This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Children, Young People and Outreach Manager, Alison Beer. This is for the attention of all primary headteachers.
Slough Libraries and Culture are inviting children to sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge and laugh their way through the summer with Silly Squad – a celebration of funny and light-hearted books.
The Summer Reading Challenge is a national programme, delivered by The Reading Agency, in partnership with public libraries, publishers and schools. It incentivises children to read for pleasure and develop a lifelong love of books. This year it has gone digital. Children age 4 and over are encouraged to keep reading through the summer by signing up online at sillysquad.org.uk and setting themselves a target number of books to enjoy, unlocking virtual rewards along the way to help them achieve it.
The website allows them to track their progress, record details of the books they’ve read and discover new ones, play games and download a certificate once they’ve completed. For full details of how to sign up, visit the Slough Libraries website: http://www.slough.gov.uk/libraries/summer-reading-challenge.aspx.
We can also provide a printable reading record template for children without internet access at home.
Children are encouraged to read library books. We are introducing a click and collect service so families can order a selection of children’s books to pick up from their local library. This year, books from home and school will count too. For further information please click here.
Slough Libraries also offer a great range of children’s ebooks and audio books that can be downloaded via Borrowbox with your library membership. This year, we are delighted to announce that the challenge in Slough will be supported by local Berkshire writers Coral Rumble, Kate Poels and Violet Lake as Summer Reading Challenge Ambassadors, who will use their talents to encourage and inspire children to participate.
Slough Libraries and Culture offer an inspiring online programme to support the challenge, including clubs, challenges and crafts along with plenty of inspiration to help children find their next great read, plus tips and advice for parents. Click here to find out more.
This year, the challenge runs from June to 19th September 2020.
Further information and resources can be found at The Reading Agency’s School Zone.
