Dubuque County Reads
Youth Programming
Dubuque County Reads for Kids
Dubuque County Reads for Kids makes reading fun and interactive! Children and families can explore each year's featured book through hands-on activities, storytimes, and creative projects. Our goal is to nurture a love of reading while building connections across the community—because big ideas start with little readers.
This Year: Arts & Culture (2027)
Our 2027 featured youth book is Cat Nap by Brian Lies, the Caldecott Honor–winning author-illustrator. When a sleepy kitten dives after a mouse and tumbles through a poster on the wall, an epic chase begins—through nine real masterpieces of art from around the world, each one recreated by hand by the author. It's a joyful, wonder-filled introduction to art history and creativity, and a perfect match for this year's Arts & Culture theme.
From January through April 2027, children and families across Dubuque County are invited to join in:
-
Storytimes at public libraries and elementary schools, with free copies of Cat Nap to take home while supplies last
-
Hands-on art activities and storytime kits inspired by the book
-
Art workshops with our cultural partners
-
A community youth art exhibition celebrating young local artists
All DCR programs are free and open to the public.
Looking Back: 2026
In 2026, DCR hosted storytimes at multiple libraries and elementary schools, and distributed 150 copies of Berry Song by Michaela Goade to children who attended.
