This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit Coventry Libraries* to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots.
Get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge themed around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity.
Through taking part in the Challenge, with free materials from Coventry Libraries and online via the Challenge website, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break. The characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, rewarded by free incentives including stickers and limited supplies of small sporting equipment.
Dr Cllr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council said:
“This year’s theme is an exciting one that encourages primary school aged children to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break.
The Summer Reading Challenge helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for their return to school in September. I would encourage all families to join at their local library to benefit from this fun and free activity.”
Through activity challenge cards from the Youth Sport Trust, and an exciting, themed book collection, the Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep imaginations moving over the school holiday. By participating in the challenge at Coventry Libraries, children will have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.
Summer Reading Challenge events.
Visit the Summer Reading Challenge webpage to find out which services are available for families to enjoy.
The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for their return to school. With the help of local libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. In 2022, the Summer Reading Challenge reached 723,184 children and families across the UK, with 608,015 children taking part through their local library service, a 31% increase compared to 2021. The Challenge also drove 132,223 new children's library memberships which is 40% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic total.
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.”
*Coventry Libraries* = All 14 Council run libraries and Cheylesmore Community Run Library (so not Earlsdon and Finham Community Run Libraries who may be running their own challenge).