Just Open a Book (Free Printable Poem)
Did you know that May is “Get Caught Reading Month?” That’s a great goal for families, don’t you think?
Reading is a pastime I want to encourage in my children. But it is also one I actively cultivate in myself.
As we take a break from most of our school subjects during the summer months, we have more time to devote to reading. And we’re free to explore books and subjects that interest us but that we haven’t time for during the school year.
While I’ve read lots of great novels aloud to my children, non-fiction titles have always been the mainstay of my personal reading. But I’m challenging myself to read more fiction this summer, even when I’m just reading for my own pleasure.
My husband convinced me years ago that reading fiction is good for you. And, just as he predicted, I’ve benefited in significant and surprising ways when I devote time to doing so.
That’s the gist of the following little poem I wrote. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Just Open a Book
When you’re feeling kind of lonely,
Or the rain has spoiled your plans,
Or a long and boring day left
Extra time upon your hands,
And you spot a nice collection
In a quiet reading nook,
Peruse the shelf, then lose yourself
In the pages of a book.
If you’re itching for adventure
In some strange, exotic place,
Or you long to sail the seven seas,
Or rocket into space,
Or cast your lot with pirates,
Buried treasure for to look,
You’ll score the loot, plus more, to boot,
In the pages of a book.
– Jennifer Flanders
Isn’t that fun? I made a printable version, as well, which you can download by clicking the image or button below:
Reading is a wonderful pastime, and one I hope my children will pursue with a passion this summer. If you feel the same way, check out the following related articles, or snag a copy of my Reading Rewards Print Pack, which contains this poem and lots of other creative resources.
It’s designed to help cultivate the inner bookworm in your kids, whether they’re reluctant readers or devour every book they get their hands on!
Related Posts on Reading
Interested in finding other ways to motivate your children to spend more of their free time reading? Check out these posts:
- 25 Ways to Encourage Literacy – Want to raise a bunch of bookworms? Try these tips for getting your kids excited about books.
- Reading Rewards Programs for Kids – Newly updated link list! I’ve included summer reading clubs, as well as incentive programs that run during the school year.
- 9 Things We Learn Reading Fiction – Some life lessons can be communicated through storytelling more effectively than through any other means.
- Ditching Digital Devices in Favor of Reading – Our family used this time chart when our children were younger to encourage reading and limit time spent on electronic media. (You may want to adjust the time ratios for older kids.)
Thank you so much for this. I love this poem and Julis Donaldson books.
You’re welcome, Liz. I do, too!
Thanks so much! This is one of my favorite posts, 🙂 there’s not much better than books & reading! I always wait for the Books-A-Million summer reading every year. I’m so disappointed it’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid this year 🙁 Darn!
You’re welcome, Amy. I’ve never read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but I guess it’s popular. I’ve found a new (to me) children’s author that I do really like, though: Dandi Daley Mackall. We read her book Just Sayin’ last month and loved it and are halfway through Larger-Than-Life Lara right now, which I may end up liking even better, if that’s even possible. I got both books for FREE through Tyndale House’s My Reader Rewards Program. If you aren’t already a member, you should definitely check it out. Membership is 100% free. You’ll get your first 25 points (and I’ll get 10) when you sign up through this affiliate link: Yes, I want to join now!
Good timing 🙂 I did subscribe through your link and I have had 105 points sitting there analyzing what to purchase with them for months?. When it comes to books I want to make a good decision ?. So now that I have a recommendation I’ll happily order it, thanks! And yes, I signed up through your blog of course 😉
That’s great to hear, Amy. Let me know which one you ordered and what you thought of it when you’re through. They have an adult novel by the same author available right now, too: With Love, Wherever You Are. I ordered that one, as well, and plan to read it once I’ve finished Larger-Than-Life Lara. I’m trying to break out of my preference for non-fiction and broaden my reading horizons a little this summer. Ha!