Get your kids reading — and get free stuff from local businesses

Somehow it's already the end of July and I'm beginning to wonder how summer is slipping by so quickly.

Of course my son has begun to notice the back-to-school sales and the circulars with school supplies, and he's noticed me buying school clothes. What has him really worried, however, is getting his summer reading hours logged.

Why would he care about that, you ask? Because he knows about all the great freebies and incentives to get kids reading. Here's a roundup:

Check out the summer reading program at the Ann Arbor District Library. Kids, teens and adults can read books and log in their time to receive a small registration prize and be entered to win a grand prize drawing later in the summer. Most libraries have some type of summer reading program. When our kids registered for the Ypsilanti District Library summer reading program, they received a certificate for a free Dairy Queen cone.

Barnes and Noble is giving kids in grades 1-6 a free book after they have read and logged eight books onto a summer reading passport. Just be sure to download your summer reading passport to get started. This program is running through Sept. 7.

Borders is double-dog daring kids 12 and younger to read 10 books to get 1 book free for their summer reading program. This program ends Aug. 26 and can be redeemed at Borders, Borders Express or Waldenbooks.

Kids who love to read should join Ann Arbor's Nicola's Books Summer Reading Bonanza. Stop by the store to pick up a Reading Bonanza form and start reading, then read 10 new books by Aug. 31 to receive a free book (up to $7.99 in value). Kids' names will also be put into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate!

It's not too late to participate in any of these great summer reading programs. I'm betting that many parents are already working with their children on their summer reading anyway. So keep it coming and get some great incentives for your kids' hard work!

Tammy Mayrend is a search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on low-cost local activities, events, and Ann Arbor area freebies for families at annarbormom.com She is currently working on reading book #3 for the adult summer reading program to hopefully set a good example to her children!