Summer is full of the kinds of moments that can turn Charlottesville-area kids into lifelong readers: books tucked into beach bags on the way to the reservoir, lingering visits to the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, stories on road trips through the Blue Ridge, and the excitement of discovering a new favorite author. If you’re hoping to build more reading joy this summer, here are ten simple ways to help your child fall in love with books.
10 Ways to Help Kids Fall in Love with Reading This Summer
1. Pair books with adventures
Reading becomes even more exciting when it connects to real life. Visiting the Virginia Discovery Museum or the Shenandoah Valley? Bring a book that matches the destination. Headed to a farm, a baseball game at Davenport Field, or camping in the George Washington National Forest? Find a story that fits the experience and let the adventure begin before you even arrive.
2. Visit your local library
The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library is one of the best places to spark reading excitement. Summer reading programs, story times, curated book displays, and the simple joy of choosing books together can turn a quick stop into a favorite family ritual. Check their summer schedule — registration often opens in June.
3. Let kids choose
One of the most powerful ways to build reading motivation is giving children real ownership. Graphic novels, nonfiction, joke books, fantasy series, magazines — let them pull whatever catches their eye. It all counts, and the habit of choosing for themselves lasts a lifetime.
4. Make reading social
Books are even more fun when they’re shared. Read aloud together as a family, start an informal book club with neighbors, or invite friends over for a book swap. Connection amplifies enthusiasm — especially for reluctant readers.
5. Connect with authors and illustrators in person
Meeting the people who create books can leave a lasting impression. Seek out book festivals, library programs, and bookstore events. Once a child makes a personal connection with a children’s book creator, the magic behind stories starts to feel real.
Families in Virginia can take part in READING ROCKS on June 24, 2026 — a free celebration of summer reading featuring books, games, and favorite children’s book authors and illustrators. It’s part of the well-respected 40th annual Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference (June 24–26, 2026), which brings educators, librarians, authors, illustrators, and children’s literature advocates together around a shared mission to inspire young readers.
6. Create a family reading stack
Make it a shared project. Visit the library or browse a local bookstore together and let every family member — including adults — contribute a title they’re genuinely excited about. A stack on the coffee table is an invitation.
7. Keep books everywhere
Create small “book baskets” wherever your family naturally pauses: the car, the patio, near the breakfast table, tucked into a beach bag. Easy access turns downtime into discovery. Some of the best reading moments happen spontaneously.
8. Read with kids, not just to them
As children get older, shared reading often fades — but middle-grade readers still crave connection. Try reading the same book in tandem, listening to audiobooks on the drive to camp, or taking turns reading aloud after dinner. The ritual matters as much as the book.
9. Celebrate books as part of family life
Talk about stories at the dinner table. Display favorite books. Revisit beloved read-alouds from earlier years. Let your children see that you love to read. When books are part of everyday conversation rather than just schoolwork, kids internalize that reading is something people do — not something they have to do. Attend book events – join storytimes at popular Cville bookshops, including Bluebird in Crozet, Commerce Street Books on Main, or the Downtown Mall’s New Dominion Bookshop!
10. Follow curiosity wherever it leads
A child passionate about insects, sports, mythology, space, animals, baking, or drawing already has a doorway into reading. Start with what they love. A field guide, a graphic novel about a favorite sport, a cookbook — curiosity is the most reliable reading teacher there is.
Make Books Part of Your Family’s Summer Story
This summer, books can become more than a reading list. They can be woven into family traditions, local adventures, and the small everyday moments that children carry with them long after the school year begins again. Whether your kids are heading into kindergarten or middle school, there’s a story out there that’s exactly right for them — and a summer ahead that’s exactly right for finding it.
This article was inspired by the 40th anniversary of the Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference, which brings educators, librarians, authors, illustrators, and children’s literature advocates together around a shared commitment to helping young readers discover the power of literature. The 2026 conference runs June 24–26 in Winchester, Virginia.
LAURA RIVAS is a communications professional with a passion for books and all things of the written word.