Are you ready to “Dream Big – Read!” this summer?  Maybe you were done planning your program February. Maybe you’re mostly done, but have a few more details to iron out.  If you’re like me, you make the big plans ahead of time, and work out the details a bit more last minute.  Wherever you are in your plans, you may want to take a look at the links below.  Maybe you’ll find an alternative to that mediocre book in your owl storytime, or a craft to replace one you may not have been thrilled with.  Who knows what you’ll find?

CSLP—

Beyond the manual, the Cooperative Summer Library Program (CSLP) website is the place to go for additional resources, graphics, fonts, and more. You do have to register to access all of the resources, but registration is free to anyone working in a NH public library.

[ edit: See Ann’s comment for information about the CSLP forums. ]

Books—

TeachingBooks.net has a decent list of books that go with the 2012 theme.  (Guess what?  You can find it on the CSLP website!)  Also, Ann Hoey had some suggestions on her Youth Services blog a few months back.

Flannel boards—

If you like to use flannel/felt stories and activities in your storytimes, there is no better resource than Flannel Friday.  Every Friday, a growing number of children’s librarian bloggers share their latest project, or an old favorite.  In March, they held a Dream Big – Read! Flannel Friday Extravaganza with bunches of night-themed flannel stories, as well as other programming ideas.

Crafts, decorations, and program ideas—

If you’re not using Pinterest as a programming tool, you are missing out.  Haven’t heard of it?  It’s a way to visually bookmark things you find on the web, but it adds a social aspect—you can view other people’s pins, follow people you like, and even “re-pin” things that others have posted.  Pinterest is a favorite of many children’s librarians across the internet, and it’s bursting with summer reading ideas.  I re-pinned some of my favorites as an example, but to each her own—I’m sure you will find ideas that I may have passed over.  Searching for “summer reading 2012” or “dream big read” or “cslp” will show you just how much is out there.

And for those of you who finished planning in February, you’ll be happy to know that there are people who are already getting started on their 2013 “Dig into Reading” plans!  Go crazy and get a jump on 2013!

What other resources have you used for your summer reading plans?  Tell us in the comments!