This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit Wiltshire Council libraries to join the Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge and fire up their imaginations through the power of reading.
The challenge, produced by The Reading Agency and delivered by libraries, is to read at least six library books over eight weeks during the summer and receive rewards along the way.
The Summer Reading Challenge aims to prevent the ‘summer reading dip’ many children experience over the holidays when they aren’t in school, and is a free and fun way to keep young minds active. In partnership with The Reading Agency and Create, a leading arts charity, this year’s challenge also celebrates kids’ creativity and storytelling abilities.
Children can register for the challenge now and it runs until Saturday 7 September. When registering, children will receive their own special poster to record their reading, plus a Marvellous Makers sticker. When they’ve read four books, they’ll be given an origami activity sheet and on completion a badge and certificate. Children can start to collect stickers and other prizes from Monday 29 July.
Children can choose any books of their choice and can also read eBooks or listen to audiobooks. Although the challenge is to read six books, there is flexibility in this number, especially for children who struggle with reading or are reading longer books.
Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, said, “The Summer Reading Challenge sparks children’s creativity and imagination through reading. Developed with Create, this year’s Marvellous Makers theme will inspire kids’ inner storytellers and makers. We’re thrilled to work with libraries to provide an engaging environment for exploring new ideas through books and activities.”
Children can also sign up to the challenge online at https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk. Here, they can use the Book Sorter to discover new books, find fun reading activities and active challenges, play games, watch videos and write book reviews.
For children who want a further challenge and those older than 11 there is the Story Adventurers’ Club, a personal reading challenge where children set their own reading goals, with the target to read 100 books.
Packs of Summer Reading Challenge materials will also be given to children taking part in Wiltshire Council’s summer FUEL programme, a free holiday activity and food project that offers participants the opportunity to take part in a range of fun activities during school holiday periods.