Smart Summer Reading Tips for Busy Parents

A mother reads a book with her son

Just as daily exercise keeps our bodies healthy and strong, regular reading keeps our brains active and growing, especially during the summer months when school is out. Children who don’t read regularly over the summer can lose up to two months of reading development, a phenomenon known as the “summer slide.” This cumulative loss can make each new school year more challenging, especially for kids already struggling with literacy.

Fortunately, helping your child avoid the summer slide doesn’t require worksheets or test prep. The key is to make reading enjoyable, consistent, and part of your family’s summer rhythm. To help, Andrew Carlson, MD, Division Head of Primary Care, offers these expert strategies. 

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Choosing the Right Reading Materials

There’s no single “right” book for summer. A child who’s laughing through a joke book or absorbed in a graphic novel is still reading—and that matters.

Suggestions:

  • For early readers: Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems, Bob Books, or Pete the Cat books
  • For middle-grade readers: Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
  • For teens: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Empower them to choose

Children are more motivated when they choose their reading material. Give them a budget for the bookstore, browse library shelves together, or explore e-book options on a tablet. When possible, say yes to their choices—even if they pick something silly or short.

Explore your library (and beyond!)

Your local library likely offers:

  • Summer reading challenges with prizes
  • Curated reading lists by age group
  • Digital borrowing through apps like Libby or Hoopla
  • Free Wi-Fi, cozy reading nooks, and teen spaces 

Don’t forget nearby Little Free Libraries and book exchanges in parks or schools.

Audiobooks count, too.

Audiobooks are ideal for car rides, quiet time, or reluctant readers. They help build listening skills, vocabulary, and comprehension. Where to find them:

  • Library apps: Libby, OverDrive
  • Audible’s free selections for kids
  • Spotify (look under “Stories”)

Pair listening with an activity: drawing, building LEGO, or swinging in a hammock

Magazines and newspapers offer short, engaging reads

For readers who prefer shorter formats, consider:

  • National Geographic Kids
  • Highlights or Spider magazine
  • The Week Junior
  • Comics from Marvel or DC

Ask your child to tell you what they read—it helps build retention and sparks great conversations.

Start early with babies and toddlers.

Even newborns benefit from hearing stories. Reading aloud boosts bonding, language development, and early literacy. For the youngest readers:

  • Choose board books with high-contrast images
  • Try sensory books with textures and flaps
  • Sing or chant along with rhyming books

Titles to try: Goodnight Moon, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Touch and Feel: Animals, Hello, World! series

 

 

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When possible, say yes to their [reading] choices—even if they pick something silly or short.

Andrew Carlson, MD, Division Head of Primary Care,
Connecticut Children's

Building Reading Habits That Stick

Set a daily reading routine.

Like brushing teeth or eating dinner, reading thrives when it becomes a habit. Choose a consistent time each day—such as after breakfast, before bed, or during a quiet
afternoon break. 

Start with 15 minutes and gradually increase the time. Make it a special time with a comfy blanket, soft lighting, or a favorite snack.

Read together

Kids often enjoy being read to long after they can read independently. Shared reading builds fluency and comprehension—and strengthens relationships.

  • Let them read aloud to you, a sibling, or a pet.
  • Take turns reading pages or characters.
  • Discuss what you read together.

For older children, consider starting a family book club. Choose a book, set reading goals, and hold casual “meetings” to talk about characters, themes, or favorite parts.

Make it fun and flexible.

  • Create a “reading nook” with pillows and books.
  • Use a reading timer or sticker chart to track progress.
  • Bring books on picnics, road trips, or to the pool.

Use rewards with intention.

For hesitant readers, pair reading with positive reinforcement:

  • “Read for 20 minutes, then pick the movie tonight.”
  • Earn tokens for a larger prize, such as a trip to the bookstore or extra screen
    time.
  • Celebrate milestones with small treats or certificates.

Be sure to praise effort over outcome: “I love how you kept reading even when that word was tricky!"

Tie reading to real-life experiences.

Help your child make connections between books and the world around them:

  • Visit a farm after reading Click, Clack, Moo
  • Read Magic Tree House: Dolphins at Daybreak before going to the aquarium
  • Check out a space book after watching a meteor shower

These connections make reading feel relevant and memorable.

 

For Teens: Making Reading Feel Personal

Teen readers often crave independence and relevance. Help them find books that speak to their interests, identities, and questions about the world.

Give them space—but offer suggestions.

Instead of assigning books, present options based on what they already enjoy:

  • Fantasy/sci-fi fans: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, Scythe by Neal Shusterman
  • Romance readers: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
  • Sports lovers: Ghost by Jason Reynolds, Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
  • Social justice themes: Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi, We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Make use of technology.

  • Encourage book-tracking apps like Goodreads.
  • Allow access to Kindle Unlimited or library apps.

Let them write

Teens can deepen engagement by:

  • Keeping a summer reading journal
  • Writing fan fiction or poetry
  • Starting a blog or an Instagram account for book reviews 

Finally, strive for consistency above all else.

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: Consistency matters more than content. Whether your child is diving into a chapter book or paging through a joke collection, every minute spent reading builds vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence.

Make books visible and accessible, keep the tone low-pressure, and read alongside them when you can. With your support, your child can head back to school not only prepared but perhaps with a more profound love of reading than ever before.

And here are some helpful reading resources: