All set for Summer Reading Challenge
INVERCLYDE is all set for the launch of the popular Summer Reading Challenge 2023.
The annual event, which encourages children to read as many books as they can during the school holidays, officially gets underway on Saturday 24 June 2023.
Almost 900 young people took part last year with over 500 participants completing the challenge itself, which is to read a minimum of six books before the Saturday 26 August 2023 end date.
Those who take part will receive incentives along the way and if they complete the challenge they will receive a mini-frisbee, medal, certificate and invitation to the annual big celebration event in September at Greenock Town Hall.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme is ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ and is delivered locally by Inverclyde Council’s libraries service in partnership with organisers The Reading Agency.
There will be a launch event on Saturday from 11am-12pm in Port Glasgow Library with a performance from local storytelling duo ‘Wee Storybox’ and a representative from the Waterfront Cinema in Greenock to offer discounted cinema vouchers for every child who signs up to the challenge.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is one of the biggest events in the calendar for our libraries service with huge numbers of young people taking part each year as they discover or rediscover a love for reading.
“Reading is so beneficial for our children’s development but is also so much fun and doesn’t have to cost a penny because our six public libraries are packed full of fantastic books for all ages, including adults too.
“There are also many free events running throughout the school holidays in our libraries alongside the Summer Reading Challenge to ensure there is something fun and engaging for young people to do and also keep costs down for their families while they are off.
“It’s a worthwhile and fun event to get involved in and I hope to see huge numbers taking part again this year, if not more.”
The challenge runs right through the holidays and ends on Saturday 26th August.
The challenge is to read 6 books– children can choose their own books and we have lots of new books purchased for the challenge.
The children will pick up incentives along the way and those children who complete the challenge will receive a mini-frisbee, a medal, certificate and an invitation to a big celebration event in Greenock Town Hall in September.
The challenge is aimed at children aged 4-11 years and we will also be running the mini-challenge for under 4’s.
Children and Families can also participate in the huge range of free family events on offer from Inverclyde Libraries.
Events include Glasgow Science Centre On Tour, Animal Man’s Mini Zoo, Author visits from Lindsay Littleson and Paul Bristow along with craft sessions and Lego Clubs.
More information can be found in the libraries section of the Inverclyde Council website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/libraries with the latest information also available on the Inverclyde Libraries social media pages.