Books open new worlds to children. This summer encourage your child to cultivate a love of reading with these incentive programs from local libraries and businesses!
Note: This list may not be reproduced online or in print without permission from KC Parent. If you have additions to this guide, email kristina@kcparent.com.
Library Summer Reading Programs:
Reading and listening to books and stories will open children’s minds to the fun of adventure with "Tails and Tales" the theme of the 2021 Library Summer Reading Programs across the Kansas City area.
Olathe Public Libraries
Olathe Public Library's Summer Reading Program launches on May 17! Explore the world of stories this summer with the Olathe Public Library. Fairy tales, folk tales, funny stories, scary stories, adventures, mysteries, and so much more. Open a book and discover a new world! All ages can track their reading online this summer to win prizes.
Kansas City Kansas Public Libraries
Tails & Tales: Kansas City Kansas Public Library Summer Reading Program on May 17 Pre-registration for the program begins in Beanstack and paper logs will be available for pick up June 1st-July 31st: Read and log your books! Find Tails and Tales at Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (KCKPL) with our Summer Reading Program! Readers of all ages are invited to participate by reading books, logging your books or minutes read, and completing online activities to earn a prize pack and earn entries into the grand prize drawing!
Mid-Continent Public Libraries
From June 1 through Aug. 24, the Mid-Continent Public Libraries Summer Learning Program will take place for kids and teens from birth to 19 years of age, and adults over 19. This year, Mid-Continent Public Library’s Summer Library Program is focused on reading at least 20 minutes every day! Daily reading is a great way to keep kids engaged and active during the summer and to combat learning loss and promote school readiness. To recognize Missouri’s Bicentennial in 2021, we want you to “Show Me” you read! Every reader (age 0-19) who reads for 20 minutes a day for 20 days will receive a free book and will be entered into a branch drawing to win a four-pack of tickets from one of the Library’s Community partners, including Science City, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, and the Kansas City Zoo! Read another 20 days, and you’ll get a second free book and be entered to win a grand prize from one of the Library’s Community partners. And, if you can read 20 minutes per day for another 20 days (total of 60 days), you’ll get a third free book and you’ll be entered into a branch drawing for a Kindle Fire! Adults (20+) can participate either for their own pleasure or to model good reading habits for children and teens in their home! If you read at least 20 minutes a day for 60 days between June 1 and August 24, you will earn a commemorative Summer Library Program enamel pin, plus a chance to win tickets from the Library’s Community Partners and Throwback Throwdown Concert tickets from KFKF. Prize drawings will take place after the program and will be conducted from all adult participants who complete the reading requirements and meet the winner criteria (live in the greater Kansas City area and have an active email address or phone number). Prizes must be picked up in person at branches. Online logging must be completed—or paper logs turned in—by August 24, 2021, to qualify for prizes.
Johnson County Libraries
June 5 - July 31: The Summer Reading Program is an initiative that aims to promote reading and literacy to children, teens and adults. Each summer, Johnson County Library offers programs and events connected to the Summer Reading theme, which this year is Tails and Tales. The theme is chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program and adopted by libraries across the country. The Summer Reading Program kicks off virtually Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m., with noted author and educator Kwame Alexander as the keynote speaker and live entertainment and trivia to follow. The grand finale of our 2021 Summer Reading Tales and Tails will be Saturday, July 31. We’ll showcase our contest winners, test our trivia mettle, and enjoy a special feature storytime with Sparkle the unicorn and friends. The program will include virtual events throughout the summer and contests. Like last year, Summer Reading books will not be distributed in at Library branches due to COVID-19 precautions. We will again work with community partners like school districts, rec centers and non-profit organizations to give away books at their events and locations. Visit jocolibrary.org for more information.
North Kansas City Public Libraries
During North KC Public Library Summer Reading Program, kids (birth-5th grade) are encouraged to read and log minutes to earn rewards. Complete five logs (2 hours each). For each log you complete after log 5, you'll earn a chance in a raffle drawing.
Bonner Springs Public Library
Sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Program starting June 1st! Complete your Bingo Board and return it to the Library for your prizes by the end of July! Bonner Springs Public Library Reading Program.
Cass County Public Library
Teens, and adults can earn books and other prizes at their local Cass County Public Library branch. Visit www.casscolibrary.org/SRP to sign up.
Summer Reading Programs at Kansas City area Businesses:
Summer Reading is also encouraged at businesses across the Kansas City area. Kids earn terrific prizes and incentives after completing their reading goals at these businesses:
Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Program
Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Program features great activity pages and incentives if you read 15 minutes a day and log your minutes. Visit to learn more about Feed your Brain Program.
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
May 4 - Sept. 4, get ready for an all-new Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza experience! This year, kids can build their avatar, make new friends, earn virtual rewards, and help unlock donations for kids with limited or no access to books by starting and keeping “reading streaks” in Scholastic Home Base when they read every day over the summer! www.scholastic.com/summer/
Sylvan Book Adventure
Ongoing free reading incentive program for K-8 students. They read books, take a comprehension quiz and earn points. They redeem points for prizes. www.bookadventure.com/home.aspx