Reading keeps kids sharp during Summer

With school out, it’s time to find those kids something to do this summer. Mary Cameron coordinates the summer program for the state library of Iowa and says it’s worth the time spent choosing some good books for kids to read. She says their age doesn’t matter, and even sixth-graders like to be read to, and doing it makes you a good role model for them. Children like to see their parents reading, and doing something besides watch TV encourages them to find out what an author shared in a book. Cameron says in the “olden days” before videos, as a child she read the Little House on the Prairie books, and used her imagination to picture Laura Ingalls’ sod hut. Best of all, reading can take the place of summer homework at helping kids not to forget what they’ve learned in school.Cameron says reading six books over the summer has been found enough to keep their reading skills at grade level. Cameron’s coordinator of a summer reading program at the state’s 543 public libraries called “Join the Winner’s Circle — read!”