Pizza Hut has officially announced the return of their summer BOOK IT! program. The summer of 2026 is for catching rays and flipping pages. Enrollment has officially begun, so tell your children, students, or little loved ones to find their next summer read and start the BOOK IT! journey.
The Plan Behind the Program
To participate in the Pizza Hut summer BOOK IT! program, simply download the mobile BOOK IT! app and sign up as a parent or educator. Adults are able to set reading goals for kids, encouraging them to read as much as they can throughout the months of June, July, and August. When a child reaches their reading goal and logs it within the app, they can redeem their points for a free one-topping personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
The program is available for children ranging from preschool to 6th grade. It is completely free and easy to use, making it an amazing opportunity to encourage children to read all summer long! The program accepts up to five children per household, allowing for larger families to participate as well.
Goodbye Technology, Hello Reading
Recently, many children have fallen victim to the latest technology. For some, it can be easier to simply hand a child a phone or tablet, hoping they’ll sit quietly for a while. However, long periods of technology-filled time can have negative effects on younger children.
According to the National University, technology can cause issues such as behavioral disruptions, obesity, health problems, and weakened social skills in developing children. Lots of screen time can damage their sight and impair a child’s self-esteem and confidence. As kids are continuously stimulated by games and videos, their attention spans diminish, creating poor behavioral skills.
@docamen Little brains weren’t built for big platforms. 📱🧠 Social media exposes young children to pressure, comparison, and content their minds aren’t ready to process. Early exposure can fuel anxiety, low self-worth, and disrupted sleep. Kids need connection, not constant scrolling. Guard their childhood. Follow @Love and Logic Institute for more tips! #brainhealth #mentalhealth
♬ original sound – BrainMD
Pizza Hut’s summer reading program motivates kids to put down their devices and pick up their books! The goal is to help strengthen the minds of children all over the country and bring back the love of reading.
The Positive Impact Reading Has on Developing Minds
Reading can be very beneficial for developing minds as it often strengthens their speech, literacy, and cognitive skills. Learning new vocabulary and sentence structures can assist with memory retention and overall comprehension. Reading also improves critical thinking skills as children make their way through the storyline of a book.
Children can also grow emotionally due to the bonds they form with characters and by viewing a situation from various characters’ perspectives. The unique worlds, people, and plots of books help increase kids’ imaginations, expanding their minds in many different ways. Reading strengthens confidence by providing emotional validation and allowing kids to feel validated when they complete a story.
Popular Book Recommendations for Kids
Ages 3-5:
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
- Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
- Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Ages 6-8:
Ages 9-12:
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