Wild World Heroes

Summer Reading Challenge 2021

We are very pleased to say that we are back with a physical Summer Reading Challenge this year – with a couple of adaptations to make it as safe as possible for families to take part.

Registration opens on Saturday 10th July at all 10 Havering Libraries.

Background

The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at all children aged 4-11 years old.  The Challenge is for them to read 6 books over the summer holidays – a time when reading levels often dip.  It is a very successful national reading initiative that has been running for over 20 years.

This Year's Theme – Wild World Heroes

We have teamed up with the WWF to deliver a Challenge all about wildlife, nature and protecting the environment.  So a very topical theme.

How to take part

Children will need to visit their local library to register from 10th July onwards.  They will be given a pack that includes a collector's folder, six stickers, a book review sheet, a 'How to Take Part' leaflet and a couple of other surprises.  If they are not already members of the library they can join straight away.  On this first visit they can also borrow all 6 books or just take a couple to start them off. 

They can choose any books – whatever interests them - fiction, nonfiction, poetry, joke books etc.  But they must be library books.  They are welcome to visit the library to choose more books as many times as they want to over the holidays.  But they should be aware that on occasion they may have to queue due to social distancing guidelines.

They then go away and start reading their books.  This year we are asking parents/carers to talk to their children at home about the books that they have been reading and to hand out one sticker at a time after they have read each book.   Children will also need to fill in the book review sheet with a short piece about the book or draw a picture on the review sheet.

Unfortunately we won't be having library staff or volunteers in our libraries to talk to the children about each book they have read this year.  Hopefully we'll be able to return to doing this next year.

When all 6 books have been read, they should return the completed book review sheet to the library, where a member of staff will mark down that the child has completed the challenge and all children who have completed the challenge will receive a certificate and medal in school in the Autumn term (library staff will deliver the certificates and medals to each school).