Bringing Summer Reading to Life for Little Ones

One of the best gifts a parent can give a child is a lifelong love for books. Reading to infants, toddlers and preschoolers not only helps them develop the building blocks for reading, but also opens their imagination to new worlds. This summer, add to the fun of favorite books with great outings.

The Frog & Toad book series by Arnold Lobel is a popular early reading series enjoyed by generations of children. The simple stories capture the essence of friendship and fun. Celebrate the classic story this summer with these fun outings:

• A Year with Frog & Toad, showing June 16-Aug. 20 at the Coterie. The childhood favorite comes to life this summer on Coterie’s stage in a funny new musical. This Tony-nominated production tells the tale of friendship. The much-loved happy-go-lucky Frog and the sullen Toad experience a full year of fun with charming jazzy songs reminiscent

• of the 1920s. This is a delightful new musical for the entire family, and Coterie promises to bring its own brand of creativity and charm to the stage.
• Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO, 816.228.3766) is home to many frogs, toads and other native Missouri animals. The nature center offers great hands-on exhibits for young children to learn more about animals and their natural habitats. They even offer pond life classes through the summer for children to discover more about frogs and toads. To learn more about amphibians native to the areas, visit MDC.MO.gov/discover-nature/common-plants-and-animals/amphibians-and-reptiles/toads-and-frogs.

The Rainbow Fish book series by Marcus Pfister is a must for a toddler’s book collection. The colorful stories teach the value of friendship, sharing and caring about others with vibrant under-the-sea colors and illustrations. Embark on an underwater-inspired excursion with these outings:

• Meet sea animals face to face at Sea Life Aquarium (2475 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.471.4386), a favorite local attraction taking guests under the sea on a 2- to 3-hour journey from the fresh waters of the Missouri River, into the mighty Mississippi River, then out into the warm, blue, coral-strewn waters of the Caribbean Sea, ending in the deep, dark abyss of the Atlantic Ocean. Come nose to nose with sharks and enjoy astonishingly close views of everything from starfish and sea horses to graceful rays. A favorite is the tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel.

• Bass Pro Shops in Independence and Olathe and Cabela’s in Kansas City, KS, feature large fish tanks displaying native fish and turtles. Children love seeing the aquatic creatures up close and personal.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle delights children as you read it over and over again. Carle’s illustrations are imaginative and captivating for toddlers. See real caterpillars and butterflies on these outings:

• Powell Gardens (1609 NW U.S. Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO, 816.697.2600) is showcasing the “Nature Connects 2” this summer with giant Lego sculptures throughout the gardens, including a giant monarch! With acres of gardens to explore, this is always a great summer outing. You’ll see many butterflies when you visit, but the prime time to see the most in the region is the annual Festival of Butterflies (July 31-Aug. 2 and Aug. 7-9, 9:00-6:00 each day).
• Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead (13800 Switzer Rd., Overland Park, KS, 913.897.2360, FREE Mon.-Thu., $2/each Fri.-Sun.) is home to a variety of animals, but one of our favorite features is the butterfly garden, which includes wonderful “photo ops” for the kids who want to look like a butterfly or caterpillar.

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper is a classic tale of perseverance and confidence. What a confidence boost to young children to “think they can, think they can, think they can!” Take a ride on the rails at these local attractions:

• The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co. is a short line passenger railroad and demonstration museum. The BG&KC offers excursions running south from Belton on a 5-mile, 45-minute round-trip. Special events include hot dog, ice cream and pumpkin train rides.
• The Kansas City Northern Railroad offers open air train rides on a half mile of track for just 50 cents on weekends through September! The trains include one of the original Kansas City Zoo trains, a Manhattan Zoo train and a New York Zoo train. A highlight of the ride is a trip through the tunnel.

• Kansas City Zoo Train. The zoo features an open air large scale train. A highlight of the ride is a trip through the tunnel. Tip: Buy a gold or platinum FOTZ membership and enjoy free rides all year!
• Midland Railway in Baldwin City, KS, operates excursion trains on a line originally constructed in 1867. Train rides feature a more than 20-mile round-trip from Baldwin City via "Norwood, KS" to Ottawa Junction, KS, traveling through scenic Eastern Kansas farmland and woods via vintage railway equipment. The Midland features special events: Easter egg hunt train, day out with Thomas the Train, Maple Leaf Festival, Halloween trains and rides with Santa.
• Trains deliver your lunch at Fritz's Railroad Restaurant! This casual restaurant is one your children will not forget! Model trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant delivering burgers and fries to your table. Little engineers love the train decor and delight in the novelty.

Kristina Light, a self-confessed library-aholic, loves to share books with her daughters, and adding a field trip to the reading adventure makes it even sweeter!