Children invited to join the ‘Story Garden’ Summer Reading Challenge
Children from across Staffordshire are being invited to join this year’s Summer Reading Challenge available at their local library.
The event is one of Staffordshire Libraries and Arts Service’s most popular activities, having signed up almost 10,000 children and young people for last year’s challenge.
Kicking off on 21 June and themed ‘Story Garden', it invites children and families to delve into the enchanting world of stories intertwined with the beauty of nature.
Running throughout the summer holidays, the challenge aims to encourage children aged four to eleven to read at least six books of their choice, earning rewards and stickers along the way. The initiative aims to create a love of reading, spark creativity, and support literacy skills during the school break.
Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said: “We can’t wait to get started in this year’s summer reading challenge and welcoming thousands of young readers to our libraries.
“It’s a fantastic way to keep children engaged with reading over the summer holidays and we know it will help inspire a real love for books amongst our young readers. This year’s ‘Story Garden’ theme brings together the magic of storytelling and the wonder of nature, inspiring children to use their imagination and discover new worlds through books.
“Libraries are more like community hubs these days and we’re always looking at new ways of developing our services to meet the needs of customers. There’s so much going on and many of the groups, events and activities are free. If you haven’t visited your local library recently, then it’s well worth popping in to see what’s going on and have some fun.”
Libraries across Staffordshire will also host a range of activities and events to complement the challenge, from storytelling sessions and craft workshops to interactive nature-themed activities.
Last year, 9,787 children from across Staffordshire took part in the Summer Reading Challenge.
For more information on this year’s challenge and to find out about events near you, please visit Staffordshire Libraries Website or contact your nearest library.
