Tameside's annual summer reading challenge announced

School may be out but pupils can stay one step ahead with their learning by taking part in the summer reading challenge.

Tameside Libraries are promoting the annual challenge, organised by The Reading Agency, to encourage children to continue reading over the summer break. The aim is to read six or more books.

The challenge – which this year is called Story Garden - is aimed at four to 11-year-olds and their families and combines free access to books with fun, creative activities in the library to help prevent the dip in children’s reading which can occur over the summer holidays.

Activities and events are included in the challenge to help enhance the experience. Some of the activities include story-themed yoga, puppet sessions and story drawing workshops.

A certificate and medal will be awarded for every child who completes the challenge. To take part in Story Garden, participants can sign up at their nearest Tameside library.

This year, every child who completes the Challenge by Saturday 20 September will also be entered into a special prize draw to win a £100 Sports Direct voucher.

Pre-school children can also take part in a special Story Garden Mini-Challenge. Children who will not be at primary school in September can collect a Story Garden Mini-Challenge card on which to collect stickers when they read six books, plus a gold medal sticker when they complete the challenge.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture Cllr Leanne Feeley said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic programme to help encourage children to continue reading and developing their skills, outside of school. It also supports nurturing a foundation for creativity and an interest in and love of books – which will prove invaluable to them.”

More details of Story Garden in Tameside www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/src