We’re taking part in the summer reading challenge! Are you?

Keeping children interested in reading during the summer holidays can be challenging.

If your child naturally enjoys reading then you’ll probably find they’ll pick up a book by themselves, but if your child isn’t keen it would rather be doing something else, what can you do encourage them?

Well, last year we discovered that our local library has a summer reading challenge. My girls enjoyed it so much last year that they’ve asked to do it again this year.

This year’s summer reading challenge coincides with the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, launched this year’s Summer Reading Challenge in Newtown Library on Friday, 12 July 2019, and was joined by popular author and illustrator Max Low.

Endorsed by parents, teachers, the Welsh Books Council and Welsh Government, the Summer Reading Challenge reaches children and young people of all ages, with over 40,000 children taking part last year in Wales.

To take part in the Space Chase challenge, children can sign up for free at their local library, where they will be given their very own Space Chase mission folder to get them started. Those taking part must read at least six library books over the school summer holidays and collect stickers which will help them find aliens and complete the challenge. When the children return to school in September they’ll be presented with a certificate of their achievement for completing the summer reading challenge. My girls were presented with their certificates during their school assembly along with the other children who took part.

Children are encouraged to use the Summer Reading Challenge website to create a profile, chat about books, and get information on what books to read next, via the digital Book Sorter, which offers over 600,000 peer-to-peer children’s book recommendations in child-friendly categories.

Helen Jones, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion at the Welsh Books Council and former primary school teacher, said: “We find that when children return to school after the summer holidays, some have taken a step back and have not come into contact with books for six weeks, which can have a detrimental impact on their development. Reading can impact how children discuss their emotions, as well as their ability to share ideas and to understand the world around them. My advice would be to make time every day for reading with your children, whether it be five minutes or an hour, and to make this part of a daily routine. This will have a positive impact all round and I urge families across Wales to take part in this fun Summer Reading Challenge.”

The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for children aged 4–11. Its aim is to encourage children to visit their local libraries and inspire them to read for pleasure. During last year’s challenge 663,851 children’s books were issued in libraries across Wales and over 3,000 children joined the library as new members.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis Thomas, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a key event for the summer holidays and I know libraries, schools and children all over Wales look forward to it every year because we all know how important it is for children to keep reading over the summer holidays. I’m delighted that the Welsh Government can support libraries to run the Challenge and this year’s theme of space chase will certainly capture the imagination of children across Wales and encourage them to join in for an out of this world adventure.”

If you’re taking part you can post your Summer Reading Challenge pictures on social media using the hashtag #SummerReadingChallenge.”