Lacey Loves to Read 2026 culminates with visit from author Renée Watson

Lacey Loves to Read’s 2026 events culminated with a visit from award-winning author Renée Watson earlier this month. 

“At the heart of (Lacey Loves to Read) is the belief that every child should see themselves reflected in the stories they read and the authors they meet,” Timberland Regional Library said in a Feb. 18 blog post. “The program brings diverse authors to Lacey, ensuring that young readers can see writers with different backgrounds and lived experiences.”  

Watson is the award-winning author of “Piecing Me Together,” “Black Girl You Are Atlas,” and the 2026 Newbery Medal Winner, “All the Blues in the Sky,” among many other titles.

Now in its 23rd year, the popular community literacy initiative aims to encourage reading and bring the community together around a different award winning author every year. 

The initiative is a partnership between North Thurston Public Schools, the City of Lacey and the Lacey Timberland Regional Library, and other community sponsors. 

“Since its inception 23 years ago, Lacey Loves to Read has brought our community together through literacy, creativity, and a shared love of stories,” Timberland Regional Library said in a blog post on Feb. 18. “Timberland Regional Library is proud to partner each year with North Thurston Public Schools, the City of Lacey, and many dedicated community organizations to make this event possible. What began as a simple effort to inspire young readers has grown into a dynamic, multi-faceted celebration that fosters imagination, creativity, and community.” 

Lacey Loves to Read events include:

• Bookmark Design Contest: Open to students in grades K-12, this contest celebrates artistic expression while promoting a love of reading. 
• Read Around Lacey: Young readers in grades K-5 visit local businesses, where they practice their reading skills and discover the role literacy plays in everyday life.
• City Proclamation: Each year, the City of Lacey proclaims the month of February “Lacey Loves to Read Month” at a City Council meeting. Bookmark Grand Prize Winners are also recognized at that City Council meeting.
• Featured Author Visit: Lacey Loves to Read culminates in a visit from a distinguished children’s author, who engages with students through school assemblies and a major public event. 
• Teen Writing & Art Contest: This contest, hosted by the Lacey Timberland Library since 2014, provides more engagement opportunities for teens. Each year, middle and high school students submit short stories, poetry and artwork based on a central theme. The winning entries are published in a book available at the Lacey Timberland Library and online at TRL.org. Coordinated by The Lacey Timberland Library, the Teen Writing & Art Contest and VIP reception gives finalists the opportunity to present their work in an awards ceremony-style event. Poets are encouraged to read their work aloud, cover artists and short story writers share their inspirations, and the community gathers to celebrate young creatives. 

This year’s theme, "Home/Location and/or Bodies + Identity/ies," was inspired by Watson’s exploration of both place, and body image in her work. 

“Lacey Loves to Read is more than just a reading initiative, it’s a cornerstone of community-building, literacy, and creative expression in Lacey and continues to grow, creating meaningful opportunities for young readers and artists to engage with literature, self-expression, and their community,” Timberland Library stated. “Through programs like (Lacey Loves to Read), we are helping to shape a community where literacy is celebrated, creativity is nurtured, and diverse voices have the opportunity to be heard.” 

For more information about Lacey Loves to Read and to view past featured authors, visit https://www.ntps.org/community/lacey-loves-to-read