Ah, summer. That magical stretch of time where bedtime becomes a suggestion, popsicles become a food group, and reading... well, let's just say the only thing most kids were reading was the pool rules sign (and even then, only under duress). Now, as the scent of freshly sharpened pencils fills the air, it's time to gently coax our young ones back into the wonderful world of books.

Fear not, parents and teachers! Rebuilding that reading habit doesn't mean cracking open an encyclopedia. The right stories can reignite curiosity, tickle funny bones, and, most importantly, make kids fall in love with learning all over again. Here's a handpicked list of 13 delightful pre-K through 2nd-grade reads that will help ease the transition and spark a joy for reading.

Corn is knee-high by the Fourth of July and ready to be harvested in September in the Midwest. Our family lived in the suburbs of Chicago, but some relatives had a farm in Northern Illinois. Subsistence farmers. This type of farming primarily grows food to feed themselves and their families. They use very low-tech methods. Hey, we're talking about the 1960s: no Wi-Fi, no cell phones, no computers, and no iPods.

Weddings have always been about love, family, and at least one grandma breaking it down to the Macarena like it's 1995. But the way we say “I do” has had more costume changes than a Broadway diva — from corsets and petticoats to bell-bottoms and bedazzled veils.

When my mom retired from her job at Abbott Labs at age 70, I was fortunate to be there for the occasion. My husband and three children had just moved back to Chicago, where I grew up and where my parents still lived. I left home at seventeen to attend college and never thought I would return. My husband and I, with kids in tow, bounced between Boston, Nebraska, and everywhere in between. But it was our Nebraska home that my parents said they could no longer visit. The trek was too difficult. 

The Fourth of July is more than just a celebration filled with fireworks, barbecues, and parades. It marks the birth of American independence and serves as a reminder of the values the country was founded upon—freedom, justice, and equality. For grandparents, it presents a special opportunity to pass on these important lessons to their grandchildren in a way that is heartfelt, age-appropriate, and memorable. Engaging in conversations about freedom can help shape a child’s understanding of their country, their rights, and their responsibilities as future citizens.

“Men and women aren’t equal; women are better,” my dad would often proclaim with a mix of pride and playful irony. It was a stance he had to adopt, considering the formidable women who ruled his world—not only five intensely strong-willed daughters who each brought their unique spark to the family but also a family business led by a powerful matriarch, my grandmother.

I never had the pleasure of meeting the original matriarch, Maryanna, who had laid the groundwork for our family legacy, but the vibrant, blue-haired powerhouse that was my grandmother was a force to be reckoned with. She kept everyone on task, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

Father’s Day is celebrated on various dates around the world, not just the familiar third Sunday of June observed in the United States. Take Portugal, for example, where Father’s Day is on March 19th. This tradition, rooted in Catholic culture since the 1500s, celebrates St. Joseph, the patron saint of fathers.

As America gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, this year's 4th of July offers a golden opportunity for us to start preparing the youngest generation for the milestone. It's more than fireworks and BBQ—it’s a time to reflect, connect, and teach. As grandparents, we hold a unique power to bridge the past and the future. And what better way to do that than with some old-school fun that stirs nostalgia while instilling national pride?