Children across Hampshire are being encouraged to go for a nature-inspired reading adventure through this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. The theme is ‘Wild World Heroes’ and the mission – run in partnership with The Reading Agency and the World Wildlife Fund – is to help young readers to learn more about the environment.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation, Heritage and Rural Affairs, Councillor Edward Heron, said: “It is so important that young people are inspired to read for pleasure, helping to boost their literacy and to open up exciting new worlds and ideas. This summer the aim is to encourage Hampshire’s children to go wild for reading and to find out more about protecting our planet at the same time.“
“Public libraries are open for browsing and our teams can’t wait to help children to sample the resources on offer. Young readers can also register online to take part. All types of book count towards the Summer Reading Challenge – this includes fiction and non-fiction titles, books read to children at bedtime or audiobooks for a journey. Happy reading to all of this year’s Adventurers!”
The Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge is perfect for children aged 4-11 years, but younger children can also take part and collect reading stars. Participants are being asked to read six books to help the ‘Wilderville’ children make a difference to the environment and to protect the planet as they progress. As the books are completed, children earn stickers for their Wild World Heroes collector poster. All young readers who complete the challenge earn a certificate and a medal. Hampshire’s public libraries are all taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge it started on Saturday 3rd July and will have a wide selection of nature-inspired titles on offer to suit all readers. This year there is also a chance for one participant to win a Samsung Galaxy tablet. It runs until 18 September so there’s plenty of time to join.
To find out more and to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, visit www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kids-zone – the Kids’ Zone site also features book suggestions, puzzles and activities host of activities.
Over the school holidays children can experience a ‘dip’ in reading skills and learning. In an average year, Hampshire Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge helps around 20,000 children to read for pleasure over their school break. Anyone living, working or studying in Hampshire can become a member of Hampshire Libraries for free. Andover library is based inside the Chantry centre in town.
