Schools across Torbay & South Devon are closing their doors for the summer holidays.
But just because the schools are shut doesn’t meant to say that the books should be put away fully for 6 weeks.
Libraries Unlimited have a jam packed programme of events aimed at encouraging children to pack books along with their snacks this summer.
The Summer Reading Challenge 2018
Its official, the Summer Reading Challenge 2018 has started across 54 libraries throughout Devon and Torbay with well over 600 participants signed up.
Of course no challenge would be complete without a theme, and this years theme is Mischief Makers.
How apt.
Inspiration for the theme came from the historic, and 90s kids favourite, the Beano comic which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
Libraries Unlimited is a Devon based charity that runs Devon and Torbay’s librares.
Each year the libraries host the Summer Reading Challenge.
In 2017 over 11,000 children from across the Devon county took part in the challenge throughout the summer.
Launch Events
Events celebrating the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge are already underway.
With the first library launching their challenge at Paignton Library on the 14th July.
On the day children had the opportunity to take part in a Dennis the Menace puppet workshop and a Beano themed Lego club.
Meanwhile at Brixham Library children were able to play Beano Skittles and games.
Get involved
The Summer Reading Challenge is open to children who are aged 4 to 11 and is run by the education charity The Reading Agency.
Your child will need to be a member of one of the 54 libraries across Devon and Torbay.
Joining the library is free and opens up an entire world of possibilities, events, activities and resources for people of all ages.
Once signed up to the Challenge, children are set the task of reading six books of their choice.
The challenge runs throughout the six week holiday and the books can include novels, non-fiction and audio books.
If the item is borrowed from the library it counts as part of the Challenge.
The Rewards
No challenge would be complete without a prize at the end.
Challengers who complete the six book challenge will receive a medal and certificate from the Reading Agency.
Both the medal and certification will be presented by the library staff.
Some libraries across the Devon county may offer additional prizes including Devon Libraries branded goodie bags, reusable drinks bottles, adventure park tickets and even free zoo entry.
Ciara Eastell, CEO of Libraries Unlimited said:
It’s been a wonderful start to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge and we’re very much hoping we can attract even more children into taking part in the Challenge in 2018. The Beano theme in Mischief Makers is designed to appeal to both children and their parents and grandparents, so we hope to see lots of families enjoying the fun activities all together.
As a charity, we are committed to our mission of bringing ideas and creativity to people’s lives, and the Summer Reading Challenge is always a key focus for us to meet and engage with children, young people and families offering fun and free entertainment throughout the holidays. We have hundreds of activities planned across Devon and Torbay libraries ranging from comedy and slime workshops to visits from Exmoor Zoo and film nights. It’s all aimed at keeping up the momentum with children’s reading progress over the holidays, encouraging their love of reading and showing more people that libraries have so much to offer.
National Summer Reading Challenge
The Reading Agency confirmed that over 761,758 children across the UK took part in last year’s challenge.
The challenge runs from the 14th July until the 7th September 2018.
A full list of all the libraries activity during the summer holiday period can be found at either the Devon Libraries website or the Torbay Libraries website.
You’re also encouraged to look on the libraries social media channels.
For more details checkout the Libraries Unlimited website, follow them on Twitter or give the Libraries Unlimited Facebook page a like.
