Plant a Seed, Read Summer Reading Program
for Children, Teens, and Adults:
June 1- July 17, 2026
Summer Library Downloadable Resources
Family Programs
On Wednesday, June 3, at 3:00 p.m., Jonathan May, magician, will be performing sweeping magic tricks that will amaze you.
On Tuesday, June 9, at 4:30 p.m., Kim White from "Incredible Bats" will share information about bats and allow us to witness real bats.
Boerensen Bees from Ocheyedan, IA will be performing on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Buzz, flap, and explore the world of nature’s tiny superheroes, Honey Bees! You will get an up-close look at Honey Bees and taste their delicious honey!
On Tuesday, July 7, at 10:30 a.m., watch as Mr. Twister (Bob Anderson), a balloon artist, twists and bends balloons to create masterpieces.
On Tuesday, July 14, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the library will have a Family Pool Party at Sheldon Community Pool. To attend the Family Pool Party, you must earn a ticket. Tickets are earned based on the number of minutes or books read during the Summer Reading Program. Children younger than 8 need a caregiver present.
On Thursday, June 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., a Trail Mix and Hiking Games event will be held for ages 6-11. Children will be making trail mix and participating in hiking games, mimicking a world-famous international sports competition.
On Wednesday, June 10, at 1:00 p.m., O'Brien County Naturalist, Kylie Holdorf, will be doing a Seed Science Program for ages 6-11. She will be reading, A Seed is Sleepy, by Diann Hutts Aston, dissecting lima beans to learn about the parts of a seed, talking about what a seed needs to grow, and about the different ways seeds disperse and spread into real examples of seeds from native plants.
On Thursday, June 11, at 1:00 pm., a Chips with dip, and planting beans program will be held for ages 6-11. Come plant bean seeds to take home, have chips and dip, and make plant gardens or pom-pom insects with repurposed items.
Popcorn and Seeds of Friendship Talking Circle will take place on Thursday, June 18, at 1:00 p.m. for ages 6-11. We will have popcorn, participate in a Seeds of Friendship Talking Circle, and complete a flowerpot craft.
On Wednesday, June 24, at 1:00 p.m., O'Brien County Naturalist, Kylie Holdorf, will present a Flower Parts program for ages 6-11. Kylie will show a diagram and discuss the flower parts. Then they will have a bouquet to "dissect" so they can take flowers apart and find the parts for themselves.
Apple Pie in a Cup and Tree Makerspace will take place on Thursday, June 25, at 1:00 p.m. for ages 6-11. We will be making apple pie in a cup and creating a tree using makerspace materials.
On Tuesday, July 14, at 1:00 p.m. the library will have a Crafternoon program for ages 6-11. Join us for a variety of crafts and fun activities.
Children's Programs (Ages 0-5)
On Tuesday, June 9th at 10:15 a.m., the library will be hosting a Plant a Seed, Read Storytime for ages 0-5. Join us in reading a story, making a craft, and other activities centered on our summer reading theme: Plant a Seed, Read!
On Tuesday, June 23rd at 10:15 a.m., the library will be hosting an I Like Bugs Storytime event for ages 0-5. Nature is everywhere, and during the summer, we see lots of bugs. Join us to read, craft, and sing about bugs!
On Tuesday, June 30, at 10:15 a.m., the library will be hosting a Monkey's on the Bed Storytime event for ages 0-5. Come and find out what Five Little Monkeys like to do that gets them into trouble. I hope you aren't a little monkey, too!
On Tuesday, July 14, at 10:15 a.m., the library will be hosting an outdoor fun event for ages 0-5. Have a splash with us outside during art and water play!
Teen Programs (Ages 11-16)
On Monday, June 22, at 3:00 p.m., we will be making bookmarks using dried flowers. Ages 11-16 are welcome to participate.
On Monday, July 13, from 3-4 p.m., the library will be hosting a Teen Read and Feed. Bring your favorite book, enjoy a snack, and hang out for an hour of reading!
Adult Programs
Mah-Jongg meets every Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Join us in playing Mah-Jongg, a Chinese Tile Game.
At 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, the library hosts a game night. All ages are welcome to come participate in playing a wide variety of games: Grab the Mic, Off-Topic, Would You Rather, Magnetic Chess, Candyland, Trekking: National Parks, Connect Four, etc.
Passive Programs
Sheldon Residents of all ages are welcome to use chalk to decorate the cement on Sheldon Public Library's property. How creative can Sheldon residents get using only chalk?
Plant a Seed, Read Jar: Each time you read a book, you can place a dried kidney bean in our Plant a Seed, Read Jar. Watch our jar fill up as more people read more books.
Sheldon Residents are welcome to use crayons or colored pencils to color this poster. The poster has a rainbow, sun, and a variety of different bugs, plants, and rocks.
Book Guess: Guess how many books have been read during the summer, based on how many dried kidney beans are in the Jar. Fill out a slip of paper with your name, phone number, and guess. Closest guess will win a prize!
Potato Head: Come decorate Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head using a wide variety of different pieces.