Record numbers of children sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge

The challenge, run by Staffordshire County Council’s Libraries service, saw more than 10,500 children sign up, compared to 9,787 last year. Of those young readers, aged up to 11 years old, 6,632 completed the challenge and won their hard-earned medals, certificates and seed shape for planting.

Running throughout the summer holidays, the scheme aimed to keep children reading during the six-week break by completing six books of their choice. This year’s event ran with a ‘Story Garden’ theme, encouraging children explore the natural world. 

Ana, aged five, took this year’s challenge at Stone Library. She said: “I really loved taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge and reading the books. I really like my library and can’t wait to go back again and get some more books.”

The challenge also involved hundreds of events across the county’s libraries, such as readings by a popular children’s author and Dr Dolittle story adventures.

Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many children taking part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge and I’d like to say a huge well done to all of them.

“Reading is such an important skill for children and the younger they start the better. Sparking a love of books and reading not only helps them develop vital skills for life, but also helps fire up their imagination. Having visited many libraries over the summer I saw the huge effort staff and volunteers went to that made the event such a huge success. Again, well done to everyone involved.”

Staffordshire libraries have a huge programme of events and activities running all year round and people can find out more by visiting their webpage.