By Charity Cantlie and Jennifer Gibson-Millis
“Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them.”
Judy Blume
Summer is a time for rest, play, and family connection. Reading can be a natural and enjoyable part of that balance. According to Reading Rockets, students who continue reading over the summer are more likely to maintain literacy skills and feel prepared for the new school year.
As librarians, we also know that reading for enjoyment supports much more than academic growth. Reading can help children build empathy, discover new perspectives, expand vocabulary, reduce stress, and connect with others. Research shared by the Yale School of Medicine highlights the positive impact storytelling and reading can have on children’s overall well-being.
Children are more likely to keep reading when they are able to choose books that interest them. Whether it is graphic novels, fantasy series, sports magazines, manga, nonfiction, cookbooks, audiobooks, or stories connected to their identities and interests, choice helps children develop a meaningful and lasting relationship with reading. Organizations such as Canadian School Libraries continue to emphasize that summer reading should center on joy and lifelong engagement with books.
How Can Families Make It Happen?
Summer reading does not need to feel complicated or highly structured. Small reading moments throughout the day can make a meaningful difference. Here are a few ideas from our YIS librarians:
- Encourage children to choose reading materials that interest them.
- Read together and talk about stories, ideas, or even current events in the news. Conversations sparked by reading often lead to meaningful family connections.
- Visit a bookstore or your local or home country library and explore summer reading opportunities in your community.
- Keep reading relaxed and connected to everyday routines, such as a chapter before bed, an audiobook during travel, or a magazine by the pool or beach.
- Explore different formats through our YIS Wheelers ebook and audiobook collection, available to students through their YIS Google login. Audiobooks and ebooks can be especially supportive for multilingual readers and busy summer schedules.
Our YIS Library will remain open until June 19 and will reopen when school begins again in August.
What About Multilingual Families?
Reading in any language supports literacy development. Families are encouraged to read, tell stories, and talk together in whichever language feels most comfortable at home.
For multilingual families, reading in a home language helps children strengthen identity, vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence across languages.
Upcoming PTSA Summer Reading Event
Parents are warmly invited to our K–12 PTSA Summer Reading Event on May 27 from 8:30–10:00 a.m. in the Cafeteria.
Join us for a conversation about supporting children’s reading lives over the summer, including:
- practical ways to build reading into family routines
- multilingual reading opportunities and recommendations
- support for EAL readers
- ideas for creating joyful reading memories at home
Our ES, MS, and HS Library Councils will also share their service projects and favorite reading tips for families.
We hope to see you there.