It’s summertime and the living is easy — so when it comes to your child’s vacation reading, consider making it as light and fun as a summer’s day. It’s a proven fact that reading during the summer can help a child retain skills learned during the school year, but kids’ reading does not have to be a chore. It can be entertaining and enjoyable.

Start the summer off with a bang with Toys Go Out, being the adventures of a knowledgeable Stingray, a toughy little buffalo and someone called Plastic, by Emily Jenkins. This runner-up for last year’s Rhode Island Children’s Book Award is a must-read, or read-aloud, for all ages. It’s the story of Lumphy, StingRay and Plastic, three stuffed animals who live with a young girl and have extraordinary adventures involving peanut butter, the beach and, most important, each other. The relationship among the three friends is infectious and will draw in the youngest listeners while the humor will appeal to independent readers.

Independent readers will also enjoy Peggy Gifford’s Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little. It’s the day before school starts and Moxy has still not started her summer reading. Her twin brother, whose photographs illustrate the story, finished it on the first day of vacation but Moxy has a lot to do before she can settle down to read. Will she finish the book before school starts? Will she even start it? Or will she be too busy planting a peach orchard, training the dog and cleaning her room? Procrastinators everywhere will relate to and delight in this story.

Gary Paulsen, the perennially popular author of Hatchet, has recently published a much lighter story. Lawn Boy is the tale of a boy who starts a mowing business after his grandmother gives him an old riding mower for his 12th birthday. He’s happy to make some extra cash but when he meets Arnold, who offers to help with the business, Lawn Boy ends up making much more than he bargained for.

Another take on the summer moneymaking scheme is The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies. Like Moxy Maxwell, it takes place right before school begins. Evan is starting fourth grade and unfortunately so is his younger and smarter sister. The two start a competition to see who can make more money selling lemonade, and as the tricks and sabotage escalate it turns to all-out war.

If your reader isn’t quite up to more involved chapter books, Witch Way to the Beach, by Barbara Mariconda, from the Yearling First Choice Chapter Book series, is an enjoyable place to begin. Consisting of four short chapters with large type and frequent illustrations, it’s ideal for those transitioning to chapter books. It’s the story of two cousins, Constance, who does not like the beach, and Drusilla, who insists that her cousin will enjoy it if only she’ll give it a try.

Even the youngest children can enjoy some fun beach reads. Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, by Melanie Watts, is the latest in the Scaredy Squirrel series, each about an anxious squirrel afraid of just about everything.

In this outing, Scaredy knows that the beach is a frightening place with seagulls, jellyfish and germs, but he faces his fears and is a better squirrel for it. Children with their own fears will sympathize with Scaredy and take courage from the fact that he does not let his fears stop him from living his life.

For another book for the younger set, one with a point of view rarely seen, take a peek at Bats at the Beach. Author-illustrator Brian Lies presents the beach at night but with all the pleasures you enjoy during the day. The illustrations of bat-size lawn chairs and little bats wearing water wings are priceless, while one of the bats hanging from the ceiling of the snack bar offers a fascinating perspective.

If your child prefers informational books, there are many outstanding titles great for whiling away a summer day. Did You Ever Wonder About Things You Find at the Beach?, by Vera Vullo Capogna, has some great information about the plants and animals that might be found on a trip to the seashore.

If your child is a little older or you want more detail, try Seashells in My Pocket: a child’s nature guide to exploring the Atlantic coast. Judith Hansen has done an excellent job of presenting the shells and other wildlife that can be found at your local beach. This third edition sports new illustrations and a brainteaser section.

Finally, since your child is enjoying so many wonderful books, drop by your local library and sign up for the summer reading program. Each community has its own requirements but they almost all involve prizes, passes for admission to local attractions and a great sense of accomplishment for the participating children. Plus it will give them a leg up in the fall when that dreaded word comes around again – school!

Edna Hutchins is youth service librarian at the Cranston Public Library.

Library notes

Elina Nanikova will exhibit her acrylic-on-canvas landscapes and skyscapes at the Cranston Public Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., through July 31.

The library is offering drop-in craft programs that provide all the needed materials and don’t require advance registration: Ladybugs, today; Wriggly Caterpillars, next Thursday; Frog Sun-catcher, Thursday, July 17;

The William Hall Library, Cranston, will host two children’s plays next Tuesday, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Children 5 and older are invited to see Skupper-Duppers, an interactive play about pirates, and Seagirl, which is based on a Chinese folktale. The performances, by the La Salle Academy theater department, and are free and open to the public. Call (401) 781-2450 for more information.

Talespinners, at the Cranston Public Library, will be offered on Tuesdays, July 8-Aug. 5, at 6:30 p.m. for elementary children. Registration is required. To register, call 943-9080, Ext. 5.

As part of the summer reading series at the East Greenwich Free Library, Peirce Street, Christopher “Kavi” Carbone, a storyteller, will present “Spiders, Mosquitoes & Bugs — Oh My!” next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for families with children ages 4 to 12.

Marvin Novogrodski will present a story on bugs and outdoor exploration next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Louttit Library, 274 Victory Hwy., West Greenwich.

The adult book discussion group will meet Tuesday, July 15, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Born on a Blue Day, by Daniel Tammett.

A free retirement income planning seminar will be held Tuesday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. Call (401) 397-3434.

Evening Storytimes will be held at the Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Rd., on Wednesdays, July 9-Aug. 13, at 6:30 p.m. for children ages 3 to 8. There will be thematic stories, fingerplays, activities and crafts. Children may wear their pajamas. For more information, call (401) 822-9102.

Children are invited to drop by the William Hall Library, 1825 Broad St., Cranston, during July to check on the progress of the butterflies that are being raised. A butterfly release party will be held Tuesday, July 22, from 2 to 3 p.m. There will be stories, refreshments, and a butterfly craft, and then the children will help release the butterflies. To register for the party, call (401) 781-2450.

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