Children Invited to Join ‘Wild World Heroes’ at Reading Libraries this Summer

READING Library service’s much-loved yearly Summer Reading Challenge is available in all Reading Libraries from this week.

The library service is calling for children aged 4 to 11 to sign up to read six books this summer as part of the ‘Wild World Heroes’ environmental-themed Summer Reading Challenge 2021.

The challenge launched in Reading Libraries on Saturday 10 July. Children can also join in the fun online, here on the official challenge website: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/

The free reading challenge aims to get more children reading over the summer period – a time when children’s literacy skills traditionally dip. Following the closure of libraries and the disruption to school attendance during the pandemic, the challenge offers a fun way for children to re-engage with their local library and to catch up on their reading skills.

Children are challenged to borrow and read at least six books over the holidays and are rewarded for each book read. Successful children will also be presented with a special certificate and a medal.

This year’s reading challenge theme promotes how there are lots of things everyone can do to make their town even better for the people and animals that live there. Delivered in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the challenge aims to encourage children across the country to engage in fun reading activity focused on environmental issues.

Through taking part in the challenge, children will be able to join six fictional characters - 'wild heroes' - to help solve some of these threats, learning about the importance of the environment while helping to restore nature levels in the neighbourhood of 'Wilderville'.

To take part in the library challenge and receive a collector folder and stickers, families can drop in to pick up a starter pack at their local library branch at Southcote, Whitley, Palmer Park and Battle, which are all now offering browsing without an appointment. From Tuesday 13 July browsing will be available at Caversham Branch and at Tilehurst from Monday 19 July. Only Central Library will still require an appointment to order and collect books.

Anyone who is not a member can join the library instantly at www.reading.gov.uk/ libraries and also borrow books online. The latest details and full opening times can always be found at: www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart

The challenge ends on Saturday 4th September.

Councillor Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said: “Pack your bags, we’re headed for Wilderville! I’m very excited that Wild World Heroes is this year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme and its focus on the environment. Children, rightfully so, are extremely interested in the environment and the climate emergency. By joining the challenge, children can discover how they can make a difference to their local area and to the wider environment. This is such an important topic which I’m sure will engage, motivate and inspire children across Reading.

“We know children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure – and this can be a problem for schools to put right in the new term. This is a great, free way for youngsters to keep on reading. I remember fondly summer reading programmes from when I was a child and they instilled in me a love of reading that I still have to this day.

“This year, more than ever, after such a difficult and unsettling time for children, engaging in this programme can really support and encourage vital reading catch-up activities. In previous years the challenge has seen thousands of children in Reading taking part and I’m eager to see as many youngsters as possible join in with this year’s environmental challenge and to finally be able to once again make use of their local library this summer.

“Children can join in online at www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/summer-reading-challenge/ and at our local libraries offering browsing, staff can help children find books to borrow, and provide them with fun reading activities to get them started. The latest details and full opening times can always be found at: www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart” 

ENDS