Soar into Summer

 

Summer Reading Field Trips

Soar into summer by having your child take the pledge to read all summer long. Whether picking up a book on a lazy summer day, reading during a long car trip, or setting time each summer evening for reading time, summer is the perfect time to encourage your child to read.

Take the Summer Reading Pledge

The first 200 families that take the RIF summer reading pledge will receive a copy of the book, A Sofia Special, one of the books featured in our summer collection.

A sweet children's book about love, resilience, and the joy of sharing, A Sofia Special includes a recipe for a very special fruit-filled treat that young readers and their families can make and share together.

This book is generously being donated by Driscoll’s, their first book by award-winning children’s author Julie Falatko, that shares life is sweeter when you have someone special to share it with. Click on the Driscoll’s logo below to watch a special read-aloud.

The Driscoll's logo in a green cursive font with a red accent.

Join RIF on a Series of Summer Field Trips!

We invite children across the nation to join RIF this summer to explore their surroundings through reading fun - from beaches and parks to museums and the great outdoors. Join us on our summer reading field trip series! Here is everything you need to help your child spend their summer visiting new and exciting places and keep them reading all summer long. Download these activities to be completed with each book to support reading engagement and comprehension.

Below are recommended book collections to help your child take a new and different field trip throughout the summer weeks. Of course, feel free to have your child select a book(s) of their choice to complement the recommendations below and explore even more. Additionally, each field trip collection includes an eBook from RIF’s s digital eBook service, Skybrary, which offers almost 1,000 eBooks and hundreds of real-world virtual field trips hosted by LeVar Burton.

Museums and Monuments

To see the full collection, click here.

The White House: Designed by James Hoban, Built by Many Hands!

This book shares the story of architect James Hoban and the many diverse builders of the White House. See the read aloud for this book here.

Eric & Julieta: At the Museum / En el museo

Big brother Eric always has his mischievous sister around—but somehow, Eric finds himself in trouble, and Julieta escapes the blame.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (Rookie National Parks™)

Stunning photos, fun and informative text, and a helpful field guide introduce young readers to the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial.

The Adventures of Bella & Harry: Let's Visit Saint Petersburg!

Join sibling Chihuahuas Bella and Harry as they travel to Saint Petersburg with their family.

Simone Visits the Museum

Simone and her mother visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

National Monuments of the USA

Visit the National Monuments that celebrate the most iconic and majestic landscapes and locations in the USA.

Fun at the Beach

To see the full collection, click here.

Surf's Up

Bro and Dude have very different ideas about how to spend their day at the beach.

Manfish

This book tells the story of how Jacques Cousteau grew up to become one of the best-known oceanographers in the world.

Summer Wonders

A book that celebrates all things summer – from playing at the park to swimming at the pool to catching fireflies.

Whale vs. Giant Squid

Who's the strongest, fastest, biggest and baddest—who would win?

The Pout-Pout Fish

Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun fish story that's sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.

The Great Outdoors

To see the full collection, click here.

Lola Plants a Garden

After reading a book of garden poems, Lola is inspired to plant her own flower garden.

How Many Stars in the Sky?

A little boy can't sleep, so he joins his Daddy for an unforgettable journey of discovery.

We're Going on a Nature Hunt

Three friends explore the beauty nature has to offer together.

Where's Rodney?

A Black boy’s transformative day out in nature, recommended by Social Justice Books and We Are Kid Lit Collective.

Volcanoes!

This cool story of volcanoes will intrigue kids and adults alike.

Parks and Farms

To see the full collection, click here.

Take a Hike!: An Acorn Book

Moby Shinobi and his dog Toby are excited to go camping in the mountains!

A Sofia Special

Sofia loves to dance, play, and find the fun in every day. But when her school day starts going sideways, Sofia finds it challenging to keep on twirling.

Summer Sun Risin'

From sunrise to sunset, an African American boy spends an activity-filled summer day helping his family on their farm.

Tractor Mac: Friends on the Farm

Come along with Tractor Mac and his vehicle and animal friends as he explores Stony Meadow Farm.

Bark Park

Energetic rhymes are punctuated with cheerful illustrations that bring each individual pet vividly to life in a bouncy, fast-paced, frolicking doggone fun!

In My Neighborhood

To see the full collection, click here.

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street

Eva has been given a homework assignment to record goings-on in her Manhattan neighborhood.

A Good Night Walk

As a child and parent walk down the block to the bay and turn to walk back home, evening falls upon the neighborhood.

Lend a Hand

This beautiful book offers a collection of poems showcasing everyday examples of simple acts of kindness.

Dream Street

Illuminating this vivid cast of characters are vibrant, joyful illustrations that make this neighborhood truly sing.

Maybe Something Beautiful

Mira lives in a gray urban community until a muralist arrives and brings color, joy, and hope to the neighborhood.

Staycation

To see the full collection, click here.

Rainbow Stew

It's a rainy summer day, but the vegetables in Grandpa's garden are just waiting to be picked.

Blackout

Using the blackout of 2003 as inspriation, the author follows a fictional family on a hot summer night when the power goes out.

The Nowhere Box

George tries to escape his annoying younger siblings by creating a box to nowhere. A story of imagination and the importance of family.

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Siesta

Come join the fun—in English and Spanish—and make an ordinary afternoon extraordinary with a backyard camping adventure!

Soup Day

On a cold, snowy day, a young girl and her mother shop to buy ingredients for vegetable soup. At home, they work together―step by step―to prepare the meal.

Visit the National Museum of Natural History

Visit the National Museum of Natural History with this Skybrary video. With optional read-to-me narration, book animations, and book related activities, Skybrary offers an exciting source of books to keep reading all summer (and year!) long.

Summer Special! 20% off Skybrary, use code SUMMER23 at checkout
A group of children are seated in a circle while they read a book together

Summer Reading Field Trip Book Club

Reading is more fun when you share a good story with a friend or two. Help your child start a summer book club.

Join us in some live, interactive fun this summer!

RIF is thrilled to offer two virtual book clubs this summer where your child can watch a read-aloud and then join in a discussion about the book.

A graphic of a parent reading to a child

Grades K-2

Date: Monday, June 26th

Time: 1-2pm EST

Book Title: To Be Announced

A graphic of a person reading a book

Grades 3-5

Date: Tuesday, July 25th

Time: 1-2pm EST

Book Title: To Be Announced

Take A Summer Trip with TIME for Kids

Reading a variety of forms of print as well as a mix of fiction and nonfiction materials supports a child’s reading journey. TIME for Kids is generously offering 6 issues of their magazine this summer to engage children in real-world topics. TIME for Kids nurtures today’s learners and tomorrow’s leaders with authentic news and critical thinking skills that shape active global citizens. Explore these magazines with your children to learn about destinations across the globe and galaxy.

Explore more here.

A hand holds up three issues of Time for Kids magazine
The book bites calendars for this summer

Book Bites

Here are some other fun ways to encourage your child to read each day. Our monthly literacy calendars offer daily Book Bites with thematic activities, suggested titles, and fun holidays to encourage creativity and fun around daily reading.

Spend Time Reading Together

Reading a book aloud, taking turns reading, acting out the story, and discussing a book are all critical elements to building children’s reading skills. Reading together with a family member starts children on a path to obtain the necessary skills to become a proficient, engaged and lifelong reader. Here are some tips to make the most of your read-aloud time.

A mother reads to her child

Share Your Summer Reading with RIF

We invite you to share your child’s field trip experiences all summer long. We’d love to see one of their field trip postcards or other pictures. Use #ReadWithRIF, #RIFSummerFieldTrips, or #BookJoy when you post online.