Rotherham Libraries and Neighbourhood Hubs are participating in the ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ Summer Reading Challenge, offering free activities for families kicking off throughout the summer.
This summer, children aged 4-11 are being encouraged to join a superstar team, as well as their marvellous mascots, and get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity.
Through taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break.
To take part children simply need to visit a library to sign up for free and receive their Ready, Set, Read! pack. Participants can then:
- Set a personal reading goal for the summer
- Borrow and read books, eBooks and audiobooks of their choice
- Collect special incentives from the library each time they finish a book
- Receive a certificate for taking part, or for reaching their Challenge goal.
Alternatively, children can participate in the challenge online by visiting summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
A Celebration Ceremony will also take place at Magna Science and Adventure Centre to celebrate those who complete the Summer Reading Challenge on Sunday 1 October 2023.
Those completing the challenge will get free admission to explore the wonders of Science and Technology in four pavilions – Air, Earth, Fire & Water! With over 100 interactive exhibits facilitating learning through investigation and play.
The Council will post more information to social media about what will be happening on the day nearer to the time of the celebration.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Cllr David Sheppard, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is an event I always look forward to. Reading is something very close to my heart and so it is vital that we encourage children to continue reading, trying new books and getting involved in the range of activities on offer at our libraries during the holiday. I had the pleasure of being at last year’s Summer Reading Challenge Celebration Ceremony at Magna and it was fantastic to see so many young people who had got involved. I hope to see as many, if not more, children getting involved this year!”
Karen Napier, CEO of 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.”
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.
The Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep imaginations moving over the school holiday through activity challenge cards from the Youth Sport Trust and an exciting, themed book collection.
Young people will also have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.
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.
Visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/libraries to find out where your local library and neighbourhood is and what events are taking place.