Boy reading with mom on the couch
2023 Summer Reading Program  All Together Now

Build relationship skills needed each and every day with each and every interaction. In our world today, emotional intelligence is vital to building relationships in both early childhood and adulthood. This year's STEM Imagination Guides focus on topics such as friendship, unity, and diversity to help children begin to build the skills needed each and every day with each and every interaction. 

Download All Imagination Guides

My Mouth is a Volcano Book Cover

My Mouth is a Volcano

Listening

STEM Connection: Echolocation

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Can Cat and Bird Be Friends? Book Cover

Can Cat and Bird Be Friends?

Kindness

STEM Connection: Scent Jars

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Thank You, Omu! Book Cover

Thank You, Omu!

Friendship

STEM Connection: Magnets

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Sorry (Really Sorry) Book Cover

Sorry (Really Sorry)

Unity

STEM Connection: Chain Reactions

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The Monster Parade Book Cover

The Monster Parade

Emotions

STEM Connection: Discovering Reactions with Emotions

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Sweet People Are Everywhere Book Cover

Sweet People Are Everywhere

Community

STEM Connection: Egg Science

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I Am a Kindness Hero Book Cover

I Am a Kindness Hero

Helpfulness

STEM Connection: Color Mixing

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Each Living Thing Book Cover

Each Living Thing

Stewardship

STEM Connection: Bug Hotel

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2022 Summer Reading Program  Oceans of Possibilities

Children are naturally curious about nature and science. Discover how you can foster an appreciation of the oceans and water conservation. The following books have been selected and paired with activities that provide opportunities for exploration and play to inspire creativity and wonder.

Cactus Hotel Book Cover

A House for Hermit Crab  

Hermit Crabs

STEM Challenge: How do hermit crabs breathe?

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 Guide

Big Red Barn Book Cover

Hey, Water!

Water Cycle

STEM Challenge: Can a water cycle be created?

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 Guide

Owl Babies Book Cover

My Ocean is Blue

Water Cycle

STEM Challenge: How to construct layers of the ocean?

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 Guide

Not Norman Book Cover

Pokey, the Turtle Patrol

Sea Turtles 

STEM Challenge: How do turtles design safe and sturdy spaces?

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 Guide

Hello Ocean Book Cover

The Rainbow Fish 

Fish

STEM Challenge: Why are fish fast?

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 Guide

I Don’t Want To Be a Frog Book Cover

Rocket Says Clean Up

Ocean Pollution

STEM Challenge: How can pollution be reduced?

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 Guide

The Great Kapok Tree Book Cover

The Treasure of Pirate Frank 

Ocean Adventures

STEM Challenge: How does a pirate learn science?

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 Guide

Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? Book Cover

The Sandcastle that Lola Built  

Sandcastles

STEM Challenge: How are sandcastles built?

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 Guide

2021 Summer Reading Program  Tales of Tails

Children are naturally curious about nature and science. Discover how you can foster an appreciation for animals and their homes. The following books have been selected and paired with activities that provide opportunities for exploration and play to inspire creativity and wonder.

Cactus Hotel Book Cover

Cactus Hotel

Desert

STEM Challenge: How does a cactus conserve water?

Download this STEM
Imagination Guide

Big Red Barn Book Cover

Big Red Barn

Farm

STEM Challenge: What is the best barn design?

Download this STEM
Imagination Guide

Owl Babies Book Cover

Owl Babies

Forest

STEM Challenge: How can you construct a bird nest?

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Imagination Guide

Not Norman Book Cover

Not Norman

House Pets

STEM Challenge: How can you design a safe and sturdy pet carrier?

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Imagination Guide

Hello Ocean Book Cover

Hello Ocean

Ocean

STEM Challenge: What is the best way to clean up an oil spill?

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Imagination Guide

I Don’t Want To Be a Frog Book Cover

I Don’t Want To Be a Frog

Pond

STEM Challenge: How can you use static electricity to make frogs jump?

Download this STEM
Imagination Guide

The Great Kapok Tree Book Cover

The Great Kapok Tree

Rainforest

STEM Challenge: How do leaves breathe?

Download this STEM
Imagination Guide

Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? Book Cover

Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear?

Tundra

STEM Challenge: How do arctic animals stay warm?

Download this STEM
Imagination Guide

2020 Summer Reading Program  Imagine Your Story

Fairy tales provide an excellent springboard that encourages children to generate ideas and problem solve. The following books have been selected and paired with activities that can be adapted based children’s ages.

Aladdin Book Cover

Aladdin

STEM Challenge: Create your own magic carpet using the power of magnets.

Download this STEM Storybook Guide

Cinderella Book Cover

Cinderella

STEM Challenge: Help Cinderella make it to the ball by creating a wind-powered coach.

Download this STEM Storybook Guide

Goldilocks Book Cover

Goldilocks

STEM Challenge: Decide which materials are “just right” for you in this sensory experiment.

Download this STEM Storybook Guide

Little Mermaid Book Cover

Little Mermaid

STEM Challenge: Examine the difference between salt and fresh water and why some items float and some sink.

Download this STEM Storybook Guide

Three Billy Goats Gruff Book Cover

Three Billy Goats Gruff

STEM Challenge: Help the Three Billy Goats Gruff build a raft to float by the grumpy old troll.

Download this STEM Storybook Guide

Three Little Pigs Book Cover

Three Little Pigs

STEM Challenge: Discover how weight affects how far and object will travel by huffing and puffing.

Download this STEM Storybook Guide

Thumbelina Book Cover

Thumbelina

STEM Challenge: Incorporate art with science by painting with the green pigments from plant leaves.

Download this STEM Storybook Guide

The Ugly Duckling Book Cover

Ugly Duckling

STEM Challenge: How quickly can your rubber duck make it to the finish line?

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4-H STEM Reading Connections Summer Presentations

This program is available to youth development and early childhood professionals, afterschool clubs, summer school and camps, libraries, and parents. Program staff will provide engaging learning opportunities to spark an interest in STEM concepts and skills.

We will adhere to a high-quality lesson plan that includes:

  • Introduction
  • Learning objectives
  • Opening questions
  • Activities
  • Physical fitness ideas
  • Material list
  • Book suggestions

Lesson plans are also adjusted to have early childhood components.

No endorsement of products or services by 4-H is intended or implied.

Want to request this program? Please contact us.

Cups of paint
Jackie Steffen Portrait

Jackie Steffen
Nebraska Extension in Cedar County
Early Childhood
jsteffen2@unl.edu

Sarah Roberts Portrait

Sarah Roberts
Nebraska Extension in Dixon County
Early Childhood
sarah.roberts@unl.edu