All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too. I believe reading over the summer is so important, and keeping kids interested in reading by finding books that are relevant and full of topics that they are interested in is very important. Kids should be reading at least 20 minutes every day, and I hope that these books offer you ideas to keep your kids reading and learning all summer.
Look for these posts every Friday. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and the tags. There will be books from some of my favorite publishers as well as books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.
To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.
THE GREAT POLLINATOR COUNT
By: Susan Edwards Richmond
Illustrated by: Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Published: April 15, 2025
Publisher: Margaret Quinlin Books/Peachtree Publishing
Fiction
Fictional stories that include options for learning make the reading and learning experience so much more enjoyable for kids. Kids can read and learn about the various pollinators and then go outside to a local park, nature center, or their own backyard for a hands-on learning experience.
In the fictional story, Mellie and Sylvie invite their friend, Jason, to the Science Club at school. Jason assumes he will be learning about dinosaurs or sharks, but instead, they will be participating in the Great Pollinator Count. Jason isn’t too interested in counting bugs. He doesn’t like bugs that sting him.
Susan Edwards Richmond worked with Becky Griffin of the University of Georgia Extension to create this book and bring awareness to improving the habitats for pollinators. Due to diseases, pesticides, and loss of habitats, the pollinator population has been greatly affected. In 2019, Becky launched the first Pollinator Count in Georgia, partnering with schools, nature centers, botanical gardens, garden clubs, universities, and more. The census now includes Florida, North and South Carolina, and Georgia.
Accurate illustrations of both the pollinators and the plants, along with the fictional story, will get kids excited to go outside and look for the pollinators. Even if, like Jason, your child is a little unsure about watching bugs, being outside and watching them work hard to collect the pollen will get them excited to be part of the effort to save the pollinators. It will be hard not to get excited about a honey bee or bumblebee like Mellie does in the story.
Kids will learn about the various plants that the pollinators love and how to spot a pollinator in their garden. The end of the book includes detailed illustrations and information about all the insects, as well as where to find more information on the plants mentioned in the book. It isn’t too late to plant one of these special flowers, and even if you don’t get any pollinators this summer, I bet you will next summer!
Click HERE to purchase a copy of THE GREAT POLLINATOR COUNT
