Summer reading! The adventures begin...

I mentioned to you recently that my son has "taken off" on a reading adventure. In fact, since that post we've read 17 books! So, what's a mom to do to help cut down on costs while encouraging their reading addiction?

First of all, don't forget about your local library. Ours hasn't really posted info about the program yet, but many libraries have teamed up with the community to offer passes to local attractions, discounts for movies, or special events. While browsing, I found out that Wisconsin  has a great looking summer planned, they even have a formal Adult reading plan!

Second several nationwide bookstore chains are gearing up for summer reading as well. I know that Borders/Waldenbooks has a program where the kids can read 10 books, turn in their logs, and choose a book from a select list of titles to take home for FREE! Barnes & Noble has a similar program where kids read 8 books, write a short sentence of who else they would recommend read the title and why, then pick a free title. Half Price Books has you log your time then, at the end of the season if your kids have read more than 600 minutes they get a coupon for $5 off a book purchase.

Chuck E Cheese has downloadable rewards calendars for many different activities ( I mean who wouldn't want to clean their room, be a good listener, or stop picking their nose?). But, they do have one for reading for 15 minutes each night. If they do that every night for 2 weeks, they can take the calendar to Chuck E Cheese for 10 free tokens.

National Amusements (aka Showcase Cinemas) has a Bookworm Wednesday program over the summer. The kids can read a book, write a book report on the downloaded form, then present it to a participating theater (be sure to check the list at the link since not all locations participate) for a free movie on Wednesday morning. The best part? Adults and siblings under 5 (who aren't eligible by age to participate) get into the same movie for free without writing a report, yippee!

Scholastic also has a summer reading program (you knew they had to, LOL!) Kids log their minutes each week, get free digital downloads with certain goals, and then can compete for the Scholastic records and earn points for their schools.

I know some of the fast food places in town usually have summer reading specials as well. I haven't seen details for 2011 yet, but will update as I get more info.

So, how about it? Any tips, tricks, or wonderful programs you'd like to share?

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all the mothers out there have a wonderful day! I just wanted to pop on and share a few images that make this mommy's heart warm and fuzzy...


My son offered to brush his sister's hair so she didn't have to stop playing her Leapster game yesterday morning while we were getting up and ready for the day. The funny thing...she was playing her Disney Tangled cartridge, LOL! She never cried or fussed while he did it, which is usually less drama than I have during a hair brushing session. I know, maybe I should sing while I do it...


Then, it was off to the library. My son came home with a prized book borrowed from his 1st grade teacher's private shelf. After he devoured it Friday evening, we were off to see if we could find more books in this wonderful series. We came home Saturday AM with the first 4 books, which he had completed by Saturday evening.

I did have to go back to the library that afternoon (because I forgot to "unlock" the DVD case for the movie I checked out for my daughter), and snuck out another 4 books for my son. Here's the pic from this AM, I couldn't even get him to change from jammies before he was asking if there was more he could read.


Now, if you'd have asked me three months ago...we were fighting to get him to read even 5 pages from his "Book in a bag" that he brought home each week from school. I am so pleased to see the change in his reading attitude recently. So, what books are they that turned my 1st grade reader from, pbbbssst... to YEAH!???


Thankfully there are 40 books in the series, which may get us until summer break starts...then what?

BTW, thanks for the words of encouragement on the last blog post. I certainly feel a "boost".