Summer Reading Challenge returns to West Berkshire’s libraries

Ready, set, read! The Summer Reading Challenge is back.

Primary school pupils across the district are being challenged to read up to six library books this summer – and win medals and certificates for their efforts.

Children aged 4-11 years can visit a West Berkshire library to sign up for the free challenge and this year’s theme, in partnership with national children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust, is “Ready, Set, Read!”

The trust aims to empower young people to “unleash the power of play, sport and physical activity through reading”.

The challenge runs between July 1 and September 15 and the children will be able to collect incentives as they read, if they sign up to the challenge.

The summer challenge is a great way for children to keep up their reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays and prevent “the common holiday reading dip”.

Councillor Janine Lewis (Lib Dem, Tilehurst and Purley), West Berkshire’s executive member for public health, culture, leisure, sport and countryside, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is extremely popular and really is the perfect mix of fun and learning.”

“Children Love the themes and collecting their medals and certificates.”

Children will be able to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots as they navigate a fictional summer obstacle course brought to life with illustrations by children’s illustrator Loretta Schauer.

Adults can get involved by volunteering to help run the Summer Reading Challenge at their local library over the summer and anyone interested should visit www.westberks.gov.uk/volunteer

There will also be a mini-challenge for pre-school children and one for the grown-ups too.