PICTURE BOOKS • Ages 4–6
Picture Books Reading Challenge
Blast off into a reading adventure. Read together, explore S.T.E.A.M. stories, and complete the mission during the challenge.
Registration opens: Sept. 4, 2026
Challenge runs: Sept. 25 – Oct. 16, 2026
Join the email list for registration reminders and challenge news.
Explore this page
Your Mission
Start with the Base Goal, then keep reading to reach Bonus Goals and earn more virtual tickets.
Registration opens September 4. During the challenge, readers use Beanstack, an online platform, to track reading and submit virtual tickets.
Base Goal
Read or be read to for 150 minutes
Earn 5 virtual tickets and a reward package.
Bonus Goals
Read or be read to 30 more minutes
Earn 3 virtual tickets each time.
Virtual Tickets
Choose bonus drawings to enter
Use your virtual tickets for bonus drawings.
Rewards & Bonus Drawings
Every reading mission deserves to be celebrated.
Readers who complete their Base Goal earn digital badges, virtual tickets, a certificate of completion, and a reward package.
Keep going beyond the Base Goal to earn extra virtual tickets for bonus drawings.
Sneak peek below: bonus drawing items, reward package goodies, and certificate example. More items are coming soon. Reward package contents may vary.
Submit virtual tickets by October 17
To enter bonus drawings, submit your virtual tickets in Beanstack by October 17, 2026.
Winners will be notified by email by November 1, 2026.
Author Messages • Ages 4–6
Meet Your Reading Guardians
Your Reading Guardians have special messages to share. Press play and learn about the stories they brought to life.
Watch a Message from Your Reading Guardians
Julia's Message • 1 min. 37 sec.
How do fireflies, jellyfish, and glowworms light up the night?
Dan's Message • 2 min. 9 sec.
How can curiosity about bats become a story about courage?
Featured Books by Your Reading Guardians
Author and illustrator of Luminous
A picture book about bioluminescence, the light made by living things, from fireflies and fungi to deep-sea creatures
2026 Picture Books • Ages 4–6
Pick Your Next Book
The S.T.E.A.M. Book Recommendations for this age group are coming soon. Check back as the challenge gets closer.
Looking for book ideas now?
Visit the S.T.E.A.M. Book Recommendations section on the Resources page to find suggested books by reading level, including past challenge recommendations.
Readers may choose books from any level, but prizes are awarded by age category.
Questions?
Visit the FAQs on the Resources page.
Email steamracetospace@gmail.com.
2025 Bonus Drawing Winners
Congratulations to the 2025 Bonus Drawing winners! These readers won bonus drawing items and an invitation to the Splashdown Celebration.
See what readers earned and which schools were represented.
Analicia H
Walnut Elementary
My First Space Words board book
Artorias W
Fletcher Elementary
Charlesbridge MATH book bundle
Avery S
Montevideo Elementary
30 Second Dance Party button
Ayana S
Running Springs Elementary
Pretend City tickets
Bailey V
West Orange Elementary
Sky Zone guest pass
Caia C
Turtle Rock Elementary
Bazic Products backpack
Chloe Z
St. Johns Episcopal
My First Space Words board book
Cruz V
Jordan Academy of Language and Computer Science
Sky Zone guest pass
Diego M
Las Lomas Elementary
30 Second Dance Party button
Diego V
Linda Vista Elementary (Orange )
Andrea Brown book bundle #1
Elise H
Heritage Oak Private Education
Club for the Future bundle
Emile S
Walnut Elementary
Irvine Lanes giftcard
Gabriel L
Homeschool
Sky Zone guest pass
Hannah A
St. Johns Episcopal
30 Second Dance Party button
Hayley K
Del Lago Elementary
Sky Zone guest pass
Isabelle C
Fletcher Elementary
Illustrated book bundle
James W
Ralph E. Hawes Elementary
Andrea Brown book bundle #3
Julie H
Heritage Oak Private Education
Focus Dance Lessons
Kat K
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary
Aquarium of the Pacific tickets
Layla Z
Heritage Oak Private Education
$20 Amazon giftcard
Levi B
Canyon Rim Elementary
Charlesbridge WHOSE book bundle
Liam N
Running Springs Elementary
30 Second Dance Party button
Margaret H
Chapman Hills Elementary
Hope & Inspiration book bundle #1
Maxwell T
Nohl Canyon Elementary
30 Second Dance Party button
Melody P
Walnut Elementary
My First Space Words board book
Nolan J
Heritage Oak Private Education
My First Space Words board book
Sirma Nastasia S
Canyon Rim Elementary
Hope & Inspiration book bundle #2
Sofia V
West Orange Elementary
My First Space Words board book
Thomas C
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley
Andrea Brown book bundle #2
Wyatt S
Fletcher Elementary
30 Second Dance Party button
