East Sussex libraries are calling on children aged 4 to 11 to read over the summer months as part of Summer Reading Challenge 2024: Marvellous Makers!
The annual free event encourages children to read for fun during the school holidays to maintain reading skills and confidence. You can join in anytime up to 7 September, so why not get started today?
This year’s theme is ‘marvellous makers’ and is all about getting creative! We have a range of free events throughout the summer across our libraries, including dancing, photography, music, junk-modelling… the possibilities are endless!
Who can take part?
The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school-aged children, and is a flexible programme designed for all levels of reading ability. For each library book read, children will receive a sticker and other prizes. After reading six books they will earn a certificate and a medal.
There is also the pre-school Summer Reading Challenge for children under four years old. This version of the challenge for little ones is a great way to introduce good reading habits while supporting the development of key skills, social-emotional growth and family bonding.
How does it work?
- Sign your child up on our website. If you don’t have a device to get online you can ask one of our volunteers or a member of staff in the library and they will sign you up.
- The challenge is to read any six books borrowed from the library or downloaded from our ebook library. Children can borrow and read books, eBooks, and audiobooks of their choice. They can read anything they like: fiction, fact books, poetry, joke books, picture books, graphic novels, audiobooks… anything! If they’re not reading on their own yet they can still take part by sharing a book with you.
- Prizes can be collected from the library each time they finish a book to encourage children to keep going.
- Your child will receive a special prize for reading six books, including a medal and certificate. Children can choose to have their certificate presented in school in the autumn term so that their teachers and friends can give them a big well done!
- For children under four taking part in the pre-school challenge, you can collect stickers for each book shared and a special medal sticker at the end.
In addition, East Sussex libraries will be offering a wide variety of events and activities for families to enjoy throughout the summer, all free and jam-packed with creative fun.
How do I sign up?
Sign your child up for the Summer Reading Challenge on our website. To take part, your child will need to have their own library card and PIN. Joining your local library is free and simple. Join the library online or pop into your local library and sign up – all East Sussex libraries have friendly volunteers or members of staff on hand to help.
Completing the challenge
Once your child has finished the challenge, you can pop into the library to collect prizes! You can also log into your child’s library account online to pop a finishing date in yourself if you are unable to visit the library. This will allow you to choose where they receive their all important completion certificate and provides a flexible option for those that need it.
Remember, the challenge doesn’t end until 7 September so there’s plenty of time to join in.
The Summer Reading Challenge is developed by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries.
