Libraries Summer Reading Challenge

Blaenau Gwent Libraries participates in the ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ Summer Reading Challenge with free activities for families through the Summer holidays

This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit our six libraries across Blaenau Gwent to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots and get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge themed around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity.

Through taking part in the Challenge, with free materials from our libaraies and online via the Challenge website, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break. The characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, rewarded by free incentives including stickers.

Through activity challenge cards from the Youth Sport Trust, and an exciting themed book collection, the Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep imaginations moving over the school holiday.  By participating in the challenge at Blaenau Gwent Libraries, young people will have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.

Join a FREE Summer Reading Challenge event in one of our libraries this summer - click the links below for more info:

• Creative Art Sessions at Brynmawr Library: Mondays 7th & 21st August

• Creative Art Sessions at Tredegar Library: Saturdays 29th July, 12th & 26th August

• Physical Literacy & Storytelling Sessions at all of our libraries

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for their return to school.

With the help of local libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. In 2022, the Summer Reading Challenge reached 723,184 children and families across the UK, with 608,015 children taking part through their local library service, a 31% increase compared to 2021. The Challenge also drove 132,223 new children's library memberships which is 40% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic total.

Karen Napier, CEO, 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.”

To participate in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge simply ask our staff at your local library.

For more info on our libraries and services visit our website here