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 at Kingswood Library
Kingswood Library will be running a series of free activities this summer. For more details about each session and to book a place visit: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/holiday-activities/
- Marvellous Inventions Craft Activity on Wednesday 24 July, 2:30-3:30pm
Free drop in most suitable for primary school aged children - Puppetry Workshop run by award-winning theatre company Tiny and Tall Productions on Wednesday 31 July, 2-3:30pm. This activity has limited spaces and requires booking by visiting: sglibraries.eventbrite.com
- Junk Box Builders Craft Activity on Wednesday 7 August, 2:30-3:30pm
- Mystery Makers Craft Activity Wednesday 14 August, 2:30-3:30pm
- Story Crafters Craft Activity on Wednesday 21 August, 2:30-3:30pm
- Grand Finale Craft Activity on Wednesday 28 August, 2:30-3:30pm
Free Year-Round Activities at Kingswood Library
Activities for babies, toddlers and pre-school children:
- Rhymetime, Wednesdays 9:30 – 10am, all year.
- Friday Fun: Rhymes & Stories, 9:30 – 10am all year.
Activities for primary school aged children: - Lego Club: Monthly sessions held on a Saturday, 10 – 11am. Dates for upcoming sessions: 6 July, 31 August.
To find out more about the SummerReading Challenge all library activities across South Gloucestershire, visit: www.southglos.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge or the Reading Agency dedicated web page: Summerreadingchallenge.org.uk