2024 Summer Reading Programs & Incentives
It is that time again for Summer Reading!
Many of us have been equipped with assigned reading from our schools by grade level, and often it can be hard to get kids excited to do anything remotely resembling homework between the months of June and August. Luckily, there are some awesome tools at our disposal to help us with the motivation part!
A great starting point is your local parish library’s Summer Reading Program. These creative curriculums offer incentives, prizes, crafts and events. This year’s theme is Adventure Begins! You can participate by downloading the Beanstack app or asking your local branch for a reading tracker.
Library Summer Reading Programs by Parish
- Orleans Parish Library Summer Program
- Jefferson Parish Library Summer Program
- St. Tammany Parish Library Summer Program
- St. Charles Parish Library Summer Program
- St. Bernard Parish Library Summer Reading Program
In addition to the library, lots of national and even local businesses offer incentives for kids and grownups alike. Here are a few available in New Orleans this summer.
Reading & Literacy Programs
- Eat & Read at Melbas This famous poboy shop is home to an original and amazing literacy program where they regularly host authors for book signing events. On specific days, the purchase of a meal includes a free signed copy of their featured book. Follow them on Facebook for current events & upcoming authors.
- Story Time at Baldwin & Co Book Store This charming independent book store offers children’s story time every second Saturday of the month. RSVP for a free book! They also have a coffee bar and lots of events for adults, including financial literacy classes. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming activities.
- The Dog Days of Summer at Garden District Book Shop Offering happy hour events, dinner pop ups, and activities for all ages, stop by Garden District Bookshop any afternoon in June or July for the Dog Days of Summer. Follow them on Instagram for more information.
- Children’s Story Time at Redstick Reads Bookshop in Baton Rouge every Saturday morning! Also you can join their summer reading program by picking up a bingo card while you are there. Complete a row in any direction for a chance at winning a gift certificate, and receive even more prizes for a blackout card. Follow them on Instagram for more program information.
- Little J’s Donuts in Harahan offers a dozen free donuts for reading ten books this summer. Stop in and get a punch card. Follow them on Social Media for more information.
- Barnes & Noble Read 8 books this summer and fill out this simple journal. Bring in the journal between July 1st and August 31st to any Barnes & Noble location and choose a free book!
- Pizza Hut Camp BookIt! A more modern version of the program from our childhoods. Parents sign up and set summer reading goals for kids, working toward earning a free personal pan pizza.
- Chuck E Cheese Use this chart to mark off when your child reads every day for two weeks. Bring it in to a local branch and receive 10 free play tokens.
- Kellogg’s Feeding Reading Purchase a participating product and receive a certificate for 2 free books to keep or donate.
- Scholastic Summer Reading Home Base From now through September 12th, kids can create a free digital destination, which includes stories, characters, games, and a community of other readers. The website is moderated for safety at all times.
- New York Times Summer Reading Contest A great way to introduce tweens and teens to reading the news. Students can submit a short essay or video each week sharing what grabbed their attention. If you don’t have a subscription, the NYT will provide free links weekly to teen-friendly articles, essays, videos, podcasts and graphics throughout the summer. The Jefferson Parish Library also offers full access to the New York Times with your library card.
Little J’s Donuts in Harahan has a summer reading program.
Thanks, that is a great one! I will add it.