South Swindon MP, Sir Robert Buckland, is throwing his support behind The Reading Agency’s initiative to encourage primary school children to participate in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge which kicks off on Saturday, July 8th.
This summer, children between the ages of 4 and 11 can visit their local library to join a team of superstars alongside marvellous mascots, engaging in a Summer Reading Challenge centered around the wonders of play, sports, and games.
By taking part in the Challenge, children will receive free materials from their local library as well as online resources through the Challenge website, fostering an environment that keeps their minds and bodies active throughout the summer break.
Children will join the fun characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – to navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, rewarded by free incentives including stickers.
To ensure an active summer, the Summer Reading Challenge also provides physical activity challenge cards from the Youth Sport Trust, complemented by a captivating selection of themed books. By participating in the Challenge, young readers will have the opportunity to explore new reading materials, enhance their skills, and discover fresh interests.
Since its inception in 1999, the Summer Reading Challenge has been instrumental in improving children’s reading abilities and boosting their confidence during the summer holidays, preparing them for their return to school. Through the assistance of local libraries, the Challenge remains accessible to all children, offering a fun-filled, cost-free activity.
In 2022, the Summer Reading Challenge reached an impressive 723,184 children and families across the UK, with 608,015 children participating through their local library service—an impressive 31% increase compared to 2021. Additionally, the Challenge facilitated 132,223 new children’s library memberships, marking a remarkable 40% increase from the pre-pandemic total in 2019.
Expressing his support, Sir Robert Buckland MP commented, “The free Summer Reading Challenge and activities are a great idea and resource for families here in South Swindon. They will help to encourage children to stay active during the summer and also improve their reading skills, whilst having fun!”
Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, expressed her delight at the scale of the event, stating, “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.”
To access full details about local libraries in Swindon, including opening times, please visit: https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20026/libraries/888/library_locations_and_opening_hour
