Fun Books my child can read during the summer break

During the summer break kids have lots of fun activities to choose from. They can hit the water parks, go on a beach holiday, travel to the hills. In between all this, diving into reading some books can be a great idea. 

1. Choose your words. Remember book reading should be a fun activity and never be a chore. We parents have to learn to just change the narrative sometimes. So instead of saying “reading time after lunch!” or “get in your bed for a story time” if we say “OH! After lunch we get to read!”, or “How much we had to wait to read this wonderful book about….” will naturally attract kids and do wonders.
2. Create a reading spot. Call it something fun like ‘book nook’. Put up a fort or a tent at the reading corner. Read a bit of the same book as the children. Try and look for exciting discussions around the favourite characters in the book.
3. Let children select their books. While planning travel and shopping, buying fun books together and letting children select the books, all can be great hooks to create excitement.
4. Live the books. Turn play dates into theatre around the books or characters in the books children have loved.

From sandy beaches to the city lights, from trips to the mountains to wildlife safari there is a list of books which are popular with children around the world. 

My favourite authors for kids are: 

Sally Gridley: A series that talks about friendship, sharing, change of season, independence, life skills, communication skills and much more! 

2. Eric Carle: Books that talk about acceptance, differences, seasons, healthy eating and much more.

3. Danny Parker: On a perfect day, how hours stretch endlessly. This is all about scribbling, collecting shells, climbing trees, etc.

4. Pamela Allen

The story is about 5 friends who decide to go rowing.

5. Alison Lester: It is a funny story about how a pony goes to the beach with her friends, a dog and a cat, who else joins in? 

6. Greg Pizzoli: About a crocodile who has a fear of swallowing the watermelon seed. 

7. Tim Winton: A brave girl who is scared to swim in the ocean. Does she overcome her fear?

‘The Hindu’ has listed out a few Indian Authors for children who I would like to recommend. I have had the fortune of reading most of these authors.

1. Ruskin Bond: With more than 50 books for children to his credit, the author gives a vivid description about how wildlife and human beings have coexisted for centuries. Must reads: The boy from the hills, Getting granny's glasses, The blue umbrella, Thick as thieves, Tales of friendship, The whistling schoolboy.

2. Subhadra Sen Gupta: Known for her historical fiction. A clown for Tenali Ram, 12 O ‘clock Ghost stories (Spooky scary plain mysteries) 

3.  Paro Anand: Short stories for children.

Must reads: Little bird who held the sky, Tree with a travelling heart, Wingless weed and many more. 

4. Sudha Murthy: Written novels and short stories. 

Must reads: The day I stopped drinking milk, Grandma’s bag of stories, etc.

5. Ranjit Lal: His Books are a delight for children! 

Caterpillar who went on a diet, The parakeet that squawked in, That summer at Kalagarh. 

Must reads: Nana was a nutcase, Tigers of Taboo Valley.

6. Natasha Sharma Award winning children’s book author.

Must reads: Squiggle takes a walk, - all about punctuations, Rooster raga, Ananya’s thumb - what should I wear today?

7. Asha Nehemiah Stories are a mix of humour, fantasy and adventure.  She believes that stories are a great way to get children thinking and talking about issues.

Must reads: Granny’s sari, Wedding clothes, Surprise gift, The Runaway wheel , Mrs Wolly’s Funny sweater, Zigzag, etc.

8. Anu Kumar:  She uses her degree in history for children’s books. Writes on animals and mythology, such as Adventures of Atisa, the 14 years old time travelling detective.

Must reads: How did the Harappans say hello! Across the seven seas, In the country of gold digging ants. 

This is a short list of homemade literature that would keep your child’s inner reader occupied for quite a while, and to keep those pages turning.

Children of all ages must be encouraged to read. Be it Pre nursery, nursery school, kindergarten, or primary school, there are age appropriate books for all children. 

There are wonderful book stores in Gurgaon, and pretty much everywhere. 

The Best schools in Gurgaon invest in creating nice libraries and allow children to borrow books.

Vega Schools have free community libraries at both Gurgaon campuses.

Let’s become our children’s reading partners, after all everyone enjoys a good book!

Jayshree Guha Thakur
Vice-Principal of Vega Schools

For more information on the above subject, Write to us at info@vega.edu.in.