Summer reading challenge

Children invited to launch into summer reading challenge

 

Young people can launch themselves into a reading challenge organised by Swindon Libraries.

 

The Space Hop Summer Reading Challenge requires children to read six books during the summer through their local library.

 

Children will be given a fold-out poster and a set of incentives to collect as they read, with a certificate and medal for those that successfully complete the challenge.

 

Local children’s author Neil Griffiths will launch the event with a week of workshops for schools plus an open day for everyone on Saturday, 24 July from 10.30am at North Swindon Library in the Orbital Retail Park. Swindon Libraries’ Strategy Team has also agreed an amnesty for the summer holidays where there will be no charge for replacement cards and fines will be removed from the cards of children who visit libraries to join the reading challenge.

 

 

There will also be two exciting days showcasing real life rocks from the moon. The lunar rocks will be available to view at West Swindon Library (10.30am - 11.30am) and the Central Library (2pm-3pm) on 29 July.

 

The following day the rocks will be on display at Highworth Library (10.30am-11.30am) and at North Swindon Library (2pm-3pm).

 

In August children can put their artistic side to the test with some lunar craft sessions at their local libraries.

 

Librarians and volunteers will be on hand to act as astral guides, and an interactive Space Hop website will link children with top authors and illustrators whilst giving them room to talk about their favourite books and share reading ideas.

 

Children can enrol for the summer reading challenge from Saturday, 17 July and the challenge starts on Saturday, 24 July.

 

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running for 12 years, and is now reaching over 725,000 children in the UK.

 

It is created and run by The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to bring more reading to more people, in partnership with the UK library network.

 

“The Summer Reading Challenge is a great way of encouraging young people to pick up a book during the summer holiday," said Cllr Fionuala Foley, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Corporate Services.

 

“And with so many libraries and books to choose from I’m sure children in Swindon will have no trouble reaching the six-book target.”

 

The challenge runs from Saturday 24 July to Saturday 11 September. For more information about Swindon Libraries visit the website via the link below...