Read Across America Day Inspires Us To Read Every Day!
From The Cat in the Hat to Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, every American child has grown up with the silly and beloved rhymes of Dr. Seuss. Each year in March we celebrate this wonderful writer’s birthday with Read Across America Day. Here at Frogbridge, we foster children’s life-long love of reading, and believe that it should be appreciated all days of the year, not just on one special day. We encourage the parents of our campers to continue the practice at home, reading with their children each night. Studies show that reading with your children not only improves the bond between parent and child, but also supports cognitive development, language skills, and prepares them for academic success. When children read, they are taken on a magical adventure that excites their imaginations, and also teaches them valuable life lessons in ways they can understand. Books may be giving way to tablets and screens, but the importance of reading stories is still more important than ever.
Need inspiration for your next bedtime story? Here is a quick list of favorite books, perfect for your child’s age:
Preschoolers
1. CAPS FOR SALE, BY ESPHYR SLOBODKINA
This tale of a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys is filled with warmth, humor, and simplicity and also teaches children about problem and resolution.
2. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, BY MAURICE SENDAK
One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him ‘Wild Thing’ and sends him to bed without his supper. That night a forest begins to grow in Max’s room and an ocean rushes by with a boat to take Max to the place where the wild things are. Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king, and then the wild rumpus begins. But when Max has sent the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet, he starts to feel lonely and realizes it is time to sail home to the place where someone loves him best of all.
3. SWIMMY, BY LEO LIONNI
Deep in the sea lives a happy school of fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding…until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and teamwork—they can overcome any danger.
Kindergarten & First Grade
1. THE COMPLETE TALES AND POEMS OF WINNIE-THE-POOH, BY A.A. MILNE, ERNEST H. SHEPHARD (Illustrator)
From the energetic Tigger to the dismal Eeyore, A. A. Milne created a charming bunch, both entertaining and inspirational. These simple creatures often reflected a small piece of all of us: humble, silly, wise, cautious, creative, and full of life.
2. CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, BY ROALD DAHL
Charlie Bucket’s wonderful adventure begins when he finds one of Mr. Willy Wonka’s precious Golden Tickets and wins a whole day inside the mysterious chocolate factory. Little does he know the surprises that are in store for him! A classic morality tale!
3. WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS, BY SHEL SILVERSTEIN
This classic poetry collection, which is both outrageously funny and profound, has been the most beloved of Shel Silverstein’s poetry books for generations.
Elementary Kids
1. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE, BY J.K. ROWLING
Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.
2. I AM MALALA: HOW ONE GIRL STOOD UP FOR EDUCATION AND CHANGED THE WORLD, BY MALALA YOUSAFZAI
I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls’ education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.
3. WONDER, BY J.R. PALACIO
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
These are just a few suggestions for you and your child to enjoy. Want more ideas? Check out this Goodreads list: The Must-Have Series for Children Ages 6 to 12
Most of our camp counselors are professional teachers, meaning that they understand the value of reading and proper childcare.
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