Happy Cow Ice Cream, local libraries encourage reading this summer

Sweet Readings, a summer reading challenge at Happy Cow Ice Cream Shop, in Laconia, returns for a second year. Those who complete the challenge are awarded a free small ice cream.

Calise Houle, owner of Happy Cow, created the challenge, inspired by her own childhood memories of completing businesses' summer reading challenges.

“When I was younger, Pizza Hut used to give you a free pizza if you read,” Houle said. “It was a huge thing, and we’re pretty old school here, so we’re just trying to encourage kids" to read.

The challenge is to read eight, age-appropriate books before school starts, or the last week of August. Those who complete the challenge must log their books on one of the shop’s flyers, and turn it in to get their free dessert.

Though the challenge ends when the Laconia school year starts, the challenge is open to anyone.

“It’s not just for kids. We will do it for all ages,” Houle said.

The shop brought the challenge back after its popularity last year. At the end of last summer, 47 logs were turned in.

“We always encourage our employees to ask kids what their favorite book is, and get them excited about reading.”

Happy Cow Ice Cream Shop is at 385 Union Ave. To learn more about the summer reading challenge, visit facebook.com/share/p/1DLFmh2scr.

Summer reading at local libraries is also in full swing.

Laconia

Laconia Public Library is holding a Teen Summer Reading challenge open to students in grades 4 through 12. Students tally how many hours they’ve read per week by filing out a form at the front desk, or at laconiapd.org/1233/Teen-Summer-Reading-2026. 

During the Unearth a Story! summer reading program, students can enter to win weekly raffles with gift bags, extra prizes for top readers, and the grand prize of a $50 Sal’s Pizza gift certificate. The challenge is open through Saturday, Aug. 8, and no sign-up is required.

Belmont

Belmont Public Library is holding a summer reading challenge — Plant a Seed, Read — open to all ages, from preschool to adult. Those who participate can earn prizes, by completing different challenges, and be entered into a raffle drawing at the end of the program. The library will also be hosting several summer reading-themed programs. For more information, visit belmontpubliclibrary.org/upcoming-events/#summer-reading.

Gilford

Gilford Public Library's summer reading is also themed Plant a Seed, Read, and offers participants a chance to collect badges based on how many books they read. During the week of Aug. 3, students who participated can go to the prize store and pick from a wide variety, depending on how many badges they earned throughout the summer. 

Gilford Public Library is also hosting several summer reading-related events throughout the month of July. To sign up and view the events calendar, visit gilfordlibrary.org/summer-reading-program-2026.

Meredith

Meredith Public Library is using the Plant a Seed, Read, an iREAD program, for children's summer reading, along with several teen summer reading programs. 

Kids can get their reading logs in the children's room of the library, and be entered into raffles and to win prizes. The children's summer reading challenge ends on Friday, Aug. 21, with a library visit from Smokey Bear. 

Teen summer reading programs began July 8. To view the full calendar of teen programs, visit meredithlibrary.org/teen-summer-reading-begins-july-8-2026.

A summer reading program for adults, called Plant a Seed of Democracy, runs through the end of July. To learn more, visit meredithlibrary.org/america-250-adult-summer-reading.