Reading Challenge to begin this weekend

Children in England and Wales are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. 

Launching in libraries on 6 July, the Summer Reading Challenge is a free activity enabling young children to read for pleasure during the summer holidays.

All children aged 4 to 11 can visit their local library, register for the challenge, select six books of their choice and once the challenge is completed will receive a certificate, with rewards along the way. An online version of the challenge is also available.

The Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: "I know what a great pleasure it is to be truly absorbed in a book. The Summer Reading Challenge is a really fantastic way for children to develop reading skills, discover new authors and gain a lifelong passion for books.

"That’s why we are funding the scheme again this year to make sure all children have the opportunity to continue their reading during the summer holidays."

The theme for the challenge this year is ‘Marvelous Makers’ with new books to be discovered, including a new Welsh Language booklist from the Books Council of Wales who are delivering the Welsh government funded scheme in Wales in partnership with the Reading Agency.

The Books Council of Wales are arranging a Summer Reading Challenge event at Denbigh Library on 10 July with writer Leisa Mererid talking about her new book and taking part in yoga activities with children from a local primary school, Ysgol Twm o’r Nant.

Bethan Jones, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion at the Book Council of Wales said this year's theme is "sure to unleash power of creativity through reading."

The Challenge began online in Scotland on 22 June.