Summer has arrived in Sedona, and with it comes a spectrum of opportunities to read, create, explore, and connect – over 100 of them, to be exact. That’s the number of programs being offered this season as part of Color Our World, our 2025 Summer Reading Program for kids, teens, and adults.
Young readers wasted no time diving in. Families were already registering this past week and enjoying a tasty kickoff treat from The Cheeky Kiwi Ice Cream Company. But don’t worry – it’s not too late to get started! Registration is ongoing, and there’s still plenty of summer magic ahead.
Children can sign up in the Children’s Room, and tweens and teens can enroll through Beanstack, available via the library website. Once registered, they can track their reading minutes right from their phones using the app. Last year, 322 readers logged a staggering 228,051 minutes. This year, let’s top that together!
Reading Incentives That Keep Kids Motivated
Every registered child receives:
· A pool pass to Sedona Community Pool
· A free book courtesy of the Friends of the Library Bookstore
· At the halfway point: a free Arizona State Parks pass and a free game rental at Game On!
· At the finish line: two free slices of Famous Pizza and a drink or a free cone from Rocky Road Ice Cream, or a donut from Sedonuts!
Plus, for every 200 minutes read, kids earn a ticket they can use to enter prize giveaways. This year, readers can also earn tickets by attending programs and participating in the Summer Challenge, a secret mission that will be revealed when you register.
Let’s talk about those prizes! Gift cards from The Bead Garden, Bearizona Wildlife Park, The Cheeky Kiwi Ice Cream Company, Local Juicery, Melting Point, Out of Africa, Pink Adventure Tours, Science Vortex, Szechuan, Tlaquepaque, and Z Claw Arcade! In addition to gift cards, Free Form Coffee, The Janimal, Rotary Club of Sedona, Sedona Kids Company, Cheers, and Elite Properties have all sent some super cool prizes, too! Not to mention the local families who have decided to be part of the fun and donated prizes, as well!
And for the grown-ups? Summer Reading isn’t just for kids anymore.
Summer Reading for Adults Returns!
Adult Summer Reading is back and better than ever. It’s simple, low-pressure, and full of delightful incentives. Read a book – any book – and earn a ticket. Each ticket can be entered into a prize drawing, with rewards ranging from a scenic bike tour, to a gift card from Bookmans, to a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Creative Sparks: A Summer of Hands-On Fun
This year’s Color Our World theme goes far beyond books. Thanks to generous support from the Verde Valley Fiber Artisans, our lead sponsor Friends of the Sedona Library, and prize donations from local businesses and families, this summer is bursting with hands-on arts programs led by local creatives – this is what it looks like when a community comes together to create really amazing opportunities for each other! When we share our passions – EVERYONE gets to grow together by exploring new ways to create art and connections!
Here’s a sampling of all that community fun for the kiddos, tweens, and teens:
· June 9 – Bedazzle It! – Kids and teens can bring an item from home and turn it into something dazzling with Harmony, a mom of 4 amazing children.
· June 24 – Art with West Sedona School’s art teacher, Sara Horton
· June 26 – Drawing with Julip and Nita – Retired art teacher and local artist Nita Duechle will teach drawing techniques with help from her sweet pup Julip.
· June 30 – Create Your Own Ornaments – Maria Bowers from Sacred Eagle Art Camp guides participants in crafting meaningful, unique ornaments.
· July 11- Crafter-noon – Beloved Ms. Meghan, the creator of Crafter-noon is coming back to create.
· July 12 – Weave Your Own Potholder – Local artist Nancy Wilson leads this tactile weaving workshop for kids.
· July 18 – iPhone Photography Workshop – Arizona State Parks’ Ranger Dylan will teach how to capture great shots using just your phone.
· July 19 – Tween & Teen Flower Arranging – Learn the art of floral design with Mountain High Flowers.
Don’t Miss the Snow Queen: Missoula Children’s Theatre Returns
One of the most beloved traditions of the Sedona summer is the return of Missoula Children’s Theatre, presented in partnership with Rotary Club of Sedona Village and the City of Sedona. This year’s production: The Snow Queen.
Children will audition, rehearse, and perform the full production in just one week. Two performances will be presented at the end of the program – dates and details on the City of Sedona’s website. Thanks to our sponsors – Arabella Resort and Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District!
Why It Matters
Coloring our world means more than creating art – it means enriching lives through stories, shared experiences, and imagination. Whether through books, brushstrokes, photography, or performance, the Summer Reading Program is about connection. It’s about community!
We thank the local artists who’ve stepped up to lead workshops, the Friends of the Sedona Library, the Verde Valley Fiber Artisans for funding creative programs, and all the businesses and community members who donated prizes. Their contributions help make the library a place where learning feels like play and creativity knows no bounds.
Summer at Community Library Sedona is colorful, joyful, and full of discovery. And it’s only just begun.
So, whether you’re reading under the stars, painting with new friends, or auditioning for The Snow Queen, know this: every page, every moment, every minute counts.
And if you haven’t signed up yet -there’s still time to jump in.
Because it’s never too late and you’re never too old to color your world!
Community Library Sedona is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts and support, just like the Friends’ contributions, allow us to provide a plethora of services and programs for the community, all for free, all year long. Visit communitylibrarysedona.org/donate to make an online gift today.
As published by Red Rock News
Library News Column for May 23, 2025, by Viviane Kraus, Youth Services Manager