Kids’ Summer Reading Program Materials Now Available in Bookseller DIY

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The ABC Children’s Group at ABA has launched Give Me Summer! Give Me Books! a national summer reading program for kids that is open to all ABA member bookstores. The program’s goal is to build a strong community of readers by bringing independent bookstores and local schools together to encourage kids to read.

The ABC Children‘s Group Summer Reading Committee selected 18 recently published paperback titles for the program — six titles tailored to children in each of three age groups: KindergartenGrade 2, Grades 35, and Grades 68.

Promotional materials are now available to participating bookstores in the Bookseller DIY. Materials include bookmarks that both showcase the list of suggested titles and serve as summer reading tracking forms; a form letter to schools; sample newsletter copy; suggested Twitter and Facebook posts; signage; images for T-shirts and temporary tattoo transfers, and certificates of completion. The bookmarks and certificates of completion feature fields that allow booksellers to customize language and add their store names. Also included in the DIY is a list of helpful tips for making the promotion a success.

Participating stores are encouraged to choose appropriate rewards or prizes for children who complete the program and for the local school with the highest number of participating students. Readers are asked to provide their school’s name on the bookmark as well as to check off all the books they complete. Suggestions for rewards include coupons, gift certificates, book donations, and author visits.

Booksellers with questions about the program should contact ABC Children’s Group Manager Shannon O’Connor via e-mail or at (800) 637-0037, ext. 7551.