Get Ready, Set, Read for this year's Summer Reading Challenge

Young bookworms are being encouraged to sign up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – and get active while developing a love of reading.

The Summer Reading Challenge is organised by The Reading Agency and encourages children to read books throughout the summer holidays. This year's challenge is Ready, Set, Read!, in partnership with Youth Sport Trust.

Young readers can sign up to join the challenge at any of Wolverhampton's 16 libraries and pick up fun rewards while they read up to six books over the summer.

All participants will be able to achieve bronze, silver or gold, with gold readers receiving a certificate and medal when they finish their challenge.

To support the challenge, there will be a free programme of no less than 60 events across all libraries. They include Baby Bops for babies and toddlers at Finchfield, Spring Vale and Tettenhall libraries, creative writing with Explore Learning at Ashmore Park and Whitmore Reans libraries, Get, Set, Dog! – a Dog’s Trust story time – at Bilston and Warstones libraries, Penn Puppets at Penn Library, and crafts sessions at Collingwood, Low Hill and Long Knowle libraries.

Local storyteller Professor Black will be at Wednesfield with his tales of Hercules and Atlanta, while Central library will be hosting a visit by author Will Mabbitt.

There are also a range of fun digital events for young readers including a Digital Creators Club at the Bob Jones Community Hub, a Code Club taster session at Central Library, Robot Games at East Park and Pendeford libraries, as well as Codapillars and Ozobots sessions. Central Library will also be hosting a Get, Set, Go session and welcoming Wolves Foundation for an interactive games event.

All events are free but due to demand and capacity pre-booking is essential. Please check with your local library for more information. Further events may also be added throughout the summer. Please note, a refundable deposit is required for the Digital Creators events.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "Reading not only helps children to develop their imagination but gives them essential skills for adulthood.

“We have been supporting the Summer Reading Challenge for well over a decade and it is always very popular with young bookworms and their families, so grab your packs and give it a go."

The Summer Reading Challenge was launched at Central Library on Saturday (15 July) and runs until 23 September, 2023.

It's free to join Wolverhampton's libraries. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.