Easy Summer Party Ideas You Can Pull Off

by Susie ForesmanJune 2, 2021

Summer just might be our favorite time of the year for parties, and for good reason—the theme possibilities are endless! We’ve rounded up our favorite summer party themes that are just as fun as they are easy to pull off. With a little help from Amazon Prime (plus items you’ve probably already got hanging around the house), these parties are sure to be a hit. Read on to get the scoop.

Glow-in-the-Dark Party

This party might be the coolest reason to keep your kids up after dark. Break out the glow sticks and spend the evening playing glow-in-the-dark games, from a light-up egg hunt to ultraviolet hopscotch. Click here to plan the perfect summer night.

4th of July Party

No summer is complete without a proper 4th of July bash! We’ve got the rundown on how to throw a patriotic party that guests of all ages will love. To get all the details, click here.

Ice Cream Party

Sweeten up an afternoon with a simple ice cream sundae party. Have each guest bring a different topping and let the kids get creative building the dessert of their dreams. Click here for sundae inspiration, plus a few hacks to make the party even easier.

Outdoor Movie Night

Instead of going for overpriced movie tickets (or Netflix on the couch), switch things up by hosting an epic outdoor movie night. From cozy seating arrangements to picture-perfect decor and snacks, we’ve got the scoop on how to make it happen. Click here to get the deets.

Pool Party

If you’ve got a pool, now is the time to put it to use! We’ve got plenty of tips and tricks for you on how to throw the most amazing pool party, complete with kid-approved games, themed snacks and fabulous favors. Click here for all the info.

Picnic Party

Break out the gingham blankets and head to the park (or your backyard) for a sun-soaked picnic party. Click here for our flawless food and decor ideas (think deviled eggs and festive party hats), and click here for a bunch of outdoor games that kids of all ages will love.

Water Party

Get through the dog days of summer by throwing a splash-worthy water party. Stock up on ice cream, tell everyone to wear swimsuits and play some of our favorite water games, from sponge ball relays to water balloon basketball. Click here to get all the details.

Block Party

Get to know your neighbors better by hosting a simple yet festive block party. Hop over to Crazy Organized for a quick guide on everything you’ll need for the party, from when to schedule it to how to make cleaning up afterward as easy as possible.

Summer Reading Party

Your little bookworms will have a blast throwing a summer reading party, especially when you pack it with fun activities like book bingo, trivia games and a book swap. Click here to read up on how it’s done, courtesy of Nerdy Book Club.

Field Day Party

A great party doesn’t have to be fussy or elaborate! Get your kids playing and laughing with a field day party—we’ve got a roundup of our favorite classic yard games to get you started. Click here to let the fun begin.

—Susie Foresman

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Here’s How Kids Can Earn Free Books from Barnes & Noble This Summer

by Shahrzad WarkentinMay 14, 2021

Looking for a fun way to keep your kids excited about reading this summer? How about free books!

When you sign your young readers up at Barnes & Noble you can spend the whole summer reading––and earn some free books to tuck them in at bedtime when school starts again. So how does it work?

photo: iStock

When students in grades one through six read eight books over the summer and complete a reading journal, they can earn a free book at Barnes & Noble. All you need to do is download the journal here and print it.

Then, complete the information requested and have your kids log the books they’ve read over the summer. Turn in the journal at any Barnes & Noble location between July. 1 and Aug. 31, 2021.

Once completed, kids are able to choose from a pre-set list of free books grouped by grade level. The list includes titles like Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer and Because of Winn-Dixie.

The Barnes & Noble reading program website also offers suggested reading lists if your kids need some ideas on what to read.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Feature photo: JHVEPhoto via iStock

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Here’s How Your Kiddo Can Sign Up for the Free Scholastic Summer Reading Program

by Erica LoopApril 26, 2021

Even though it’s still spring, the Scholastic Summer Reading program is kicking off right now! Your kiddo can participate in the fully digital program today through Friday, Sep. 3, 2021—and it’s completely free.

Simply create an account of Scholastic Home Base and your little literacy lover can start their summer reading list. The 24/7 moderated digital destination gives kids the chance to read free e-books, attend virtual author events and so much more.

photo courtesy of Scholastic

After creating an account, your child will can access select e-books for free. These include family-friendly faves such as Goosebumps and I Survived along with read-aloud videos featuring The Word Collector, Train and The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet.

Scholastic Reading Club account members can also join virtual author events every Thurs. from May 6 through Aug. 26 at 3:00 ET. The events are hosted by summer reading ambassadors and award-winning authors Sayantani DasGupta (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond), Varian Johnson (Twins, The Great Greene Heist), Ann M. Martin (The Baby-Sitters Club series), and Kelly Yang (Front Desk).

Along with free e-books and virtual author-led events, the Scholastic Summer Reading program will also give your child the chance to help unlock a donation of 100,000 books! Each day your child checks into the Summer Zone online, they’ll create a Reading Streak. Your child’s continued reading efforts can earn them virtual items, trophies and in-game tokens. It can also help Scholastic to unlock a donation for 100,000 books to communities throughout the country through Save the Children.

—Erica Loop

Feature photo: Stephanie Yaich via Unsplash

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By Vidya Tiru

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

October 5, 2020

Photo: Dexter Fernandes on Unsplash

October is TeenTober. According to the American Library Association, this celebration “aims to celebrate teens, promote year-round teen services and the innovative ways teen services helps teens learn new skills, and fuel their passions in and outside the library, allowing libraries the flexibility to celebrate all types of literacies.” I love that we have this resource to encourage our teens, but we need to do our part too. So here are some tips to motivate your teen to read.

1. Be a Role Model. Let them see you with a book—be it for learning, work, or for the pure pleasure of it. Let them see you reap the benefits of every kind of reading. Share what you learned or what you loved about the books you read.

2. Read with Them. Maybe it could be a family book-club kind of thing. Pick a book—look for popular teen and YA reads—and read it along with them; you could act out parts as you read aloud! Share your opinions.

3. Read to Them. You are never too old to be read to—so read to them, or better still, have them read to you. I know I enjoy it myself; so read to each other whether it’s an essay or a poem or a joke.

My daughter and I spent some part of the summer reading Little Women to and with each other. She was Amy and Beth and Laurie, I was Marmie, and Jo and Meg, and we shared other parts based on our mood.

4. Provide Access, Time, and Space for Reading. Ensure there is always enough reading material lying around—be it books, comics, magazines, or newspapers. The more access they have to something, the more open they will be to it, and the more easily get into the (reading) habit.

Just like with schoolwork, set aside time (bedtimes, weekends) and space (create a reading nook that is all theirs – it can just be a favorite sofa) for them to read. Even long road trips work as time and space for reading with audiobooks. Books are perfect for when you’re waiting in line somewhere together.

5. Let Them Read Anything. In fact, encourage them! Sometimes the books we enjoy or enjoyed as kids will not work for them, at least not as the hook to lure them in. So let the hook be different, even if it does not work for you. Once they are reading, you can encourage them to expand their horizons—you can then suggest that book you have been dying to get them to read! So whether it is graphic novels or that teen-chick-flick type book or a book not marked as their level of reading, if it sparks their interest, let them read it.

6. Let Them Read in Any Form. You might enjoy that smell of the printed word and relish the joy of holding the book, turning its pages while reading. But if they want to read on their phones (the only con: you need to ensure that they are reading!), let them. If a pair of headphones is what they prefer to enjoy their books, then audiobooks it is for them. While I enjoy the physical book, I totally love the convenience of reading my ebooks, wherever, whenever.

7. Make Connections. Connect reading to their passions and interests. For example, if they love basketball, then maybe Kwame Alexander’s Crossover series might be the hook you need. And if it is a good series, once they read the first one, they will want to read the next; and soon they are reading more. (Remember how Harry Potter got a whole generation reading)

8. It is OK to Have Opinions. Show that it is OK to be passionate about what you read—to love or hate characters, DNF books, or more. Do not criticize them for differing opinions. Healthy debates are always fine, but criticism might discourage the reading habit. If they don’t like a book and choose not to finish that one, it is OK; all the more time to read the books they will enjoy!

9. It is Wonderful to Share Opinions. Encourage them to share those opinions—with family, friends, or on review sites, their own or other’s blogs, or other social media if they want.. that might encourage them to read more.. you never know.

10. Visit Places with Books. Make libraries and bookstores regular family haunts. Return with more books than you can read. It is OK. Used bookstores are such wonderful places and they might realize that finding books there is like finding treasure at the end of a treasure hunt.

11. Add a Fun Element. Make it a movie (or TV show) night. Watch movies or shows based on books (the book first, preferably). Compare and contrast; make a game of it—the book or the movie? Why?

A reading challenge can be fun too. There are so many ideas out there; find one that piques their interest and let them challenge themselves, all for the fun of it. Look to libraries, bookstores, and online for ideas.

Or pick any one of the many literary celebrations and celebrate it. You could also check out the National Day Calendar and connect a book to a celebration, and read it.

12. Encourage Them to Write. Reading and writing are closely connected; one habit leads to the other. Maybe you can write with them—a limerick, a short story, in a journal. Read those aloud to each other!

13. Show That Reading, Readers, Books are Everywhere. Point out role models who love reading—celebrities they love, social media stars they follow. Many recommend books via social media or on their websites, and many of them have book clubs too. Make your teens aware so they can check it out for themselves.

14. Make Reading Relative. Point out book-based points of interest locality and during your travels.

Hope you find these tips useful! Share your tips for encouraging your teens to read too!

This post originally appeared on Lady In Read Writes.

Vidya Tiru

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Someone who loves family, reading, writing and the rest of it, in that order—and writes with the hope that my readers relax a bit, learn some more and leave with a smile on their faces, facts in their brains, a spring in their step and a desire to return (of course)!

Caribu Partners with DC to Add 75+ Kid-Friendly Comics

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 22, 2020

Families who love the activity-based video-calling app Caribu will be excited to hear that they have teamed up with DC, one of the largest publishers of comics and graphic novels in the world. Caribou is expanding the app’s content to a broader audience including kids ages 8 through 12 with the addition of 77 kid-friendly titles. Through interactive reading and video-calling, Caribu is helping kids to stay connected, educated and engaged from a distance with free content for new users all summer.

Caribu users can now access a variety of DC kids titles from popular comics series like DC Super Hero Girls, Teen Titans Go!, Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes. The app also features free previews of DC’s acclaimed middle grade graphic novels, including sneak peeks at Shannon and Dean Hale’s Diana: Princess of the Amazons illustrated by Victoria Ying, Meg Cabot’s Black Canary: Ignite illustrated by Cara McGee, Ridley Pearson’s Super Sons trilogy illustrated by Ile Gonzalez, and additional works by Minh Lê, Kirk Scroggs and many more.

To engage the younger crowd in the comic book conversation this summer, Caribu has deemed Jul. 20 to Jul. 26 Superhero week in their Virtual Summer Reading program, Caribu will highlight a selection of titles from the DC universe for users to read with daily prompts and activities they can use to engage in a more immersive way with the content.

“We pride ourselves in offering a variety of content for a wide range of ages and interests on Caribu,” said Maxeme Tuchman, CEO and CO-Founder at Caribu. “Partnering with DC allows us to meet the needs of older kids who want to have virtual playdates with family and friends so they too can stay entertained and engaged this summer.”

Caribu also recently announced #CampCaribu! 100 Days of Summer Reading Camp, a dynamic summer reading program that you can do together with family and friends in an interactive video-call. All Caribu books and activities are interactive during calls, allowing both parties to turn the page, draw together in real-time, and point to words so kids can follow along.

Visit caribu.com to download the app and enjoy FREE access to “educational screen time” activities this summer, or check out their Facebook Page to learn more. To learn more about DC and the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, visit dccomics.com

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Caribu

Disney Publishing Debuts Summer Reading List

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 18, 2020

Disney released their first-ever Summer Reading list for kids and families to enjoy while at home. The list is comprised of 15 recommendations for ages 0 through 16 and features new books from fan favorite authors. Also to help ensure that more readers have access to books this summer and beyond, Disney Publishing is also donating one million books to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.

Disney will also provide Boys and Girls Clubs of America with virtual programming led by Disney authors and illustrators, as part of the organization’s summer engagement series for club members

“We have a long-standing relationship with Disney and are thrilled to bring one million books to children who participate in our programs,” commented Chad Royal-Pascoe, National Vice President, Corporate & Cause Partnerships, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “This donation comes at a time that is especially challenging for so many families and we know it will go a long way.”

Visit shopDisney.com to check out the list, explore more books from Disney Publishing and expand the stories with activity sheets and more. Many of the books on the list are available in eBook, audio book and print formats.

Disney Summer Reading List:

Ages 0-3

100 First Words Lift-the-Flap Book

Frozen 2 – Anna, Elsa and The Secret River by Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum

Little Kids First Board Book: Dinosaurs

Ages 4 – 8

Ellie Book by Mike Wu

What About Worms? by Ryan Higgins

Little Kids First Big Book of Animals

Ages 7 – 10

Zeus the Mighty: The Quest for the Golden Fleas by Crispin Boyer

Beastly Bionics: Rad Robots, Brilliant Biomimicry, and Incredible Inventions Inspired by Nature by Jennifer Swanson

Peter & Ned’s Ultimate Travel Journal

Ages 8 – 12

Disney Chills: Part of Your Nightmare by Vera Strange

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Young Adult (Age 12 and up)

Star Wars: Queen’s Peril by E.K. Johnston

Straight on Til Morning: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell

Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch Book by Serena Valentino

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Disney

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by Jennifer SwartvagherJune 29, 2020

Your kids will be inspired to get creative this summer. During the month of July, best-selling children’s book authors and illustrators will connect directly with hundreds of young people via the Story Pirates Creator Camp. Kids will enjoy personalized interactive activities all month long, including virtual “cabins.”

Participating Random House Children’s Books authors and illustrators include Mary Pope Osborne (The Magic Tree House series), Nic Stone (Dear Martin, Clean Getaway), Danica McKellar (Goodnight, Numbers), Lincoln Peirce (Max & the Midknights, Big Nate), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Grandma’s Purse, Just Like Me), and Judd Winick (Hilo). During four week-long sessions, kids will also enjoy hours of interactive live-streamed activities hosted by Story Pirates teaching artists. Campers can sign up now at https://www.storypirates.com/camp.

Already, hundreds of campers are enrolled in the inaugural June sessions, where they’re exploring weekly themes like “Heroic Heroes” and “Spy Training.” The screen time is broken up by regular intervals for kids to work independently on their own creative projects. Plus, campers are treated to numerous surprises throughout the week. The only supplies needed are common household items like paper, something to draw with, and tape.

In July, campers will be able to download story sparks and related activities to try at home. For even more summer reading fun, book bundles with a curated selection of books by each week’s featured authors and illustrators will be included as part of camp registration. Campers who want a more personalized experience may choose to join the optional virtual “cabins” on Zoom where they will interact with other campers and Story Pirates’ teaching artists in real time.

Livestreamed programming will be hosted on Mon., Wed. and Fri. from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.ET / 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT.

Each weekly session revolves around a central theme:

Jul. 6 – Jul. 10: Illustration Vacation, featuring award-winning authors and illustrators Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Oge Mora, and Lauren Castillo talking about how they blend words and pictures in their books Just Like Me, Our Friend Hedgehog and The Oldest Student

Jul. 13 – Jul. 17: Camp Cartoonist, featuring graphic novelist Judd Winnick sharing how he created the world of Hilo, his beloved middle-grade series. Artists Lincoln Peirce and Lucy Knisley will also discuss their recent works, Max & the Midknights and Stepping Stones.

Jul. 20 – Jul. 24: Story Pirates in Space! featuring author Danica McKellar talking about her new book, The Times Machine! Additional special guests this week are The Magnificent Makers series author Theanne Griffith, a brain scientist by day, as well as Dean of the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences, astrophysicist, and author of Child of the Universe Ray Jayawardhana discussing “Our Cosmic Selves.”

Jul. 27 – Jul. 31: Time Travel Adventure is the topic of week 4, featuring author Nic Stone talking about her New York Times bestselling middle-grade novel Clean Getaway. Mary Pope Osborne, renowned for her internationally bestselling Magic Tree House series, will be discussing her William Shakespeare focused story Stage Fright on a Summer Night. Finally, fiction and nonfiction author Kate Messner will talk about her new series, History Smashers.

Story Pirates CEO Benjamin Salka is excited to add July’s Story Pirates Creator Camp to the growing mix of online content available to kids who may not be able to attend traditional camps this summer. “Fans of Story Pirates, and these amazing authors and illustrators, will find a lot to engage them in July. I’m proud that we’re emphasizing the role of visual arts in the story-making process. Drawing helps kids express themselves and bring their stories to life in really creative ways.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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Scholastic Read-a-Palooza Supports Literacy at Home While Schools are Closed

by Jennifer SwartvagherMay 6, 2020

Extended school closures means most, if not all, kids will not return to the classroom until the fall. To continue to support literacy during the coming months Scholastic has launched Scholastic Read-a-Palooza. This free program is designed to increase book access and ensure engaging experiences to keep kids reading this summer.

“With the unprecedented closing of U.S. schools, for many through to summer break, supporting literacy at home has never been more important. We know the power of reading and access to books is irreplaceable, and a critical component of combating the summer slide under normal circumstances. With the prospect of a greater slide due to the impact of COVID-19 and a nation of families and educators feeling emotional exhaustion, Scholastic is more dedicated than ever to partner together in inspiring and illuminating joyful, purposeful student learning. Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza can serve as a an easy-to-use, engaging bridge for kids to connect with books, both digitally and through book donations this summer, in partnership with United Way Worldwide,” said Pam Allyn, SVP, Innovation & Development, Scholastic.

Starting Monday, May 4, kids can join the Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza in the newly created summer zone on Scholastic Home Base, a free and safe digital destination, where they will be encouraged to explore free resources, read select ebooks, engage with fellow readers and favorite authors, and keep Reading Streaks, which also help unlock a donation of 100,000 print books from Scholastic, distributed by United Way Worldwide.

“United Way is proud to partner with Scholastic once again for a dynamic summer program that will encourage children everywhere to develop strong reading skills while improving the quality of learning environments in communities everywhere,” said Suzanne McCormick, U.S. President, United Way Worldwide. “United Way is dedicated to building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities and we believe it’s critical all children, especially during this era of distance learning, have the ability to develop essential literacy skills through access to quality books.”

Every child with a free Home Base account can create an avatar and experience the Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza by:

Reading free digital books. Exclusive to the summer zone, kids will have access to select full ebooks in their entirety.
Unlocking book donations for home libraries: For every two consecutive days a child checks into the zone they will create a Reading Streak which will unlock a new free print book for a child with limited or no access to books. Reading Streaks are earned when kids check in to the Read-a-Palooza zone to confirm they have read that day. With the goal of unlocking all 100,000 books by July, United Way Worldwide, the world’s largest privately funded nonprofit, will distribute the books across the country to locations where access to more high-quality books is needed most.
Sharing reading progress. Kids will be able to create and print individualized reading reports summarizing their reading progress. These easy-to-download and printable reports can be shared with teachers or parents to show reading accomplishments.
Earning personal reading milestones. Kids will be able to earn accolades ranging from bronze, silver, gold and diamond levels for their reading streak progress while collecting summer-specific accessories to dress up their avatar.
Joining a community of readers. The summer zone offers kids a safe social platform to interact with friends and make new companions along the way. Through this summer reading community kids will share and discover the joy of stories and help provide books to their peers with limited or no access.

To learn more about Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza and access free summer reading resources, visit: http://www.scholastic.com/summer.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Ben White on Unsplash

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The Best New Kids Books from June, July & August, 2019

by Amber GuetebierAugust 20, 2019

Summer is coming to an end but we’re happy to report that book season is not! This summer, top children’s publishers and indie houses alike published some pretty exciting new reads. We spent the summer reading (a lot!) and we’ve culled our favorites that were published in the months of June, July and August. Scroll down for our top picks.

Preschool

Whizzy Wheels Academy Series

Kiddos obsessed with trucks will become enamored with two new reads in the Whizzy Wheels Academy series: Dylan the Dump Truck and Daisy the Digger by Peter Bently. Both titles, published in board book style, showcase life lessons in patience, perseverance and overcoming challenges.

Ages: 3-5

Dylan the Dump Truck available on amazon.com for $9.95 and Daisy the Digger available on amazon.com for $9.95.

I'm a Gnome

Author Jessica Peill-Meininghaus needs you to know that if you like magical creatures and beautiful, bright illustrations (by Polly Bernatene) this is the book for you! Follow one very chatty gnome as he teaches kids the difference between creatures like elves, gnomes, dwarves, trolls and fairies. This humorous tale is a sweet romp into another enchanted, woodland realm, perfect to activate imaginations.

Ages: 3-7

Get it here. $17.99

Is 2 A Lot?

Looking for a great intro the world of numbers and math? Is 2 A Lot, written by Annie Watson and illustrated by Rebecca Evans, aims to help kids understand numbers in the context of things they see every day. Head out on a road trip while a young kiddo asks his mom questions like, "Is one thousand a lot?" Mom's answer? "One thousand is not a lot of grains of sand, but it is a lot of hot air balloons!"

Ages: 4-6

Find a copy here. $12.29.

My Name Is Wakawakaloch!

Ever feel like you don't fit in because of your name? Wakawakaloch feels your pain, which is why she wants to change her name to something others can easily pronounce. But when she discovers the origin of her name, Wakawakaloch's attitude takes a turn. Find out whether she embraces her name or decides it's just not working in this fun picture book set in prehistoric times by Chana Stiefel, with illustrations by Mary Sullivan.

Ages 4-7

Available at amazon.com for $17.99

No More Monsters Under Your Bed!

We love our kids' wild imaginations but when those imaginations conjure up images of monsters under the bed and prevent your little from falling asleep at night, it's time to bring in reinforcements. Turn to this magical book by Jordan Chouteau with illustrations by Anat Even Or, to help your kiddo conquer her fears. With goofy monster illustrations and even a real no-more-monsters patch your child can wear to bed, this book is sure to drive away those monsters in no time.

Ages 4-8

Available on amazon.com for $13.60

Vlad the Rad

NY Times bestselling illustrator Brigette Barrager brings Vlad, a high-energy young vampire, to life in this adorable picture book. Not only does Vlad love skateboarding (because he's rad!) he also loves schoolwork! Which makes this a great back-to-school, fall read!

Ages: 3-7

Get it here.

Elementary

Look! I Wrote a Book! (And You Can Too)

A wonderfully silly story that will inspire your little literati to get creative, Sally Lloyd Jones' new book is a great choice for teachers, classrooms and families that love to read and write together. Illustrated by Neal Layton.

Ages: 4-8

Find one here. $16.19

The Seekers

We're not sure what is the best part of this amazing new book; the original story based on mythology from the artists' native Mombai or the stunning illustrations created by Hari & Deepti, two paper-cut artists who bring the words to life. Both elements combine to make hands-down one of the most beautiful and unique books of 2019. The story about two children who learn that Silver Fox and Fire Wolf are anything but myths.

Ages: 4-8

Find your copy today here. $17.60

If I Built a School

If you could build a school what would it include? Hover desks? Pop-up textbooks? Author/illustrator Chris Van Dusen is an E.B. White Read-Aloud winner and this book reminds you why. Read it aloud as the new school year begins and ask your kiddos to imagine the school they'd build. A fun, rhyming read, and a great one for early readers to practice reading out loud to their grown-ups!

Ages: 5-8

Get your copy now. $12.75

Two Brothers, One Tail

This sweet story by Richard T. Morris is told in rhyme is about a boy and his brother—who happens to be a dog. A wonderful reminder of the importance of a family pet. (Hint: don't read this to your kids if they've been begging you for a dog and you can't have one). You'll love the illustrations by Jay Fleck.

Ages: 5-8

See for yourself here. $12.77

Upper Elementary/Middle School

How to Be a Coder

Kiki Prottsman doesn't just know all about coding, she knows how to encourage, teach and get kids excited about learning to code...by reading. No small feat, getting kids to learn about greats like computer science pioneers Katherine Johnson and Alan Turing along with gleaning new skills, this impressive (and very colorful) book from DK is sure to be a hit.

Ages: 7-9

See it here. $19.09

From an Idea to LEGO

This awesome series, which includes other books like From an Idea to Google, and From an Idea to Disney, is basically like a "How I Built This" for kids, in book form. We learned so many amazing things about LEGO including the beginning concepts and hardships, fun facts and so much more. The perfect book for little LEGO lovers who want to go beyond sticking bricks. In short, Lowey Bundy Sichol's books are brilliant and inspiring for inventors and innovators everywhere.

Find it here. $7.99

The Math Kids: A Sequence of Events

David Cole's second book in the Math Kids chapter book series is just as lively and entertaining as the first. The Math Kids Club is back and this time they're entering the district Math Olympics. But they need one key thing to win: the quiet, math genius in class Catherine Duchesne. But when Catherine's dad goes missing, her new math friends spring into action to use math to solve the mystery. For any kid who loves math, buy this book. And any kid who doesn't? Buy it to show them math is fun!

Ages: 8-11

Get a copy here. $9.99

Amelia Fang Books

This summer brought us not one but two new Amelia Fang books: Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball (in which our heroine reluctantly attends her parents annual ball only to embark on an adventure to save her pet pumpkin, Squashy, from the evil clutches of a spoiled prince) and Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis, where we find Amelia and her friends on a quest to rescue Queen Fairyweather from the terrifying Kingdom of Light. Both make a great read from author/illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson, the perfect celebration of the dark side in all of us.

Ages: 7 and up

See more here.

The Curse of the Werepenguin

Allan Woodrow's just-released, The Curse of the Werepenguin not only gets the summer award for best book title ever, it also gets kudos for creativity, humor and engaging writing. Oprhan Bolt Wattle's life takes a dramatic turn when he is sent for by a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria. Baron Chordata seems a little odd—he wears tuxedos and refuses to answer any questions. Things get a lot worse when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half-boy, half-penguin. For fans of humor and adventure, you can't go wrong with this middle-grade chapter book.

Ages: 8-12

Find it now. $16.39

—Amber Guetebier

featured image: iStock

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31 Ways to Spend Time Together As a Family in August

by Leah R. SingerJuly 31, 2019

With Labor Day and back to school on the horizon, summer is slowly coming to a close. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your family activities this August. Get ready for family fun because we’ve rounded up 31 fun things to do with the family this last month of summer.

Emily Murray

1. Visit a national park. There are more than 400 national parks across the country. Take a road trip and find one to visit that’s close to your hometown.

2. Pencils, binders, notebooks, oh my! Get your back-to-school supply shopping done now so you’ll be ready when school starts.

3. Spend a night outside on Aug. 15 and gaze at the full moon.

4. Get your camera ready for the first day of school photos. From DIY props and photo frames, here are a few cool ideas for your pictures.

5. August 16 is National Tell a Joke Day. These jokes will have you and your kiddos laughing up a storm.

Leah Singer

6. Go fly a kite at your local park.

7. While the kiddos are still home from school, have a family movie night for every remaining night of summer. Here are a few movie suggestions to get you started.

8. Try out a new recipe for a few nights a week during August. Need some inspiration? Here are 50+ easy summer recipes.

9. Start back-to-school shopping with these awesome online consignment stores.

10. Make homemade lemonade, but shake things up with one of these 10 modern twists on the traditional drink.

Carol Norquist, NGC Chair

11. Start planning your Labor Day weekend fun. Here are a few ideas to get your plans underway.

12. Practice random acts of kindness. Need some ideas? Here are 76 ways you and the kids can pay it forward.

13. Schedule your family eye exams. If it turns out your little one needs glasses, these online stores will have you seeing great deals.

14. It’s baseball season! Take in a major or minor league game in your city.

15. Keep the summer reading game strong with books from your local library. Or join this audiobook club, which is perfect for road trip adventures.

courtesy 11 Cupcakes

16. Start a new back to school tradition. From a show and tell dinner on the first night to interviewing your young scholar, here are 21 ideas to inspire your family traditions.

17. Play in the water! Head to a creek, the beach, a pool, or simply play in the sprinklers.

18. Have some backyard fun. From pitching a tent to collecting bugs, here are 55 ideas to inspire imaginations.

19. Don’t throw away your empty egg cartons. Get crafty with these 20 creative ideas.

20. Try out one of these activity kits to keep your kiddo busy this August.

Leah Singer

21. Stop by your local fire station and ask for a tour. If the firefighters aren’t fighting fires, chances are they’ll give you a brief tour and may even let your little one sit in the truck.

22. Make your own back to school supplies with these Pinterest-inspired ideas.

23. Get your kiddo equipped for school with a new backpack. Here are 23 of the coolest new backpacks on the shelves.

24. Go beyond FaceTime and text messaging by writing actual letters to family and friends. Get some cute stationery and don’t forget the stamps.

25. Aug. 4 is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Bake cookies together and deliver them to neighbors for the occasion.

khamkhor via Pixabay

26. Splurge at Starbucks with one of these six summer drinks on their “secret” menu.

27. Plan a last-minute road trip before school starts. Here are a few car games and toys to keep the kids busy on the road.

28. Have a few family dinner nights where the kids pick the meal you and you chose the conversation.

29. Get crafty with paper. From beautiful mermaids to garlands and festive hats, here are 29 crafts that spotlight all-things paper.

30. Stay cool by snacking on a popsicle. Here are 20 cool treats that are easy and delicious.

31. Kick your lunchbox game up a notch with these hacks to ensure a smooth school year.

—Leah R. Singer

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