By Michelle Smith Howard, President & CEO, Kids’ First Years
Alexandria, VA – A lifelong love of reading begins in the early years, and summer is the perfect time to get in the habit of reading books together with your little one. It’s never too early to start reading to children. Babies and toddlers love looking at picture books while being held and listening to the story.
Reading aloud to children has many benefits: It helps them understand how the world works and sets the stage for success in school, it helps them settle down after a busy day, and it strengthens early literacy skills for school readiness and language development in the formative years from birth to age 5. Best of all, reading together creates a special bond over a shared activity that is pleasurable for both the parent or caregiver and the child.
From June 1 to August 31, all branches of the Alexandria Library system, a valued community partner of Kids’ First Years, are offering a SummerQuest 2026 reading program for several age groups with the theme Unearth A StoryÔ developed by the national Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). The SummerQuest Jr. Program is designed for children ages 0-5.
“We really try to focus on more than just reading books to complete the SummerQuest Jr. Program, but also on fostering healthy relationships with books and the library,” said Taylor Foreman, Youth Services Manager at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Branch. “We offer a variety of activities related to literacy and libraries. A few examples include attending a library program, reading outside, describing your favorite book, and even recycling items. During SummerQuest, we also offer lots of fun programs during the summer that are free for the community to attend!” Visit alexlibrayva.org/summerquest for more details.
More about the 2026 theme: Unearth A StoryÔ
“We selected dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology as the 2026 theme after broad input from member libraries across the country,” said Dawn Krause, CSLP Executive Director. “These topics were consistently cited as high-interest areas for children and families, offering rich opportunities to spark curiosity, imagination, and learning across all age groups.”
She also noted that the theme invites layered interpretation. “Whether readers are digging into a good book, uncovering hidden histories, or exploring the past, the slogan underscores the joy of discovery that reading brings,” she said. “It also emphasizes that every person and every community has stories waiting to be found and shared—through books, programs, and local knowledge.”
According to Krause, the 2026 theme offers especially exciting opportunities for early literacy development due to the enduring appeal of dinosaurs.
“This summer, public libraries will transform into places of wonder and exploration, filled with dinosaur-inspired programming, interactive activities, and plenty of books that encourage young readers to discover the joy of reading about their favorite Theropods. Or Sauropods!”
Fun Events at Local Alexandria Library Branches
Below is a sampling of scheduled events at Alexandria Library branches for young children ages 0-5. Parents and caregivers can find the full list of programs, along with book lists for preschool children, on the Alexandria Library website, alexlibraryva.org.
- Just Babies (Barrett Branch): Mondays, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for ages 0-12 months
- Paleontology Playtime (Beatley Central Branch): Wednesdays mid-June through July, 10:30-11:15 a.m. for ages 0-6
- Baby and Toddler Time (Barrett Branch): Tuesdays, 11:00-11:35 a.m. for ages 0-23 months
- Baby Bounce (Beatley Central Branch): Thursdays, 1:15-2:00 p.m. for ages 0-14 months
- Preschool Story time (Barrett Branch): Thursdays, 11:00-11:40 a.m. for ages 2-5
- Stories & Songs (Duncan Branch): Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m. and 11:15-11:45 a.m. for ages 0-5
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask librarians for suggestions of books on topics of interest to your little ones, and they’ll look forward to visiting the library regularly. That’s a great way to get a young child started on the exciting path to literacy this summer!
‘The Basics’ Offers Activities to Support Literacy
Kids’ First Years embraces The Basics, which are simple yet powerful principles to help children thrive in the early years. One of the principles is “Read and Discuss Stories” and below are examples of activities tied to this principle. Learn more about The Basics at kidsfirstyears.org/basics.
- Make a cozy corner or book nook for reading with your child. Involve your child in choosing a comfy chair or a special spot and gathering pillows and books for it.
- When reading with your child, point to the pictures as you talk about them. For example, say “Where is the mouse?” followed by “There’s the mouse!”
- Let your child hold the book and turn the pages. Board books like Pat the Bunny have thick pages that are easier for little fingers to turn.
Alexandria Library Locations
Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Branch
5005 Duke St.
Kate Waller Barrett Branch
717 Queen St.
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch
4701 Seminary Rd.
James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch
2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Books for Young Children Recommended by Taylor Foreman
Overdue: The Misadventures of Bob the Book by Gloria Koster
Go, Baby, Go! by Tara Dairman
It’s My Bird-Day! by Mo Williams
Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman
The Good Egg by Jory John
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates! by Ryan T Higgins
