As a Gen Xer, my memories of summer are filled with sun-drenched hours spent outdoors—running through the sprinkler, wading in the creek, chasing fireflies in the evening, and reading books in forts we built in the backyard.
Kids traveled the neighborhood in packs, riding bikes and playing games like Kick the Can and Ghost in the Graveyard. I was constantly muddy, sweaty, and a little sunburned, but I was never far from a book.
We talked about the stories we were reading and pretended to be the characters. The titles changed as we grew older, but I remember acting out Where the Wild Things Are, Little House on the Prairie, and Encyclopedia Brown, just to name a few.
We swapped books constantly, and if we were especially lucky, someone’s parents would drive us to the library to check out a fresh stack. Jackpot!
Summer certainly looks different for many kids today, but there are still countless books and stories waiting to surprise and delight the children in your world—and maybe even you. Bedtime stories, library trips, and curling up with a good book still hold an important place in childhood and can pay dividends for the rest of a child’s life.
No matter what your children are curious about or interested in, there’s a book to match their mood and spark their imagination. Visit our book list for a little inspiration. And don’t forget—military families can record storytime videos and request free books through the UTR app.
Here’s wishing you and your family your own sun-drenched summer memories filled with laughter, adventure, and magical storytime moments.
