Your summer reading adventure starts at the Bright Red Book Bus. 

The Bright Red Book Bus is hitting the road again this summer to share the joy of reading with local families. Packed with brand-new and gently used books, the Bright Red Book Bus provides free books for kids of all ages right in their own neighborhoods.  

From June 29 to August 14, 2026, the Bright Red Book Bus will be visiting various schools and city parks in Kamloops. Families can visit the bus in their neighbourhoods to participate in story walks, games, activities, and more. 

2026 Summer Schedule: June 29 to August 14, 2026

Now in its 12th year, this cheerful red bus has become a familiar sight at local schools and parks throughout the summer. This year the bus has a new look with updated artwork decorating the outside of the bus. 

Each child who visits the Bright Red Book Bus gets to choose a book to take home, read, and keep. The goal is to help build excitement around reading, create strong reading habits over the summer, and combat the summer reading slide that can become common while school is out for the summer. 

Launched with seed money from the local Stollery Charitable Foundation in 2014 with encouragement from Spencer and Janet Bryson of Kamloops, the Bright Red Book Bus is a community partnership, primarily between the Kamloops-Thompson School District, Literacy in Kamloops (LinK), and BGC Kamloops (formerly Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops). This literacy program is also made possible thanks to the support of funding partners, including Raise a Reader and CML Properties. 

For more information and updates, visit the Bright Red Book Bus Facebook page. 

Explore other summer reading tips here.  

In the District Strategic Plan, the Kamloops-Thompson School District is committed to supporting students to develop foundational literacy skills and to develop a passion for multi-literacies. The Bright Red Book Bus is one initiative that helps to promote joyful reading and interesting conversations for students and their families.