Saturday 5 July to Saturday 13 September.
If you want to ensure your child continues their reading journey over the summer holidays then look no further than the Summer Reading Challenge, designed by , delivered by libraries.
The theme this year is ‘Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors’. This exciting new theme will inspire children to tap into a world of imagination through reading, exploring the magical connection between storytelling and nature.
The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at primary aged school children, but children and teens of all ages can sign up for free at their local library from Saturday 5 July. The aim of the Challenge is to keep children reading over the summer holidays when there can sometimes be a ‘reading dip’. Children are encouraged to read up to 6 books before Saturday 13 September.
Children will need to be a member of the library to participate, but joining the library is free and can be done online or in your local branch. .
There are lots of reading formats to keep children interested. Fact books, stories, poetry, graphic novels, eBooks, joke books and audiobooks – it is all reading! Children will receive rewards for every book they read and when they complete the Challenge after their sixth book read, they will receive a certificate and a colourful wristband.
We also have plenty of events and activities in our libraries over the summer, so check out your library’s events’ webpage to see what is happening.
The Challenge is suitable for all reading abilities, so head along to your local library on Saturday 5 July to start your summer reading journey!
Finale Celebration events Saturday 13 September
Celebrate your child reading six books this summer and completing the Summer Reading Challenge, by joining us at one of our free 11 celebration events on Saturday 13 September.
Celebration Programme of events:
- Award winning poet will be at Molesey Library(am) and at the brand new Staines Library Hub (pm)
- Passionate Storyteller will be at Epsom Library (am) and Reigate Library (pm)
- Award winning author will be at Dorking Library (am) and Guildford Library (pm)
- Popular author will be at Woking Library
- Illustrator and author returns to Godalming Library after her successful Living Knowledge Network event
- The ever so popular will host a poetry event at Camberley Library
- Community Interest Company will put on a buzzing pollinator workshop at Farnham Library
- Our partner will keep the kids busy with some wild(life) garden craft at Horley Library
You can register your interest for one of these events once your child has finished the Challenge by completing the .
We also like to invite teachers, librarians, library volunteers and other adults caring for children to nominate a child to receive a ‘Special Achievement’ certificate and attend one of our Celebration events. It is meant for those young readers who did something exceptional as part of the Challenge this summer. Whether a child has devoured dozens of books or bravely finished their very first one, these 'Special Achievement' certificates honour children who have achieved something meaningful through reading, no matter how big or small.
To find out more and to register your child, please complete the .
Volunteering support for the Summer Reading Challenge
Every year we welcome volunteers over the age of 14 years to help support the Summer Reading Challenge participants.