Summer Reading Adventure Program Guide 2026

CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY SUMMER READING ADVENTURE 2026

Plant a Seed, Read June 1 to Aug. 1 What is the Summer Reading Adventure?

Readers of all ages can earn rewards and entries for raffles throughout the summer.

Enjoy special events, performances and educational programs led by guest presenters and library staff. This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Read.” Be sure to visit your nearest Carlsbad City Library location to discover gardening events, find a new read and pick up your rewards.

Para información en español sobre la Aventura de Lectura de Verano 2026, visita el sitio web de la biblioteca.

How do I participate?

Join us for another exciting summer of reading and fun at the Carlsbad City Library

Register – Visit carlsbadlibrary.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack Tracker app for Android or iOS. Log in to your account or create one if you are a new reader. Sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure challenge.

Record – Record your reading minutes in Beanstack.

Report – Children ages 12 and under can receive a free book by sharing their recent reads with a friendly volunteer in the Children’s area of each library location.

2nd reward (300 minutes read): Earn museum, Friends Bookstore, local food and Dave & Buster’s coupons. Rewards vary by age group.

Rewards – Register for the challenge and receive your first reward: a plantable seed bookmark or plantable pencil.

Final reward: Earn a raffle entry after reading 600 minutes.

Bonus reward: Bonus reward after 60 minutes read: Readers ages 18 and under can receive a free pass to the San Diego County Fair by reading 60 minutes during the month of June. Passes are valid Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, while supplies last.

Bonus raffle tickets: Earn additional raffle tickets after reading 900 and 1200 minutes.

BEANSTACK

SUMMER READING ADVENTURE

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More to Explore!

Arty Loon

For additional programs for children, teens and adults, please visit the Carlsbad City Library web calendar: https://library.carlsbadca.gov/programs/ events-calendar Remember to check the printable calendars for regularly scheduled programs Monthly Event Calendars | Carlsbad City Library, CA

Experience the magic of Arty Loon! Comedy, illusions, juggling, balloons and puppetry come together in a high-energy, interactive family show filled with laughter and fun.

Color Key: Dove Library, Library Learning Center, Cole Library

Special Events Summer Reading Adventure kick-off events All library locations, June 6 Sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure and take home a free book Local Author Fair Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Ann Kulchin Courtyard) Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

Celebrate stories, creativity and community at the third annual Local Author Fair. Meet 24 talented authors, discover new books and join in the excitement of the Summer Reading Adventure.

Puzzles and Play Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

Puzzles and Play: Kick Off Your Summer Reading Adventure! Jump into summer with Puzzles and Play, the official kickoff to our Summer Reading Adventure! Explore this favorite pastime along with a speed twist! Meet a competitive speed puzzler who will share tips and tricks about this fast growing sport and try it out for yourself! Great for teens and adults, and family-friendly for ages 8+.

Pot Painting & Seed Planting Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Library Learning Center Kick off a summer of discovery at the Library Learning Center! Get creative by painting a biodegradable pot. Then choose seeds from our Seed Library and make a plant marker to take home and grow your own reading-inspired garden. Drop in anytime—all ages welcome while supplies last!

FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Craig Newton

Thursday, June 11, 10:30 a.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

Craig Newton will showcase a wide variety of instruments during this interactive concert that will entertain and educate listeners of all ages.

Ralph’s World

Friday, June 12, 10 a.m.

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

Children and families can sing, clap and dance along to Ralph’s catchy tunes.

Zovargo

Friday, June 12, noon Library Learning Center

Meet Zovargo’s animal ambassadors! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to see these remarkable animals and hear their stories!

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Wednesday, June 17, 5:30 p.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

Ruth & Emilia

Friday, June 19, 2 p.m.

Library Learning Center

This musical adventure begins when a spaceship lands in Emilia’s backyard. Dialogue is in Spanish, with songs performed in English and focuses on teamwork and peace.

Sparkles the Clown

Monday, June 22 at 3:30 p.m.

Library Learning Center Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 p.m.

Children’s Garden Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

Come experience a dazzling magic and bubble show where attendees will discover the fascinating science behind bubbles.

Mr. Markus

Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

Party Puppet Show is a lively puppet theater experience blending comedy, music and puppetry—perfect for families and designed to spark kids’ creativity and imagination.

Tinker Tuesday: Seed paper making with Master Gardener Dana Tuesday, July 7, 3:30 p.m.

Gowland Meeting Room Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

Recommended for children in kindergarten to grade 3: Learn how to make paper out of seeds with a Master Gardener of San Diego County.

Wild Wonders

Tuesday, July 7, 10 a.m.

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Thursday, July 9, 10:30 a.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library Friday, July 10 at 2 p.m.

Library Learning Center

All ages invited to learn about and see exotic animals.

San Diego Guild of Puppetry: Shadow Puppets Workshop

Friday, July 17, 2:30 p.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to participate in a hands-on workshop where they will create their own shadow puppets to take home.

Georgette Baker

Thursday, July 23, 3:30 p.m.

Library Learning Center

Recommended for families and children of all ages: Join Georgette Baker for a storytelling experience filled with songs, movement and audience participation. In folkloric attire, she shares stories, artifacts and engaging facts about Central America.

Drummers without Borders

Thursday, July 30, 3:30 p.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

Recommended for families and children of all ages: Come explore hands-on percussion instruments and take part in a fun, interactive drum circle.

Zany Zoe

Tuesday, July 28, 10:30 a.m.

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Friday, July 31, 2 p.m.

Library Learning Center

See this amazing magician showcase her magic and wow audiences. A bilingual performance will be offered at the Library Learning Center.

FOR TWEENS AND TEENS AI StoryLabs Workshop

Tuesday, June 16, 3:30 p.m.

Gowland Meeting Room Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

For tweens ages 8 to 12 years: Come to this playful, interactive storytelling workshop where children co-create a story, learn story fundamentals and build confidence with Professor Dr. BumbleBrain.

Fully guided—no typing or direct technology use.

Tween Scene Craft Club: Seed painting with Master Gardener Dana Monday, June 22, 3:30 p.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

For tweens ages 8 to 12 years: “Paint” a still life or an image from your imagination using a variety of seeds to create rich colors and textures.

Teen Book Club: July Thursday, July 9, 5:45 p.m.

Sculpture Garden, Georgina Cole Library For teens ages 11 to 17: Discuss ” Hungry Hearts” edited by Elsie Chapman.

Expanded Interior: Soft Sculpture Workshop with Mônica Lóss

Monday, July 13, 4 p.m.

Gowland Meeting Room Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

For teens ages 11 to 17: This workshop invites participants to transform discarded textiles and objects into art. Using simple textile techniques, participants explore sustainability, memory and imagination while creating soft sculptures. Maximum capacity is 20.

Anime Your Way: Watercolor event Monday, July 20, 4 p.m.

Gowland Meeting Room Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

For teens ages 11 to 17: Teens are invited to learn how to make selfies using watercolors.

Teen writing workshop: Edible Stories: Food, Memory and Culture Saturday, July 25, 1 p.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

For ages 11 to 17 years: Food carries history, identity and imagination. In this writing workshop, participants will explore the stories behind meals and ingredients through personal narrative, fictional cultures built around magical foods or sensory-driven storytelling that brings memories to life.

Tween Scene Craft Club: Potato Stamping Monday, July 27, 3:30 p.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library For tweens ages 8 to 12 years

Turn simple spuds into bold prints with an eco-friendly potato stamping project.

FOR ADULTS Grow Your Garden: Is My Garden Soil Dirt?

Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.

Ann Kulchin Courtyard Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

Healthy soil is the key to growing healthy plants, but what is healthy soil? How do you know if you have it? With some hands-on demonstrations, we will also discuss soil texture, porosity and movement of air, water and nutrients in soil.

Bilingual Adult Craft Night/ Noche de manualidades para adultos Wednesday, July 8, 5:30 p.m.

Gowland Meeting Room Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Thursday, July 9, 5 p.m.

Library Learning Center

Join us for bilingual adult craft night! All materials will be provided. Registration is not required, but seating is limited. For additional information or questions, please email Bilingual@carlsbadca.gov. ¡Únase a nosotros para una noche de manualidades bilingüe para adultos! Todos los materiales están incluidos, asientos limitados y no es necesario registrarse. Para información adicional o preguntas, envíe un correoelectrónico a Bilingual@carlsbadca.gov.

Grow Your Garden: Waterwise Plants Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.

Community Room, Georgina Cole Library

Master Gardeners will introduce home gardeners to waterwise plants that thrive in our Mediterranean climate, while reducing water use, maintenance and costs. Participants learn what “waterwise” really means— selecting the right plants for the right place.

EXPLORATION HUB Exploration HUB

Second floor Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane Visit the Exploration HUB on the second floor of the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane throughout the summer to create, explore and learn.

Try your hand at the 3D printer, design projects with the Silhouette Cameo, digitize treasured home movies using our video conversion software and remember to plant a seed, read—spark an idea, then dive deeper through discovery and design.

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Cultural Arts Cinema Club Reel Wednesday: Celebrate stories rooted in growth, curiosity and transformation. From literal gardens to personal awakenings, these films explore how small ideas—and small actions— can take root and flourish.

Wednesdays at 4 & 7 p.m.

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane June 17 How to Train Your Dragon

Fantasy, 2025, PG, 2h, 5min.

The friendship between Hiccup, an inventive Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together.

July 1 Secret Garden Family/Fantasy, 1993, Rated G: 1 hr. 41 min.

A recently orphaned girl is sent to England after living in India. Once there, she begins to explore her new, seemingly isolated surroundings.

July 8 Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret Period/Drama, 2023, Rated PG-13: 1 hr. 46 min.

Eleven-year-old Margaret moves from the city to the suburbs and starts to contemplate everything about life, friendship and adolescence.

July 15 (4 p.m. screening only) Storm Boy Australia/Family/Drama, 2019, NR: 1 hr. 39 min.

When a successful retired businessman, starts to see images from his past that he can’t explain, he’s forced to remember his childhood.

July 15 (Special Screening 7 p.m.)

Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lighting, Documentary, 2014, Rated TV-PG, 1 hr. 52 min.

Few know the story, struggles and body of work of the woman who created the portrait Migrant Mother: Dorothea Lange.

Thank you to our Sponsors • Friends of the Carlsbad Library • Children’s Museum of Discovery • Dave & Buster’s • Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream • San Diego Automotive Museum • San Diego County Fair • San Diego Natural History Museum • The Mini Donut Company • The Op Games

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July 22 Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Coming-of-Age, 2015, Rated PG-13: 1 hr. 45 min.

A high schooler spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker, until his outlook is forever altered.

July 29 Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Dark Comedy, 2016, Rated PG-13: 2 hr. 07 min.

When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that stretches across time, he finds Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

Locations & Hours: Mon – Thurs: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fri – Sat: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.* Text us 760-354-9423 Chat with a librarian Email us at: librarian@carlsbadca.gov or libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane 1775 Dove Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011 ■ Children’s Services: 442-339-2047 ■ Adult & Teen Services: 442-339-2038 ■ Exploration HUB: 442-339-2039

Georgina Cole Library 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 ■ Children’s Services: 442-339-2872 ■ Adult & Teen Services: 442-339-2871 Library Learning Center 3368 Eureka Place Carlsbad, CA 92008 ■ General Info 442-339-5500 ■ Bilingual Services 442-339-5500 ■ Literacy Services 442-339-2878 bilingualservices@carlsbadca.gov

* Sunday hours for

Dove and Cole libraries only

Need reading ideas? Make sure to pick up a 2026 Summer Reading Adventure bookmark or visit the Carlsbad City Library reading recommendation page.