Holiday Reading Challenge!

This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit Warwickshire Libraries to join the 'Marvellous Makers' Summer Reading Challenge, firing up their imaginations through the power of reading and creative expression.

The Summer Reading Challenge:

· Significantly improves reading confidence and independence

· Ensures pupils are ready for their return to school, preventing the summer reading ‘dip’

· Aids the successful transition between year groups and key stages

· Contributes to all pupils’ achievement

· Encourages extra-curricular activity – encouraging family engagement with reading

· Develops links between your school, the library and the wider community

For children who took part in 2023:

· 80% read more over the summer holidays

· 70% improved their reading skills

· 72% felt more confident about their reading

How it works:

· Children sign up through their local library from Saturday 6th July and receive a collector’s poster.

· They set a reading goal and borrow books of their choice during the summer, collecting special stickers and incentives.

· Library staff and volunteers help children to discover new books that suit their

interests and reading level and run a programme of free themed activities in the library.

· Children who complete the Challenge are presented with a certificate and medal. You could organise a special assembly to present the certificates in the new term. · Children can take part online, too! www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Key Dates:

· The Summer Reading Challenge starts on Saturday 6th July

· The Summer Reading Challenge ends on Saturday 7th September

About The Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to prevent the summer reading ‘dip’ that many young people experience during their summer holidays while schools are closed. With delivery through public libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. In 2023, the Summer Reading Challenge reached 685,821 children and families across the UK, with 635,115 children taking part through their local library service. The Challenge also drove 133,697 new children’s library memberships which is 42% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic total.

Marvellous Makers is the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge theme, developed in partnership with Create, a charity bringing creative arts to those in need. The theme aims to inspire children's creativity and storytelling abilities through reading. Taking place in libraries and online, the Challenge will provide opportunities for children to explore their imagination and creativity in a supportive environment through activities like junk modelling, arts & crafts, music and more.

Warwickshire Libraries Summer Events:

· Saturday 13th July 11am-4pm Summer Reading Challenge Launch Fun Day’s at Lillington and Stockingford Libraries. We are inviting children aged 4-11 years to come along to the Library on Saturday 13th to join this year’s Summer Reading Challenge - Marvellous Makers and take part in fun, free creative activities, and workshops. Free drop-in events for children 4-11 and their families.

· 12th, 15th & 16th August - Myths and Masks. Enter the Labyrinth (an interactive Story and Craft Game). Come and be a marvellous myth and mask maker with Storyteller and mask artist Pyn Stockman. Journey through an interactive storytelling adventure full of puzzles, craft, and lots of fun. Find locations, times and booking info on Eventbrite.

· We will be hosting fun, free Marvellous Maker themed activities across all County Council managed Warwickshire Libraries this summer. Pop into your local library to find out what’s on or browse events on Eventbrite.