• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

Mischief Makers wanted at North Yorkshire libraries

There’ll be mischief afoot this summer when North Yorkshire libraries and the Reading Agency invite all primary school children to sign up to read six books for the Summer Reading Challenge 2018.

The Summer Reading Challenge asks children aged between four and 11 to borrow six library books over the summer holiday period. This year the theme is Mischief Makers, inspired by the much-loved children’s comic, Beano, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

To take part in Mischief Makers, children just need to sign up at their nearest library as members and they will be given a colourful collector’s map of Beanotown to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.

As they read their chosen library books, they will receive stickers, some with mysterious smells. By adding these stickers to their map, readers will help Dennis, Gnasher and friends solve clues and discover the treasure, having fun and adventures along the way. During their reading journey they’ll receive other free incentives, including a door hanger, colour-in comic glasses and a red and black striped wrist band. Those who complete the challenge will be awarded a medal and a certificate to celebrate their achievement.

Mischief Makers will launch in libraries across North Yorkshire on Saturday, 14 July, and will run until Saturday, 8 September. This year there’s also a mini Gnasher challenge for pre-schoolers with stickers and certificates for little ones to collect. It’s the perfect time for all the family to develop the reading habit.

A programme of events and activities for families will support the challenge. This will include cartoon workshops, animation film-making, Lego building, badge making, T-shirt design and Gnasher collages.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Greg White said: “Last year, more than 9,600 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge in North Yorkshire libraries, which meant we were one of the highest performing authorities.

I’m sure that this year’s Beano theme will mean we’ll recruit even more young readers. With the help of our dedicated library staff and volunteers we’re heading for a record breaking summer. If you are aged 13 to 24 and looking for fantastic experience of working with young people, we’re keen to hear from you. Contact your library for information about volunteering and we look forward to welcoming you to the library team.” 

Sue Wilkinson, CEO of the Reading Agency, said: “At The Reading Agency, we believe that everything changes when we read and we know from our research how much fun families and children have when taking part in the Challenge. Mischief Makers offers intergenerational appeal and we hope this family friendly, accessible theme will inspire more children than ever to read over the holidays and make use of their local library throughout the summer and beyond.”

To find out how to take part from 14 July, visit your local library or go online to www.northyorks.gov.uk/libraries. In the meantime, sneak a peep at the adventures in store for Dennis and his Mischief Makers at https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.