Slough Libraries are excited to announce this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Ready, Set, Read!
This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit Slough Libraries to get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge that will keep their minds and bodies active over the summer holidays.
The Summer Reading Challenge is run by the Reading Agency, in partnership with public libraries. This year, they have teamed up with the Youth Sport Trust for a challenge themed around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity.
Through taking part in the challenge, with free materials from the library, and online via the challenge website, children will be encouraged to keep their imaginations moving during the summer break. They will have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.
Children will be rewarded with free goodies as they read their own choice of books to progress through the challenge and are awarded a medal and certificate on completion.
The challenge, which runs from 4 July – 16 September, features characters brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer.
Councillor Chandra Muvvala, Lead Member for Public Protection, I.T, Customer Service and Young Futures, said: “The challenge encourages children to become lifelong book lovers and helps prevent the trend for reading skills to dip over the summer holidays. There are so many great books to choose from to take children off on an adventure and to help spark their imaginations. It’s a free activity for families to enjoy over the summer, so do pop into your local library if you want to find out more.”
Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency said: "We're delighted to see how library partners across the country are organising their own events and activities to support this year's Summer Reading Challenge. We are really looking forward to working closely with them to help get children reading, imagining, and staying active this summer.”
It’s free to take part - children just need to be library members. It’s quick and easy to join.
In Slough, 1,976 children participated in the 2022 challenge, with 21% becoming library members in order to take part.
There will be family fun with pop-up giant games and line dancing at the library and we will be developing an exciting partnership with Slough Town Football Club (STFC) to highlight how reading and sport can combine to build children’s confidence and support their wellbeing.
The club will be supporting the challenge as staff and players will become Ambassadors, as well as working with all their junior teams and season ticket holders. STFC will be inviting Slough Libraries down to a couple of league games and to host a pop-up library, with the aim of helping children achieve their reading goals.
First team player-manager, Scott Davies,said: “We are delighted that the club are forming partnerships with Slough Libraries for the Summer Reading Challenge and will be showcasing how football and sport can work together to enhance children’s confidence and all round skills. Please pop down to your local library, pick a book and have fun.”
Young people aged 14 and over have a rewarding opportunity to support the challenge through volunteering with Slough Libraries. By sharing their passion for books, they will inspire and encourage children to achieve their reading goals and complete the challenge.
Visit the library volunteering page or email library@slough.gov.uk to find out more.
Find out more about the challenge and look out for other library activities over the summer.
The official challenge website hosts digital rewards, author videos, games and more for children to enjoy all summer.