Children Services
🌱 Plant a Seed – Read! 🌻
2026 Summer Reading Program
June 1st through August 21st
We are so excited for our Summer Reading Program here at the Willmar Public Library!
Our theme this year is Plant a Seed, Read! It will run from June 1 through August 21,
and there will be programs for patrons of all ages. Read and attend events to earn prizes!
We will have a number of special events for children, teens, and adults throughout the summer
to keep everyone engaged in reading, learning, and staying active.
The more you read and participate, the better your chances are to earn one of our grand prizes!
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on our website for announcements and registration information.
Prizes and programs made possible with support from our sponsors:
Friends of the Willmar Public Library
Janning ENT
Jennie-O
Lulu Bean’s
Willmar Community Foundation
Prairielands Library Exchange
Healthy Fusion
MN Clean Water & Land Legacy Amendment
Marcus Construction
Little People Storytime
Wednesdays at 10 am
This program has stories, songs, and playtime for littles!
Best for kids 0-3.
LEGO Club
Wednesday, June 3 | 3:30 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Test your creativity and skills! Join us for free-building
or use a kit to make a LEGO creation!
Story and a Snack
Thursday, June 4 | 3:30 pm
Book and Cook has evolved into a Story and a Snack!
Calling all kids who love books and food!
We will read a picture book as a group
followed by a tasty snack to share.
Best for kindergarten-grade 3 accompanied
by an adult. Register here.
Children’s Matinee:
Goat
Friday, June 5 | 3:30 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
You “herd” it here first: our movie choice
for this month is Goat! Popcorn and
lemonade will be provided!
Author Visit & Writing Workshop
with Erin Makela
Tuesday, June 9 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Come to the library and meet Minnesota Author,
Erin Makela! Her book Worthy of Trust was named a
finalist for the Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult
Literature in 2026. Erin, a middle school history
teacher from Worthington, MN, will share
excerpts of her book, as well as tell about the writing
and publishing process with a mini-writers workshop.
This event is best for kids ages 8 to 18.
Those who attend will have a chance to win an
autographed copy of her book!
ECFE at the Library
Friday, June 12 | 10:00 am
Sing songs, read books, and make crafts with
Willmar’s ECFE teachers!
Tween/Teen Container Gardening
with Sandy the U of M
Extension Master Gardener*
Tween/Teen Pizza Garden Planter
Friday, June 12 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading
this year. What better way to celebrate than by learning
how to garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Pizza Garden to take home with you in
a planter! The little container gardens will contain herbs
and tomatoes that you can use to make your own pizza when
things have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan
the correct amount of supplies. If this date and time do not
work for you, another session will be held June 24.
Register here for June 12 Pizza Garden
Tween/Teen Food & Flowers Garden Planter
Friday, June 12 | 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading this
year. What better way to celebrate than by learning how to
garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Food and Flowers Planter to take home with you in
a small container garden! The planters will contain
flowers and veggies that you can eat when things
have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan the
correct amount of supplies.
Register here for Food & Flowers Garden.
CLIMB Theatre:
Once Upon A Beanstalk
Tuesday, June 16 | 3:00 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Jack is a curious kid who loves adventures,
exploring, and digging up new ideas. When he
finds a magic bean, he plants it in hopes of
growing lots of food for his family. Much to
Jack’s surprise, it grows a giant beanstalk that
stretches all the way into the sky. Being the
adventurer he is, Jack climbs the beanstalk
and discovers the Land of the Giants. However,
in this new land, Jack just can’t keep his hands
to himself and keeps taking things that don’t
belong to him. With the help of the audience,
Jack learns to own up to his actions and plant
a SEED to succeed.
The interactive performance is around 35 minutes
long and is best suited for children up to 10 years old.
Tween/Teen Pizza Garden Planter
with Sandy the U of M Extension
Master Gardener*
Wednesday | June 24, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Plant a Seed, Read! is the theme for summer reading
this year. What better way to celebrate than by learning
how to garden? Meet Sandy, a University of Minnesota
Extension Master Gardener, and learn how to plant
your own Pizza Garden Planter to take home with you in
a small container garden! The planters will contain herbs
and tomatoes that you can use to make your own pizza when
things have grown! Please register in advance so we can plan
the correct amount of supplies.
Register here for June 24 Pizza Garden Planter program
Screenprinting
& Seed Bombs
Thursday, June 25 | 3:00 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Local artist Maria Novak is here to teach us
about and help us do a little screenprinting,
along with some seed bomb construction!
To join in on the fun, make sure to register here
as space is limited. For ages 6-12. This program
was paid in full by a Legacy Amendment grant.Â
Nature Storytime
Friday, June 26 | 10:00 am
Join us for a storytime about trees/flowers with
naturalist Savannah Stephenson from Sibley State Park!
