CHILDREN are being encouraged to explore their love for reading thanks to the return of a national initiative organised by The Reading Agency.
Launched on Monday, July 3, the Summer Reading Challenge tasks those aged four and above to read six books during the summer holidays, with this year’s theme ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ centred on sports and games.
Libraries across the Wokingham Borough will be taking part by offering recommendations and awarding prizes. There will be medals and certificates to be earned for completing the challenge.
The 2023 theme derives from a new partnership with Youth Sports Trust, which seeks to improve education and development through sport and play.
Cllr Sarah Kerr, executive member for climate emergency and resident services, said: “Our library teams always look forward to the Summer Reading Challenge: it is a great opportunity for them to engage with young readers and get the chance to inspire them, as well as demonstrating that our libraries are a great community resource and offer more than just books.
“You can read more than six books and really challenge yourself if you wish, and our staff will be happy to help out by offering recommendations to suit your tastes.
“I’m also a big fan of this year’s theme, which will be packed with stories about team spirit, real-life sports heroes and lots of fun. I hope the children will find it exciting to tick off their progress and earn rewards as they go.”
This year’s challenge runs until Saturday, September 16, and participants must register before Friday, September 1. They can sign up online and set their own personal goals, unlocking rewards along the way.
They must visit their local library at least three times over the holidays to collect prizes and borrow books.
Youngsters can take inspiration from the Summer Reading Challenge Book Collection, but can also download e-books and e-audiobooks from the Libby app, which can count towards overall progress.
By taking part in the challenge, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the break. They will team up with mascots realised by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer as they navigate a fictional obstacle course and track their reading.
Libraries will also be distributing bookmarks with tasks on them as part of the Teenage Reading Challenge. Once children have completed their six books, they should email the libraries team to be entered into a prize draw.
For children five and under, The Little Explorers Book Club is a great way for young ones to discover their local library.
All they need to get started is to have their own library card on which they can collect stamps each time they take books out.
They will earn a limited-edition certificate when they collect six stamps – there are 10 certificates to earn in total.
