Summer Reading for Children Under 10: Building Empathy, Imagination, and Family Bonds

Eugene Roginsky
Jun 5
3 min read

Summer is a time when routines loosen, and families have the chance to slow down, connect, and enjoy unstructured time together. One of the most powerful ways to use this season meaningfully with young children is through reading—not just as a solitary activity but as a shared experience that builds empathy, strengthens emotional intelligence, and deepens the parent-child bond.

For children under 10, reading can be more than practice for school—it can be an emotional playground, a launching pad for imagination, and a way to better understand themselves and others. When we invite children to read with us, talk with us about what they’ve read, and even create stories of their own, we create space for growth that goes far beyond literacy.

The Heart of the Story: Empathic Reading

Empathic reading means going beyond “What happened in the story?” and instead asking the little readers questions like:

“How do you think the character felt when that happened?”
“Have you ever had a day like that?”
“What would you have done? Who could you talk to?”
“How might deep breathing have helped in that moment?”

These types of questions guide children to reflect on their own emotions and experiences while learning how to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. They also create an opening for parents and children to talk about coping tools like talking to an adult, naming their feelings, or using calming strategies like breathing or drawing. Have fun with this!

Empathy-Building Books to Read This Summer

All available at GrowingWithStories.com

Ira’s Adventures: The Big Flood Rescue: A funny story about bravery, teamwork, and helping others in times of crisis. This book includes built-in empathy questions and simple projects families can do together making it a great hands-on reading experience that inspires emotional reflection and action.

Aria’s Song: A lyrical and touching fairytale filled with magical creatures and universal human themes. With a surprise ending, this story celebrates a child’s sense of wonder and encourages self-expression, quiet strength, and emotional discovery. Perfect for children who struggle to find their voice, Aria’s Song opens the door to meaningful discussions about imagination, resilience, and the courage to be oneself.

Eva’s Memory Garden: Centered around themes of grief, remembrance, and healing, this touching adventure story includes a surprise ending and celebrates the timeless love between a daughter and her father. Gently helping children understand loss while honoring cherished memories, it’s ideal for sparking conversations about emotions, family, and love.

Beyond the Book: Make Summer Reading an Experience

Books don’t need to stay indoors. You can transform reading into a multisensory bonding experience:

Reading Picnics: Pack your child’s favorite books and a few snacks. Head to the park or the backyard and read under a shady tree.

S’mores & Stories: Make s’mores and gather around a fire pit (or a flashlight!) for a family read-aloud night. Ask questions about how the characters felt or what they learned.

Character Dress-Up Day: Let your child dress up as a favorite character from a book and act out scenes. Ask how the character felt in different moments and what choices they faced.

Field Trip Extensions: If you're reading about animals—visit the zoo. Reading about kindness? Bake treats for neighbors. Stories about nature? Go on a trail walk and write your own nature poem.

Reading BBQ: Host a casual backyard cookout where everyone brings a book to read aloud. Share thoughts, laughs, and story-inspired ideas.

Writing a Story Under the Stars: Bring out a journal, a flashlight, and a blanket. Lie under the sky and make up a story together. Let your child lead. Ask, “What’s your character feeling?” or “How will they solve the problem?”

Create Your Own Stories Together

Story creation is just as powerful as reading. When kids invent characters and work through conflicts in stories, they practice empathy, problem-solving, and emotional awareness.

Ways to support this:

Use open-ended prompts: “A girl who hears stars talking to her…” or “A bird with one wing finds something magical…”
Draw story scenes together.
Make a “Family Story Journal” with weekly entries.
Let your child be the illustrator, narrator, or even the book designer!

Final Thought: Reading as an Emotional Bridge

When parents read with children, they’re not just helping with literacy—they’re building emotional fluency, trust, and connection. Summer gives families the time and space to deepen those bonds. So don’t worry about finishing a certain number of books. Instead, focus on the stories that spark conversation, laughter, and reflection. Let summer reading be a launch-pad for empathy, creativity, and closeness.

Because the best summer stories don’t end when the book closes—they begin with the memories you make together. -- Eugene Roginsky

Want to Learn More?

For more on how reading helps children grow emotionally, academically, and socially, visit: