Libraries in Scarborough and Whitby launch sports-themed reading challenge

North Yorkshire libraries and the Reading Agency are running the challenge for children aged four to 11, encouraging them to read six library books over the summer holidays around the theme of play, sport, games and physical activity.

The campaign’s characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading.

There are free incentives to collect along the way and those who complete the challenge will receive a medal and a certificate to celebrate their achievement.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for libraries, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “Signing children up to the Summer Reading Challenge is a great way for parents and carers to help them to maintain their reading levels. Children will have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.

“Thanks to our library service, the challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. It’s a chance for families to get into the habit of borrowing books as well as junior eBooks and eAudiobooks and foster a lifelong love of reading.”

Ready Set Read! kicks off at all libraries on Saturday, July 15, with a county-wide launch event taking place at the newly refurbished Scarborough Library from 10am.

In partnership with the National Literacy Trust – Our Summer of Stories, the library will welcome children’s author Dan Freedman from 1pm to 2pm. He will talk about his popular Jamie Johnson football stories, televised on CBBC.

The event is free, but tickets need to be booked in advance at www.literacytrust.org.uk/events

A programme of events for families will support the challenge, including visits from Ready Set Read! illustrator Loretta Schauer, author and illustrator Liz Million and double gold medal winning Paralympian and author Danielle Brown. There will also be Lego sessions, art and craft sessions, storytelling and theatre performances.

More details of the events and reading recommendations will be posted on local library pages and can be found in library branches.

Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency said: "We're delighted to see how library partners across the country are organising their own events and activities to support this year's Summer Reading Challenge. We are really looking forward to working closely with them to help get children reading, imagining, and staying active this summer.”

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays.

Children can sign up to the challenge from July 15, with a deadline of August 26. They must complete the challenge by September 9. To find out more about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk