Summer holidays are on the horizon and North Yorkshire libraries are preparing for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which invites children aged four to 11 to borrow and read any six library books over the school holidays.
The theme for this year’s challenge is The Big Friendly Read and is delivered in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Literary Estate to celebrate 100 years of the world’s favourite storyteller.
The Big Friendly Read will feature some of Roald Dahl’s best-loved characters and the amazing artwork of his principal illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake. It will encourage reading on a giant scale.
To take part in the challenge, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library. They will receive a collector’s folder and as they borrow and read at least six library books over the summer, they can collect six cards to complete their folder, together with other rewards.
The cards feature original Quentin Blake illustrations and explore some of most popular themes in Roald Dahl’s books, such as invention, mischief and friendship. Children who complete the challenge will be awarded a certificate, a medal and a dazzling pair of rainbow glasses.
County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Executive Member for Library and Information Services, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a great incentive to encourage children to read and use libraries over the summer. Children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays. The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge helps gets three quarters of a million children into libraries to maintain their reading skills and confidence and more than 10,000 regularly take part in North Yorkshire.
“Reading together as a family helps children to enjoy books, so why not join the library with your children and complete the six-book challenge together?”
The Big Friendly Read Summer Reading Challenge launches in libraries across North Yorkshire on Saturday 16 July and runs until Saturday 10 September.
There is a programme of events and activities planned for children and families over the summer in North Yorkshire libraries to celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge. For more information about what is happening at your local library, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/bigfriendlyread.