Summer holidays are a time for sleeping in, beach days and a break from the usual school routine. But while children are taking a well-earned holiday from the classroom, that doesn't have to mean taking a break from learning altogether.

The summer months are one of the best opportunities to help children discover a love of reading that extends far beyond homework assignments and classroom reading lists.

Kristin White, owner of Long Story Short, says keeping children engaged over the holidays doesn't have to feel like school. Instead, it's about making reading a natural part of family life.

“Children can lose many academic skills during the summer. Scholastic estimates primary school students can lose up to 20 per cent of their reading skills and 28 per cent of math. So we need to engage them in activities that aid, rather than hinder, brain development.”

Reading is one piece of that puzzle, but she believes families should think more broadly.

“Outdoor activities, visits to museums and art galleries, conversations around the dinner table, doing puzzles, playing board games, creating a lemonade stand and helping in the garden all incorporate reading and math while feeling like a natural part of family life and routine.”

Perhaps the most important lesson, however, comes from parents themselves.

“Most of all, children read when they watch their parents read and when books are readily available in their home.”

Choosing the right books is equally important, but Ms White believes many parents overcomplicate the process.

“Any book that children want to read is the perfect summer read. Let them read whatever they want, as long as it's age appropriate. This is the key to getting children excited about reading.”

That freedom might mean novels for one child, graphic novels for another or even magazines and comic books for someone who doesn't yet see themselves as a reader.

“Introducing readers to a book series can also be great for the summer and can encourage them to keep reading book after book.”

For younger children, she recommends books that encourage interaction and curiosity.

“For babies, toddlers and young children, I suggest brightly coloured board books, books with interesting textures and beautifully illustrated picture books to capture their imagination. I also love books with fun, poignant or cultural topics that keep both children and parents engaged.”

Among her favourites are the Nerdy Babies and Baby Loves series, which introduce young readers to topics including weather, transportation, engineering, coding and the ocean.

As children grow, so too should the books they read.

“Early chapter books and middle-grade readers should be age appropriate but also challenge older children and young teens to tackle harder words, sentence structures and topics.”

One of Ms White’s all-time favourites remains Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, a book she first read at the age of seven and continues to revisit as an adult.

She also recommends classics like The Baby-Sitters Club alongside books by award-winning author Jason Reynolds, whose novels encourage meaningful conversations around topics such as friendship, identity and race.

While many parents worry about children spending too much time on screens during the holidays, Ms White doesn't see books as competing with technology.

“Books trigger a different part of the brain and require a different level of comprehension. They can't really be talked about in the same way as television or tablets. They are two different pastimes, just as running and playing chess are two different pastimes.”

For children who naturally gravitate towards interactive entertainment, she suggests choosing books that invite participation.

“The Wreck This series is really popular because it allows children to alter or even destroy parts of a journal or picture book by following guided instructions.”

If there's one conversation she has regularly with parents, it's about reluctant readers.

“There are many reasons children hate reading. They struggle with it. They haven't found a book they love. I've heard many parents talk about using reading as a punishment, which creates a negative association with it.”

Her advice is simple: meet children where their interests already are.

“If your child hates reading, the most important thing is to figure out why first. Then think about what they do enjoy. Sports? Find a book about their favourite sporting hero. Fashion and make-up? Try an activity book with paper dolls. Pranks? Get them a joke book. Food? Cookbooks.”

Summer also provides families with something often in short supply during the school year — time together.

Rather than seeing reading as a solitary activity, Ms White encourages families to make it something everyone can enjoy.

“Read books together,” she says. “Create fun reading nooks and dedicate time in your home so everyone reads. Get older children to read to younger siblings or neighbours. Encourage everyone to talk about the book they're reading at dinner.”

She also suggests introducing a little friendly competition.

“Host a fun challenge where the family earns a reward based on the total number of pages read. Or have everyone give a 'book report' talking about their favourite and least favourite book of the summer.”