Foxborough Public Schools
2017 Summer Reading for
Students Entering Grade 1
Prevent the summer slide, read this summer!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Summer is here and many students are looking forward to a break from schoolwork, but summer is not a time to take a break from reading! Research tells us that when students don’t read for two months their skills regress. Reading even 4 or 5 books over the summer helps to prevent the summer slide. Elementary students should read, or be read to everyday. Summer reading helps students of all ages keep their skills sharp so they are ready when school begins again in the fall. Convincing students to pick up a book during the summer can be challenging with so many other distractions available, so we hope the suggestions and ideas below will help to encourage your child to read this summer.
Postcard and Reading Log
Attached, you will find a list of popular grade level titles to assist with book selection, a reading log and a postcard. After your child has read a few books of his/her choice this summer, have him or her complete the attached postcard by selecting one of the following:
- Draw a picture or write about your favorite part
- Tell a friend to read or NOT read this book because…
- This book reminds me of …
- Or, be creative and come up with your own response!
Then return the postcard to your child’s school by either mailing it, dropping it off at the main office, or returning it when school starts in September. Postcards will be on display in September to celebrate all of our summer readers and all students who return a post card and/or reading log will receive a certificate of achievement.
Visit the Boyden Library
We have included a copy of the Boyden Library’s summer activities calendar. There are a variety of fun filled activities planned at the Boyden this summer for students of all ages, so please take a look as you won’t want to miss taking advantage of these free programs!
Access the TumbleBook Library®
The TumbleBook Library® is a library of animated, talking picture books that can be read or read to you. It is accessed through the Boyden Library’s website and with your library card you get free access! Just one more way to enjoy a book!
Borrow a PLAYAWAY® Audio Book
The Boyden also has many PLAYAWAY® Audio Books available for loan. A PLAYAWAY® is a small device that is preload with books. There are many titles available for all ages and abilities of readers. It is a simple way to listen to a book on the go and the novelty of it may just be what you need to keep your child reading this summer. These are great for those long summer road trips!
Take a StoryWalk®
Looking for something fun do to as a family this summer? Check out one of the StoryWalks® that have been set up at each of the elementary schools. A StoryWalk® combines the activity of walking with reading a book. It is a great outside family activity that involves everyone in the reading! StoryWalks will be set up at each school for the months of July and August. Burrell School’s StoryWalk® will be located along the nature walk on the right side of the school. The Igo and Taylor School StoryWalks® will be setup near the playgrounds. In addition to the local story walks, Foxborough resident and artist Nicole Vachon Hanlon has partnered with the Foxborough Cultural Council, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s North Attleboro Fish Hatchery and Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary to provide two new StoryWalks® for are area residents. These StoryWalks® are located at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill Parkway in Sharon and at the North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery at 144 Bungay Rd. in North Attleboro. So, please take some time to visit one or more of the StoryWalks® and let us know what you think. Remember to add the titles read on your the StoryWalk®to your summer reading log, too!
Visit the Common Sense Media Website (for parents)
Common sense media is a great resource for parents. This website has a list of summer reading challenges that can involve the whole family. Some of the suggestions include books to read before seeing the movie (both new releases as well as old goodies), books for summer travel, great audio books, beach reads, and the list of suggestions goes on. Take a few minutes to visit the website and see if there is something that appeals to your family.
We hope you have a wonderful summer and read, read, read!
BUILD A BETTER WORLD
2017 Summer Reading Program & Special Events
The Boyden Library Children’s Department
10 Bird Street~ Foxboro, MA ~ 508-543-1246~
Boyden Library’s summer reading program will run from June 26 - August 5. Registration begins June 19 in the Children’s Department. The program is mostly enjoyed by independent readers up to age 12 and pre-readers as young as 2.
Everyone will receive a reading log upon registration or can choose to use the log that comes with your school summer reading package. Use your log to keep track of your reading progress. The library encourages you to read at least 20 minutes per day. Then each week beginning June 26, show the library staff how much you’ve read and receive a great prize. In addition, the Friends ofthe Boyden Library will sponsor free events over the summer. Register where noted. You can register online by going to. Click on “Events Calendar.” Then find the program date and click “Register.” Or call the Children’s Desk at 508-543-1246.
SUMMER EVENTS:
A Circle of Songs with Hugh Hanley- Monday-June 19 at 11:15 a.m. Pre-K -age- 6. Register beginning June 5. Get ready to hop and dance to favorite songs. A lively interactive musical event. (Children 2 and younger must be seated in an adult’s lap). Community Meeting Room.
Creature Teachers – Thursday, June 29 at 3:00 p.m. Ages 4 & older. Register beginning June 16. Meet exotic animals from diverse habitats as well as some friendly animals you might find in your own backyard. Community Meeting Room.
Family Evening Story Time - Tuesdays, June 27- August 1 at 6:45 p.m. Ages 3-6. No Registration. Wear your pjs, bring a stuffed animal and share fun stories, interactive activities, thinking games, and more. Story & Craft Room.
Story Time – Wednesdays, June 28-August 2 at 1:30 p.m. Ages 3-6. No Registration. Join us for fun stories, interactive activities, thinking games, and more. Story & Craft Room.
Mother Goose on the Loose- Thursdays, June 29 -August 3 at 11:00 a.m. Ages 0-3. No Registration. Get little ones ready to read and learn. Children must be attended by a grown-up who will guide them through the activities. Story & Craft Room. MGOL will not be held on Teddy Bear Picnic Day (July 13/Rain date July 20.) Hope to see you at the Picnic!
(over for more!)
Build a Better Bird Feeder-Tuesday, July 11 at 3:30 p.m. Grades K and older. Register beginning June 28. Join Heather Simpson from Hands on Nature when she presents this awesome birding program. Learn about the birds all around us and build 2 simple feeders. 1 hour program. Community Meeting Room.
R CADE Entertainment-Wednesday, July 12. from 1:00—3:00 pm. Ages 13-18. No registration. A fun day of interactive game play. Try out retro consoles from yesterday, including NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, as well as Xbox and Wii. Community Meeting Room. (See August 9 below)
The Teddy Bear Picnic - Thursday, July 13 (rain date July 20) at 10:00 a.m. on Foxboro Common. All Ages. Bring your best bear, a blanket, and a morning snack and enjoy music by our friend Miss Tina Stone. To jump start our Holiday Discretionary Fund Book Drive, participants are invited to contribute a new children’s book. For public safety reasons, please leave pets at home. Registration is not required.
Build a Better Balloon Animal- Tuesday, July 18 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Ages 6 & older. Register beginning July 6. Learn the art of balloon twisting from Ed the Wizard. You’ll go home with lots of balloon animals that you created yourself! This program could last up to 90 min. Community Meeting Room.
Build a Better You: Yoga Camp– Tuesday, July 25 from 3:00- 5:00 p.m. Ages 6-11. Register beginning July 11. Sara Gottfried will show you how to stretch your limits. Build strength through yoga poses and sequences. Program will include music, games , stories, and a craft to compliment the yoga practice. Community Meeting Room. Yoga mats provided or you can bring your own.
Express Yourself with Baked Clay Emojis 2 with Miss Nilo- Thursday, July 27 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Ages 8-12. Register beginning July 13. Choose your favorite emoticons and transform them into paper clips and containers. Story & Craft Room.
Mrs. Dow’s Summer Art Cart – Thursday, August 3 at 4:00 p.m. Ages 5-9. Register beginning July 21. Join Mrs. Dow for a fun summer story and a craft made from recycled materials. Story & Craft Room.
Harry Potter Trivia Work-Out – Tuesday, August 8 at 3:00 p.m. Ages 8-12. Register beginning July 26. Ahern School Librarian Mr. Rossetti will test your trivia knowledge of all things Harry Potter and present other Harry Potter-related activities. Story & Craft Room
R-CADE Entertainment- Wednesday, August 9 from 1:00 -3:00 pm. Ages 8 & older. No registration. A fun day of interactive game play. Try out retro consoles from yesterday, including NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, as well as Xbox and Wii. Community Meeting Room.
For updates and additions, please visit and click on Meeting Rooms. Updates will also appear on the library’s Facebook page at
“Build a Better World” is sponsored by the Friends of the Boyden Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Boston Bruins. Special thanks go to The Friends of the Boyden Library for our great summer events and reading incentives.
Favorite Series
Pinkalicious Series by Victoria Kann
Henry and Mudge Series By Cynthia Rylant
Franklin Series By Paulette Burgeois
Skippyjon Jones series by Judith Schachner
Scaredy Squirrel series by Melanie Watt
Fancy Nancy series by Jane O’Connor
Pigeon Series by Mo Willems
Elephant and Piggy series by Mo Willems
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
Fly Guy by Ted Arnold
Clifford by Normal Bridwell
Curious George series by Margaret and H.A. Rey
Otis series by Loren Long
Pete the Cat series by James and Kimberly Dean
Danny and the Dinosaur series by Syd Hoff
Biscuit series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Pat Schories
Non-Fiction Titles
How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? by Steve Jenkins
The Moon Book (and other titles) by Gail Gibbons
Surprising Sharks by Davies
The Cloud Book by Tomie DePaola
Actual Size by Steve Jenkins
The Fly Guy Presents…
National Geographic for Kids books and magazines
Time for Kids magazines
Books by Jerry Pallotta
Favorite Fairy Tales
Hansel and Gretel
Rapunzel
Jack and the Beanstalk
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Gingerbread Boy
Rumpelstilskin
The Little Red Hen
Henny Penny
Favorite Nursery Rhymes
Humpty Dumpty
Baa, Baa Black Sheep
Little Miss Muffet
1, 2, Buckle My Shoe
Jack and Jill
Three Blind Mice
Little Jack Horner
Little Bo Peep
Little Boy Blue
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Hey Diddle Diddle
Old Mother Hubbard
Other Favorite Authors
Eric Carle
Mercer Meyer
Marc Brown
Dr. Suess
Jan Brett
Jan and Stan Berenstein
Laura Numeroff
Ezra Jack Keats
Mem Fox
Vera B. Williams
Kevin Henkes
Syd Hoff
Web Sites
* Beginning readers can try the alphabet games and stories at this web site.
* Mad-Libs to fill in, and web-books and comic books to read on-line
*Tumblebooks are animated storybooks for younger readers. This website also has audio books, puzzles, and games for children to play as well.
Foxborough Public Schools
Summer Reading Log
Grade 1
Student’s Name______
Title of Book / Author/Illustrator / Date completed / Student Initials / Parent/Guardian Initials1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Revised 5/2015