Enthusiastic young readers in North Yorkshire are being encouraged to participate in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, aimed at keeping their minds and bodies active during the school break.
The challenge, organized by North Yorkshire libraries and the Reading Agency, is open to children aged four to 11 and requires them to read six library books over the summer holidays, all centered around the theme of play, sport, games, and physical activity.
The challenge introduces a set of characters, brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer, who navigate a fictional summer obstacle course while tracking their reading progress.
As children complete the reading challenge, they will receive free incentives along the way, and those who successfully complete the challenge will be awarded a medal and a certificate to commemorate their achievement.
Cllr Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for libraries, believes that signing children up for the Summer Reading Challenge is a great way for parents and carers to ensure that their reading levels are maintained during the break.
Cllr Myers said: "Thanks to our library service, the challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. It’s a chance for families to get into the habit of borrowing books as well as junior eBooks and eAudiobooks and foster a lifelong love of reading.”
The Ready Set Read! challenge will kick off on Saturday, July 15, at all libraries across North Yorkshire, with a special launch event taking place at the newly refurbished Scarborough Library.
As part of a partnership with the National Literacy Trust – Our Summer of Stories, children’s author Dan Freedman will be present to discuss his popular Jamie Johnson football stories, which have been televised on CBBC.
Interested individuals can attend the event for free, but tickets must be booked in advance through the literacy trust’s website.
Throughout the challenge, a range of events for families will be held to support the program.
These events will include visits from illustrator Loretta Schauer, author and illustrator Liz Million, and double gold medal winning Paralympian and author Danielle Brown.
Additionally, there will be Lego sessions, art and craft sessions, storytelling, and theatre performances.
Children can sign up for the challenge starting from July 15, with a deadline of August 26.
The challenge must be completed by September 9.
For more information about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, visit the official website at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here