The 100 Picture Books For Summer Challenge

I know, I know, I want to simplify, but my need to Excel-spreadsheet-my-whole-life takes over, so ... I have to create some kind of a plan for summer. And then to make it harder, I'll call it a "challenge!"

But. In the interest of keeping it simple, I focused my plan around what we'd do anyway.

Read. And have fun.

Typically, we do a lot of reading daily. We read several books after breakfast, maybe more before naps, and definitely before bed. My son often sits down and starts reading on his own (hearts coming out all over!). Even the baby lies on his back waving a book around. I love it!

So our summer focus is going to be reading. I looked into a number of local library reading programs. But either they were geared for older kids, or they were focused around a lot of tasks to win prizes. I'm all for incentivized reading, but I can't keep up with programs that want kids to do seven tasks a week and check in weekly for a prize. I'm tired already!

Here's the BIG IDEA: Read 100 {different} picture books this summer to my children.

Here's the details:

• 100 different books (85 pre-selected {pictured above!}, 15 child's choice, but not the same as the 85!). 
• Books {mostly} revolve around a few themes
• For every book read, we will write the title on a cut-out shape (found at the Dollar Tree - 3 packs=100!) and create a book trail around the house! (Visual reminders are great for kids!). 
• For every 10 books read, go on a Family Adventure!
• Family Adventures relate to book themes. 

Here's our themes and ideas for corresponding adventures:

THEME: Vehicles (We aren't going to get through a summer without reading truck, train, and machine books!).

ADVENTURE: Attend the Touch-A-Truck event

THEME: Oceans & Fish
ADVENTURE: Visit the aquarium

THEME: Water, Beach, & Boats
ADVENTURE: Watch sailboats; Go to the beach (well, that was easy!)

THEME: Nature / Outdoors
ADVENTURE: Take a hike; Visit a park; Fly a Kite

THEME: Camping
ADVENTURE: Go camping (already going, might as well read some books about it!)

THEME: Character Building
ADVENTURE: Complete a kid-sized community service project (here's a huge list of community service ideas for kids!).

THEME: Animals
ADVENTURE: Visit the zoo; Visit a farm

The books I've selected include old favorites, but a lot of them are from our huge hoard stash collection of books that just somehow never make it into the "favorites" rotation. I'm trying to shed the light of day on these great but oft-neglected titles!

Oh and incidentally... there's exactly 100 days from now until Labor Day! So... it's possible to read one book a day starting now and get through one hundred books this summer!

Now if only I could read a hundred adult-sized books! Sigh! My goal for myself is ten.

Will your kids be participating in any summer reading programs? Share your book reading plans with us! Book recommendations are also fun!