Summer reading is a time-honored tradition for good reason. It’s the perfect opportunity for kids to explore their own interests and read for fun, so they grow to love reading for its own sake.
I like to use our summer leisure time to read Catholic books as a family. We learn about our faith together in a gentle and enjoyable setting. Often we invite other families to join us in a children’s book club, too.
So you can imagine how happy I was when I heard about the “Ignatius Kids’ Summer Reading Challenge.”
The challenge is sponsored by Ignatius Press, one of the largest Catholic publishing houses. Winners of the challenge receive a free Catholic children’s book (um, yes please!).
“Our main goal of this challenge is to get kids reading great children’s literature this summer,” said Rose Trabbic, publicist for Ignatius Press.
The challenge is open from June 1-August 15 for kids ages 6-14.
Every child has the ability to win a prize, a free physical book from Ignatius Press, if they read 20 or more books from the book list. There are also some lovely printable prizes from Ignatius Press and @thelittleroseshop offered for those who read fewer than 20 books.
The challenge is based upon the principles and book lists of a really wonderful book, Before Austen Comes Aesop: The Children’s Great Books and How to Experience Them. It’s a delightful way to introduce your children to great Catholic literature, both old classics and modern gems!
You can sign your children up for the challenge here.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive an email with a packet with instructions, a curated book list, and reading log – plus a discount code for 25% off the list price of all of Ignatius Press’s children’s books. And these are definitely books you want to add to your home library!
There will also be a giveaway with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Anyone who signs up will be entered to win.
Giveaway items include lots of Ignatius Press books, plus donated items from @carrottoppapershop, @kerygmacandleco, and @sweetsequels. You can see the full list of prizes on their Instagram page!
I can’t think of a better way to spend a lazy summer afternoon than curling up to read great Catholic kids’ books together, perhaps on a picnic blanket under a shady tree after a busy morning at the pool or beach.
So I’m excited to sign up my kids. Let’s get reading!
And today we celebrate...