ISSAQUAH, WASHINGTON – King County Library System (KCLS) today announced the return of its annual Summer Reading Program, Curious Creatures, running June 6 through August 31, 2026. This year's program features an expanded focus on engaging readers of all ages — including, for the first time, a dedicated experience built specifically for teens.
Families and teens can sign up beginning June 6 at any local KCLS branch. To kick things off, the library is hosting launch parties throughout June, with prizes and special programming to help participants dive in.
This program is made possible by the KCLS Foundation. The Seattle Storm is also proud to support Summer Reading this year with ticket vouchers for in-person attendance at launch parties and select Summer Reading events throughout the summer.
"Summer Reading is where curiosity gets to run free—it's about helping young people stay engaged, inspired, and connected to their community," said Heidi Daniel. "We're excited to expand the program this year with a dedicated experience for teens, recognizing that they benefit from spaces and opportunities created specifically for them. Across all of our programs, we're proud to support reading, learning, and joyful exploration throughout the summer."
Curious Creatures offers age-specific programming across three distinct tracks:
- Early Learners (Baby–Age 5): Builds early literacy through caregiver engagement, play, and shared reading activities.
- Kids (Ages 6–12): Encourages independent reading and curiosity through fun challenges — including optional family activities for a chance to win a special prize.
- Teens (Ages 13–17): A brand-new program with age-appropriate reading and activity goals, plus a Teen Stamp Rally booklet to keep teens engaged all summer long.
Activity books, the Teen Stamp Rally, and Beanstack will all be available in Spanish — a meaningful step toward better serving King County's Spanish-speaking communities, where Spanish is the county's second-most-spoken language.
This year's Curious Creatures artwork was created by celebrated local artist Stacy Nguyen, best known for designing KCLS' beloved "Dogs Camping" library card. Her new design follows adventurous pets as they explore the great outdoors — capturing the spirit and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Decades of research consistently show that summer reading helps children and teens maintain and strengthen their literacy skills during the school break. When young people read books they genuinely enjoy, they make measurable gains in vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency — while building confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading. Curious Creatures celebrates that joy while giving caregivers practical tools to support their children's growth all summer long.
Learn more about Curious Creatures at https://kcls.org/summer/.
About King County Library System
KCLS is one of the nation’s busiest public library systems, serving 1.6 million residents across 2,100 square miles of King County (excluding Seattle). With fifty libraries and a wide range of programs from; Story Time, homework help, and book groups for all ages, KCLS believes in literacy, community, and discovery for everyone. The system circulates more than twenty-one million print, digital, and media items each year. Learn more at kcls.org.
Media Contact:
Dominique Miciano
media@kcls.org