Stompin' Stompin' T-Rex: Let the Summer Reading Program Begin!

Published on May 27, 2026

Hands are placed on a dinosaur footprint fossil.

By Kara V.

I have walked in the footsteps of dinosaurs.

Literally, I have. Ten years ago, my family ventured to Dinosaur Ridge outside of Denver, Colorado. Some of the most iconic dinosaurs like Stegosaurus, Iguanodon, and Apatosaurus lived and died in that area long before the Rocky Mountains even existed. The dino footprints are preserved to this day. My oldest has been obsessed with dinosaurs since she was little, making Dinosaur Ridge a no-brainer stop for our family vacation.

A mother and child touch the fossilized foot mold of an Apatosaurus.

Here we are touching the foot of an Apatosaurus that sunk into the riverbed at Dinosaur Ridge.

This year's Summer Reading Program theme, Unearth a Story, will spark many dinosaur hunts across Sioux Falls. Don't be alarmed if you see people digging through the library catalog looking for the perfect book to complete their reading logs, aiming to win a prize. The program runs from May 22 to August 14, and you can pick up your logs at your closest branch.

The summer will be filled with amazing programs for all ages, including magic shows, genealogy classes, and even fossil exploration! Go to your favorite branch for a kick-off party. The end of summer will bring the big finisher parties at Oak View for Kindergarten-5^th grade and Prairie West for teens!

Back to our trip. When we weren't visiting dig sites or visiting museums, we were usually reading about dinosaurs. Here are a few books to add some prehistoric inspiration to your reading list.