Design Your Own Reading Log for the School Year ✏️📚
- Rea Weeks
- Aug 23
- 3 min read
There’s just something magical about a fresh school year, isn’t there? New supplies, new routines, and a brand-new chance to make learning fun and meaningful. If you (or your kids, students, or even book club!) are diving into the year with a goal to read more, a reading log is the perfect way to stay on track.
The best part? You don’t need to buy one—you can design your own in Canva! Not only is it customizable, but you can make it match your style, your classroom theme, or even your favorite books. Let’s walk through how to create a reading log that’s as functional as it is fun.
📖 Why a Reading Log Matters
A reading log isn’t just a piece of paper with titles and page numbers. It’s a tool to:
Encourage consistency in reading.
Track progress over the school year.
Celebrate milestones and achievements.
Help kids (or yourself!) reflect on what they’ve read.
And honestly? There’s something so satisfying about filling in those little boxes and watching the list grow.
🎨 Step 1: Choose Your Layout
Open Canva and search for “reading log” or start from a blank page. Think about what format works best for you:
A simple list with columns for book title, author, and pages.
A tracker-style layout with boxes to check off or color in.
A themed page (like “bookshelf” illustrations where you fill in titles as you read).
✏️ Step 2: Add Your Headings
Decide what you want to track. Common headings include:
Book Title
Author
Start Date / Finish Date
Pages Read
Rating or Favorite Quote
You can keep it straightforward or add extra personality with a “Did I like it?” smiley face column or a space for doodles.
🌟 Step 3: Style It Up
Here’s where you get to have fun! Play with Canva’s fonts, colors, and clipart. Some ideas:
Use school-themed icons (pencils, books, apples).
Pick a color palette that feels cheerful and motivating.
Add decorative frames or banners to make it visually inviting.
📅 Step 4: Print or Go Digital
Once your design is finished, you can:
Print copies to use at home or in class.
Save it as a fillable PDF so students (or you!) can type directly into it.
Add it to a digital planner or tablet for on-the-go tracking.
🎁 Make It Fun for Kids
For younger readers, try adding reward spaces (like “When I fill in 10 books, I get a star!”) or turning the log into a challenge board. Reading feels more exciting when it doubles as a game!
🛍 Ready-Made Goodies for You
If you’d like to skip the design process and grab printables, journaling pages, and scrapbook supplies you can use right away, I’ve got you covered!
✨ Check out my shop here:
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💛 Final Thoughts
Designing your own reading log in Canva is simple, fun, and gives you total creative freedom. Whether you want something polished and minimal or playful and colorful, your log will inspire you (and your kids!) to pick up those books and stick with them all year long.
Here’s to a school year full of stories, adventures, and plenty of pages turned.
Happy designing + happy reading,
💛 Rea 🌻Creator of A Rea of Treasures
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