Summer Reading Safari with PBS Kids

by Micaela Williamson

When PBS KIDS asked if I wanted to host a summer reading party for 25 kids, I hopped at the opportunity. As an early childhood educator, I love to promote literacy.  This summer, PBS KIDS is encouraging families to learn together with its “Summer Safari” initiative.  PBS KIDS’ Summer Safari includes specials and new episodes from DINOSAUR TRAIN, WILD KRATTS, CURIOUS GEORGE and WORDGIRL, free digital tools for parents and kids, and partnerships with AARP Foundation Experience Corps, I Can Read books published by Harper Collins Children’s Books, Reading Is Fundamental and National PTA that bring learning activities directly to communities.

“Research shows that it is critical to support children’s learning during the summer months to help prevent learning loss while they are out of school,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Media, PBS. “PBS KIDS and our member stations are committed to making summer a fun and enriching time for all kids. Through this year’s Summer Safari programming, national partnerships and community activities, we will provide free PBS KIDS resources to families, helping them learn and explore during the summer months.”

To get our party started, we set out all the supplies: Harper Collins I Can Read Books, PBS Kids activity packets/fun books, Wild Kratts bookmarks, reading charts and certificates.  Since the theme was "Summer Safari," we decided on using animal print decorations.  I also love how these PBS Kids summer fun books are easy to stick my purse and provide educational activities and entertainment that we can use in waiting rooms, restaurants, or anytime we're on the go this summer. 

My family has long been fans of the Harper Collins I Can Read Books, specifically geared towards young readers.  There are hundreds of titles with classic stories like Little Bear or the Josefina Story Quilt, beloved characters such as the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Pinkalicious, Splat the Cat and even books based on kids' favorite films.  There are also many high interest "I Can Read Books" for children, like my rising third grader, who are already proficient and independent readers.  We paired each child with a book to match his/her age and interest level. The children were so excited about the new books that many of them started to read them before they even went home!

At our party, we paired promoting reading with outdoor summer fun, and the kids had a blast with outdoor water play, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk.  Of course there was food too.  Check out these adorable Summer Safari animal print cookies by my local favorite J&J Bakeshop. 

Many of the materials I discussed in this post are available online for free. Here are some ideas:

• July Summer Safari Activity Book and August Summer Safari Activity Book: We love these books because they are filled with open-ended activities featuring favorite PBS Kids characters. Whether your child is drawing stick people or writing paragraphs, the activities are easily adaptable to many levels.
  
  
• Harper Collins I can Readathon Printable Materials:  Visit this site to print out:

1. My Reading Journal: Kids can track their progress and chart titles of books they read.
   
2. Activity Booklet: Includes How to Host an I Can Readathon, coloring, connect the dots, calendar reading log, and more.
3. Certificate:  A colorful certificate to print and sign after reading every day for the I Can Readathon!

•  PBS Parents BookFinder:  I did not even know this existed! Parents can search by theme, grade level and reading ability and get dozens of wonderful book suggestions.  I already used this tool and found a bunch of new books (and some ones that I forgot existed) to check out of the library next week.

• Reading is Fundamental 2015 Multicultural Book List:  This is a great list of multicultural books for grades K-5.

For more information, Click on the PBS KIDS SUMMER SAFARI image below:

Special thanks to PBS Kids for providing the promotional materials and a Target gift card to get party supplies (food, drinks, and papergoods) for this party. Also a big thank you to Harper Collins for gifting 25 new "I Can Read Books" to send home with each child.  No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.  I am a PBS Kids VIP Ambassador.