Going to the library and checking out books can be fun for children over the summer months, but owning a book can be just as exciting. Books can be expensive, but having a few on hand is always great and can foster a love of reading. Children can receive free books through the book giveaway on Cherrios cereal from General Mills (look for specially marked packages), from school, or through local programs such as the one sponsored by Dolly Parton called Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

But these are not the only programs offering free books. Barnes & Noble is offering a free book to children who complete the Summer Reading Imagination’s Destination program. The program is simple to do and free for anyone. Here is how to earn your free book.

Earning a Free Book from Barnes & Noble

Step 1: Visit Barnes & Noble to download and print the Reading Journal.

Step 2: Have your child read any 8 books and record them in the Reading Journal.

Step 3: Include the Title and the Author in the Reading Journal and a short statement to whom you would recommend to read each book and why.

Step 4: Fill in the information on the Journal (Student Name, school, grade, etc.).

Step 5: Take the completed Reading Journal to any Barnes & Noble store between May 24 and September 6 to receive one of the free books listed on the Reading Journal.

It’s that simple! This program encourages your child to keep reading throughout the summer and provides them with another book to continue reading into the next school year. Reading during the summer months can help children maintain or advance their current literacy skills and helps them to retain many of the new skills they learned during the previous school year. The Barnes & Noble site also offers parent activity kits and free educator kits to assist in literacy programs.

Do you have any suggestions to encourage your child to read during the summer? What programs are you using as incentives for summer reading? Feel free to post questions or comments