themes
👉🏼 Book lists
👉🏼 Indoor and outdoor activities
👉🏼 Printables

And more!

PLUS!

Thanks to generous support from Aloha Graphics and Barnes and Noble, the first 25 people to download the free program will also receive a gorgeous printed copy and a $100 gift card to Barnes and Noble!

What are you waiting for? Download now!

Summer Reading Program - Read Aloud America Take an adventure this summer! Download our 2024 Summer Reading Program, Capes, Wings, and Flying Things!

Whether they're exploring new adventures or discovering fascinating facts, these reads are sure to captivate young minds.

📕"The Princess in Black" series by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale: Perfect for young readers who love princesses and superheroes, this series combines action and humor.

📕 "Dog Man" series by Dav Pilkey: Join the hilarious and heroic adventures of Dog Man, the half-dog, half-human cop who's always ready to save the day!

📕 "Ivy and Bean" series by Annie Barrows: Follow the misadventures of two unlikely friends as they navigate friendship and imagination.

Check them out at your local library today! 📖

Will you help us reach our goal?

Your support in helping us reach our $10,000 goal will power our efforts to:

📚Get new books into the hands of children
🔧Support Parents with valuable resources
💖Build families of lifetime readers

Join our corporate sponsors AlohaGraphics and Barnesandnoble who have delivered over $2,500 worth of book gift cards and parent resources!

Give today!
www.readaloudamerica.org/support

Will you help us restore the FUN of reading in homes across the nation?

Support Read Aloud America’s “Fun”draiser now! Your support will help us:

📚Increase families’ access to books
🔧Create tools and resources
🥳Inspire a joy of reading in families across the nation

Join our corporate sponsors, Aloha Graphics and Barnes & Noble, whose generous support is helping us provide summer reading resources to families and offset the cost of new books.

Our goal is $10,000.

Will you help us reach the finish line?

www.readaloudamerica.org/support or donate here

Did you know that the simple act of reading aloud to children can prepare them for success in school and in life?
That’s right - it’s not tests. It’s not quizzes. It’s not lengthy lectures or wearisome worksheets!
Celebrate the fun of reading aloud by helping us connect families to wonderful books and access resources to grow through reading.

To honor a week dedicated to the FUN of reading, Read Aloud America’s “Fun”draiser is raising $10,000 to help us:

create new, valuable reading resources
prepare inspiring reading tools that offset summer learning loss
support families’ efforts to raise lifetime readers

We are thankful to Aloha Graphics and Barnes and Noble for helping us increase families’ access to quality resources and books! By providing gift cards for books and printed copies of a forthcoming summer reading guide, your support will help us deepen families’ appreciation for books and offset costs of purchasing new books!

Celebrate Reading Is Fun Week with a gift to Read Aloud America today!

Www.readaloudamerica.org/support

Think back: who was your inspiration?

Your mother?

Your father?

Your teacher?

Your friend?
Tag this person in the comments, and show appreciation for their inspiration!

Want to take it a step further? Help us inspire more readers with a gift to Read Aloud America.

You have the power to make a big difference in families lives! Help us build families of lifetime readers, now, during reading is fun week!

This week, we aim to raise $10,000 to help us increase families access to books and reading resources.

With support from Aloha Graphics and Barnes and Noble, your support will help us:
Develop valuable summer reading resources for families.
Deliver beautiful, quality resources to families.
Offset the cost of new books for families.
Advance, our mission of building families of lifetime readers.

Aloha Graphics and Barnes and Noble are providing in-kind and monetary support in the form of book gift cards and printed copies of a fourth coming summer reading guide!

Will you help us reach our $10,000 goal?

Mom, your child's future grows from the seeds you plant and the roots you nourish.

The role you play is indispensable.

The influence you have is immeasurable.

One of the most crucial places that Moms around the world play their role and deliver positive influence is behind the pages of an open book.

When you open a book with your child, you reap incredible rewards that prepare your child for a successful future, rewards like:

❤️ strong mother-child bond
❤️ trusting relationship
❤️ clear communication
❤️ greater understanding of the world
❤️ increased empathy
❤️ increased vocabulary
❤️ greater ability to read confidently
❤️ greater interest in books and reading

In fact, Mom, YOUR literacy level is one of the most significant predictors of your child's literacy level.

Will you help us help other mothers?

Mother's Day officially kicks off Reading Is Fun Week. We aim to raise $10,000 to advance our efforts that support mothers and families in their effort to cultivate reading-is-fun-friendly homes. Your gift will help us increase families' access to books and read aloud resource. Your gift will help us help mothers pave the way for their children.

Just like you did for yours.

Great Books = Special Memories!

Take a trip down memory lane...

We'd love to know your most favorite book to listen to as a child.

Drop a comment and let us know!

May 12-18 is Reading Is Fun Week!

Help us celebrate the joy of reading and ignite a passion for literacy in every home by supporting Read Aloud America's "Fun"draiser during Reading Is Fun Week!

Hit follow so you don't miss:
Excellent book ideas for all ages
Opportunities to share your favorite moments
Chances to honor the one who first read to you
Excellent advice
Inspiration and Joy!

Our thanks to Aloha Graphics and Barnes and Noble for supporting Reading Is Fun Week at Read Aloud America!

Follow Today!

Next week is the most exciting week of the year!

It's Reading Is Fun Week!

At Read Aloud America, we LOVE Reading is Fun Week, because it's our chance to inspire families around the nation to let go of challenges, test scores, and reading levels, and return to what MATTERS:

Reading Is Fun!!

Next week, join us in celebrating the joy of reading during Reading Is Fun Week, May 12-18!

Hot follow so you won't miss the fun!

If we want the childhood literacy crisis to change, we've got to get back to the basics!

Simply reading aloud to kids from birth can change everything, and it's up to you and us to flip the script on these numbers!

We must support parents' efforts to access books and read aloud to their kids every day. Doing so makes reading a joyful tradition and sets up kids for success!

Together, we can:

deliver quality reading resources to parents
connect kids and parents to quality books
transform hearts and minds to embrace reading aloud as fun, not a chore!

Help us raise awareness of this important issue!

Share this in your stories!

Many parents ask us how they can overcome their kids' resistance to reading. The answer is: don't force it, and make it fun!

Here are 5 tips to help make it easier - and fun for everyone!

⏰Schedule a regular reading time to make it a habit.

🔄Sneak in reading during everyday stuff. ‘Stack’ the habit by finding an existing daily routine you already have (bedtime, breakfast, you name it!) and adding reading to the mix.

🚫Find a cozy corner with minimal interruptions for your reading haven.

📚Mix it up! Be open to different stories, characters, and worlds.

🎉Small victories count! Create mini milestones and let your littles get excited about their progress.
Save this post to help with those ‘struggle days!’