This month sees the return of the Summer Reading Challenge in libraries across South Gloucestershire. Between Saturday 6 July and Saturday 14 September children aged between 4 and 11 can join the free challenge at their local library. Kingswood Library will also run a series of free activities, where children can explore their creativity and imagination through music, arts and crafts and junk modelling.
The theme for the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge is Marvellous Makers and it aims to inspire children’s creativity and storytelling skills. What makes the challenge fun and inclusive is that children can borrow books in hardcopy, paperback, eBooks and audiobooks.
A child at Kingswood Library said: “I like going to the library to pick up new books. I’m excited about the reading challenge, it’s fun! And you also get a medal and certificate for completing it.”
When they register, children get an activity bag containing a Marvellous Makers poster, where they can add stickers as they read. Once they complete the Challenge, children receive a medal and certificate, and a voucher for a swim at anl Active Lifestyle Centre.
A parent at Emersons Green Library said: “This has been excellent – a really good way to encourage a reluctant reader and introduce him to the amazing world of books!”
The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 with funding from the Reading Agency and Arts Council England. It is a great initiative that helps to keep children engaged with books and continue to develop their reading during the summer school holiday. Year on year, more and more children join the challenge. South Gloucestershire libraries had the highest participation rate in the Southwest last year, with 6,350 children completing the challenge. Across the UK, 635,115 children took part in the challenge and 133,697 children became library members.
Summer activities
HANHAM
Marvellous Inventions, Thursday 25 July, 10.30am to 11.30am. Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Puppetry Workshop, Thursday 1 August, 10.30am to midday. Places are limited. Book tickets on Eventbrite from 1 July.
Junk Box Builders, Thursday 8 August, 10.30am to 11.30am.
Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Mystery Makers Thursday 15 August, 10.30am to 11.30am.
Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Story Crafters Thursday 22 August, 10.30am to 11.30am. Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Grand Finale Craft Activity
Thursday 29 August, 10.30am to 11:30am. Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
CADBURY HEATH
Marvellous Inventions craft activity, Friday 26 July, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Junk Box Builders, Friday 2 August, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Puppetry Workshop, Friday 9 August, 2pm to 3.30pm.
Places are limited for this activity. Book your tickets on Eventbrite from1 July.
Mystery Makers, Friday 16 August, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Story Crafters, Friday 23 August, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Grand Finale craft activity, Friday 30 August 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
KINGSWOOD
Marvellous Inventions craft activity Wednesday 24 July, 2.30-3.30pm.
Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children.
Puppetry Workshop, Wednesday 31 July, 2-3.30pm. This activity has limited spaces and requires booking by visiting: sglibraries.eventbrite.com
Junk Box Builders Craft Activity, Wednesday 7 August, 2.30-3.30pm.
Mystery Makers, Wednesday 14 August, 2.30-3.30pm.
Story Crafters, Wednesday 21 August, 2.30-3.30pm.
Grand Finale Craft Activity, Wednesday 28 August, 2.30-3.30pm.
To find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge and all South Gloucestershire library activities visit: www.southglos.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge or the Reading Agency dedicated web page: Summerreadingchallenge.org.uk