Our local library is running a Summer Reading Challenge through Beanstack, and I have to say, it's been such a wonderful motivator for my son. He has absolutely blown the reading goal out of the water, far exceeded the challenge, and still wants to keep going.

He's reading much more willingly, picking up books on his own without being asked, and taking the initiative to read throughout the day. It's been incredible to watch his excitement grow as he tracks his progress and reaches one milestone after another.

This has been a great reminder that the right encouragement can make a huge difference. Sometimes a simple reading challenge is all it takes to help a child build confidence, develop lasting reading habits, and realize just how much they're capable of.
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Beanstack is an online reading platform that helps schools, libraries, and families encourage children to read through fun challenges, reading logs, and achievement badges. Instead of relying on quizzes or tests, it motivates students by letting them choose books they enjoy while tracking their reading progress and celebrating milestones.

Parents and caregivers can use Beanstack to log books or reading minutes, join reading challenges, and monitor their child's progress from home. Many schools and libraries use the platform to build consistent reading habits, making it easier for families to support literacy, stay engaged with their child's learning, and foster a lifelong love of reading. 

15Worksheets.com is a free online resource that provides printable worksheets to help students practice and strengthen skills in subjects like reading, writing, math, and science. It's designed to be simple for parents to use, with easy to browse categories that let you quickly find the right materials for your child.

​You can print worksheets at home for extra practice, homework support, or review of key concepts. The activities help reinforce what students are learning in school while building confidence at their own pace. It's a convenient way to support learning without needing to create materials yourself.

Hoopla is a free digital media service that gives you access to audiobooks, ebooks, comics, movies, TV shows, music, and even magazines with just your library card. Everything syncs across your devices so you can stream instantly or download titles to enjoy offline. I love how easy it is to use and how much content is available, from bestselling books to family-friendly films. It really puts your library at your fingertips, anytime and anywhere, making it one of the best resources for both entertainment and learning. ​Be sure to check if your local library or library network participates in Hoopla so you can take full advantage of everything it offers.

Libby is a free app that lets you borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines right from your local library. It’s easy to use and works across all your devices, so you can read or listen anywhere, even offline. You can also send books to your Kindle, listen in the car, and keep track of your to-be-read list with tags and holds. I love how it makes discovering new books simple and fun, while reconnecting you to your library’s amazing digital collection. If you enjoy reading or listening on the go, Libby is definitely worth downloading.

We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is an incredible nonprofit working to make sure every child can see themselves in the stories they read. They support diverse writers, strengthen the publishing pipeline, and help get inclusive books into classrooms and communities nationwide. I love that they are not just recommending books but actively helping create and distribute them.
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If you’re a parent building a home library or a teacher refreshing your classroom shelves, their Find Diverse Books resource is a great place to start. It’s worth exploring if you want meaningful stories that grow empathy, literacy, and connection in kids.

Little Lions Literacy is an educational publishing company offering alphabet books, decodable readers, curriculum, and early literacy resources designed to help preschool and elementary students learn to read with confidence. Their structured Scope & Sequence and phonics-based materials make instruction simple, engaging, and easy to implement, and their resources align with well-known programs like Fountas & Pinnell, IMSE, Fundations, UFLI, Heggerty, and SIPPS. Whether you're a classroom teacher or homeschooling parent, Little Lions Literacy provides practical, research-based tools to support strong foundational reading skills.

The Schomburg Center’s Black Liberation Reading List for Kids at the New York Public Library is an amazing resource for parents and educators looking to expand children’s reading with books that reflect Black history, culture, and liberation. Curated by library experts, this list highlights powerful stories that celebrate Black voices, experiences, and perspectives in age-appropriate ways. I love using this list to find meaningful reads that build empathy, spark discussion, and help kids connect with a broader view of history and identity. If you’re intentional about inclusive reading and want high-quality, thoughtfully chosen titles, this is definitely worth exploring.

Diverse BookFinder is a fantastic resource for parents and educators who want to find books that reflect the rich diversity of our world. This searchable collection features children’s and young adult titles with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) characters, spanning picture books through middle grade and YA novels. I love how easy it makes discovering inclusive, representative reads that help children see themselves and others in stories. Whether you’re building a classroom library or picking out books for bedtime, Diverse BookFinder is a go-to tool for finding amazing books that celebrate all kinds of voices.

Black Baby Books is a wonderful resource for parents and educators who want to make sure Black children see themselves reflected in the stories they read. The site makes it easy to discover and purchase high-quality children’s books featuring Black characters, helping families build inclusive home and classroom libraries without hours of searching.

What’s especially great is that Black Baby Books also supports indie Black children’s book authors, helping their stories reach a wider audience. You can explore curated book recommendations, suggest titles for inclusion, or choose to purchase through Amazon or independent booksellers via their Bookshop store. If you are intentional about representation and meaningful literacy experiences, this is absolutely a resource worth checking out.

​Freading is an ebook service that lets you borrow and download books for free through your local library. If your library subscribes to the service, you can use your library card to access a wide range of titles right from home. It’s a simple way to enjoy ebooks without extra costs, and all you need to do is log in through your library’s website. Definitely worth checking with your library to see if Freading is available in your area.