Summer 2026 Reading Recommendations
- Connie Ohlmann
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Your Executive has scoured their bookshelves and reading wish lists to share our top recommendations with you over the summer for both professional and personal reading!
Aimee Alger's Recommendation (Drama Rep)
The Director's Craft: A Handbook for the Theatre" by Katie Mitchell
As we head into our final month of school before summer, I’ve got a lot of things to plan for during my break: a DnD camp, theatre camp, casting and starting rehearsals for our community theatre fall production, and my winter school play, which we’ll start right in the first week back to school! With all of this in mind, and as I take on more responsibility as a director, I want to focus on learning and bettering myself. Along with some light reading just for fun, I also have on my TBR list “The Director’s Craft: A Handbook for the Theatre” by Katie Mitchell. Having started directing school shows as a teenager, I’ve learned so much through in-person direction that I don’t often stop to think internally about my practice, and I want to take more time on that this summer. I’m hoping this book will reaffirm some of the things I have been doing for many years, while also giving me new insights and ideas to consider as I continue to add more theatre into my life. If you have any summer theatre reads you’re planning to get to this summer, send them my way!
This school year has been a tough one for all of us, so I hope you get some well-deserved rest and recuperation this summer and take some time off for yourself. See you all in September!
-Aimee
Anna Trip's Recommendation (Journal Editor)
The Art Book for Children by Ferren Gipson, Amanda Renshaw, and Gilda Williams
Purchase Link:
The Art Book for Children is an engaging and visually rich introduction to artists, artworks, and artistic styles from around the world. Featuring 60 artists across a wide range of mediums, time periods, and cultures, this book encourages readers to look closely, ask questions, and think creatively about visual art. I would recommend this book as an excellent resource for sparking classroom discussions, introducing artists in an accessible way, and inspiring creative inquiry in students. The large, colourful reproductions and conversational writing style make complex artistic ideas approachable for kids while still offering depth and inspiration for educators.
Amanda Noullett's Recommendations (Generalist Rep)
BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert
This came out several years ago, 2016 to be exact, gosh how did a decade pass already since I read this. Regardless of the date, I think this is a really thought provoking book on the creative process...and that magical element of creativity.
Kodaly Today Handbook Series by Micheal Houlahan, Philip Tacka
I just discovered this series recently, although I love Orff, I found I leaned more towards Kodaly in my music teaching over the last few years. Each book is for a specific grade level, starting as early as Kindergarten and goes all the way to Grade 5.
Author: Susin Nielsen
Literally any book by this Canadian author I would recommend for personal enjoyment. Susin writes predominantly YA literature, I just discovered her recently, she creates super quirky characters, relatable storylines and they are a nice quick read over a weekend.
Snap (2025)
Tremendous Things (2021)
No Fixed Address (2018)
Optimists Die First (2017)
We Are All Made of Molecules (2015)
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen (2012)
Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom (2010)
Word Nerd (2008)
Victoria Reid's Recommendations (Dance Rep)
The Mindful Dance Teacher: Psychology-Based Tools for Inspiring Dancers by Liva Ornicane
I recently came across this book while researching dance education resources, and the title stopped me in my tracks, especially the phrase “inspiring dancers.” So many of my students are deeply self‑critical and self‑conscious, especially during the already‑challenging teen years. Even though dancers can project confidence onstage, many struggle to feel that confidence internally. I’m always looking for ways to support them more mindfully and help them build a genuine, grounded sense of self.
What immediately drew me into this book is that, within the first few pages, it offers practical classroom activities and tools, strategies I had never considered before. These quick, accessible ideas help nurture growth mindset, mindfulness, and authentic confidence in students. I’m excited to dive deeper into this one, not only because it’s full of things I can start using in class right away, but also because it reads like a thoughtful, reflective piece of writing, perfect for a relaxing summer read.
The author also offers a free downloadable resource, The Attuned Class: 7 Mindful Starters for Intentional Teaching. If you’re looking for simple, powerful ways to begin your classes with more intention, I highly recommend checking it out. Download this resource here.
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