Sign up for the 2025 Summer Challenge: Wild Summer

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  This year's Read, Discuss, Do Summer Challenge: WILD SUMMER officially kicks off on June 2 and goes until August 11! This is a free reading challenge that pairs books with summer fun! Find all the information you need plus a bonus book list in this post , or sign up via this form . Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any of the weekly emails.  Week One: Bears  - Our special guest Bear shares some of his beary favorite books and activity ideas to help you have a beary great bookish (and bearish) summer. Week Two: Elephants - Our big guest shares some of her favorite books and ideas to help you make a big splash this summer.
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Summer Challenge Week NINE: Song and Dance!

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Welcome to week NINE of the Read, Discuss, Do! Summer Challenge! This week's theme is Song and Dance, and we hope you take the opportunity to read some books that have something to do with music or dance, books that make you feel like singing or dancing, or books that are so rhythmic that you could set them to music! Interpret the theme however you like.

Ideas for books to read: 

  • DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE by Laura Sassi, illustrated by Rebecca Gerlings. This sweet story is not only about opera, but about friendship and learning to accept help when you need it.
  • GOODNIGHT SONGS by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by various artists. This is a lovely book of lullabies/rhymes that are imaginative and soothing. The book comes with a CD of the rhymes set to music. If you can't find the book with a working CD, you can find the songs online.
  •  A DANCE LIKE STARLIGHT by Kristy Dempsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. This is a lyrical book about a young girl's dream of becoming a ballerina.
  • WE WILL ROCK OUR CLASSMATES by Ryan T. Higgins. This book is funny and is a nice story about a T-Rex named Penelope who overcomes her doubt in order to rock her classmates at the school talent show.
Ideas for things to discuss:
  • Do you have a favorite style of music? How about a favorite song?
  • Do you play an instrument? If you could learn any instrument, which would it be?
  • Have you ever performed a song or a dance for anyone? 
  • Do you enjoy dancing? How about watching people dance?
  • What kinds of musical performances have you seen? Did you enjoy them? 
  • Do you think you would enjoy seeing an opera or ballet? How about a rock concert?
Ideas for things to do:
  • Have your own song and dance party. This could include playing the "Just Dance" video game, karaoke, or even singing by a camp fire.
  • Write your own song! Choose a familiar tune and write new words. Perform it for your family and/or friends if you're brave enough.
  • Learn a dance!
  • Make your own musical instruments (see this previous post for some ideas).
  • Go to a concert or other musical/dance event.
  • Share your favorite songs with someone.
We hope you have a musical week!

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