Art of Reading

Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore new books, discover favorite authors, and keep their love of reading alive. Partnering with your local library can help families find exciting new titles and fun programs that inspire kids to keep turning pages all summer long! 

Capstone helps kids succeed by making reading fun! We are here to help make your summer reading journey as enjoyable and impactful as possible! On this page you will find:

• Free downloadable activities, reading logs, coloring pages, and more
• Hand picked books to spark creativity and promote colorful problem-solving
• Family-friendly tips to motivate, inspire, and keep kids reading all summer

Quick Tips for Parents

Make Reading Fun and Engaging

1. Let Them Choose - Choice is a powerful motivator for reading! Let them choose topics that interest them whether it is graphic novels, fantasy, or nonfiction! They will all help students become better readers.
2. Choice Extends Beyond the Book - Give kids the option to pick when, where, and how they read. Let them read under the covers with a flashlight, outside in the shade, or cuddled up in a chair to their favorite stuffed animal.
3. Read-Alouds and Audio Books - Mix it up with audiobooks or family led read-aloud sessions to make connections and give some variety.

Get Creative with Art-fueled Activities

1. Reading Art Journal - Have your kid keep a reading journal where they can sketch out their favorite character, summarize events of the chapter, or make connections between the story and their own life.
2. Create Book Jackets - Let students create an alternative book cover 
3. Access Free Resources - Use free resources like the ones on this page or at your local library to keep the colorful activities flowing

Make Reading Part of Daily Life

1. Take Books Everywhere - It doesn't matter what, where, or when kids are reading. The important part is that they crack open a book and dive in. Keep a book in the car, pack one in your sling, reach out to your school, or library to see if they have a Capstone login for eBooks that can be read anywhere on any device!
2. Be Consistent and Reward Progress - Set routines and expectations for how often your kid reads each week. Reward their progress by using a sticker chart, getting them a special copy of a book, or set fun incentives like a special outing for reaching reading milestones. 
3. Visit the Library Often - Your public library is the best place to keep the reading momentum going. Let kids explore the newest releases, join library events, and participate in the local summer reading program.

Embrace Artistic Creativity and STEM with Makerspaces this Summer

Imagine, create, and educate! Makerspace is an educational concept taking libraries by storm. Why? Anyone and everyone can be a maker! Whether you’re a builder, a problem solver, an artist, a craftsman, or an animator, Capstone has several titles that supplement makerspaces for school libraries. From 10-Minute Makers, full of quick, self-guided projects and activities, to Recycled Science, where fun and learning collide with experiments and science projects, you can teach skills to your young thinkers while maintaining the educational concepts their minds need. Whether your student is interested in coding, origami, drawing, or engineering, you can support their interests with educational projects that blend creativity and knowledge making for a more well-rounded learning experience.

Makerspaces are built with simple, inexpensive materials, and brought to life by creativity and imagination! School libraries can enhance their makerspaces with paperbacks, eBooks, and more, all from Capstone. Enter the world of makerspace.

Makerspace Magic

February 28, 2025

Makerspaces blend creativity, innovation, and collaboration in libraries. Whether a student is prototyping an new invention, crafting an unique design or tinkering with electronics, makerspaces foster a sense of wonder and possibility. In a makerspace, the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, and the impossible becomes achievable.

Makerspace Infographic

Kids learn best when they are led by their own curiosity. Makerspaces are a great way to help promote inquiry and build creative thinking skills.