Children of all ages across the borough are being encouraged to take part in this year’s summer reading challenge from the comfort of their own homes.
This year’s ‘Silly Squad’ Summer Reading Challenge will be a little bit different as the Reading Agency are delivering it online so children will be able to get involved with all of the activities and to post reviews of what they have been reading.
The theme of ‘Silly Squad’ aims to encourage children to read whatever makes them happy, get silly and have fun!
Earlier this year, children from Rotherham Libraries helped to select award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, Laura Ellen Anderson designs to create bespoke illustrations for the posters and activities that the Reading Agency will be presenting on their new website from Friday 5 June.
Rotherham Libraries will also be supporting this year’s challenge by putting on events online throughout the summer, starting in June with library staff talking about their favourite children’s books.
Throughout the summer there will be regular posts on the Rotherham Libraries Facebook site on Friday afternoons, including staff recommendations of what to read and craft activities including how to make ‘Silly Slime’ and ‘Sock Puppets’ as well as the special ‘Crazy Catapult Caper’.
There are many exciting ebooks available via the Rotherham Libraries website, and anyone who doesn’t have access to a computer at home can get in touch with the library team so that they can arrange for them to collect books and printed activity sheets.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener Communities, Cllr Sarah Allen, said: “Fun reading challenges like the Silly Squad is a fantastic way to get children involved with reading and get them talking about their favourite books. There are so many books available through the Council’s online library service or through our special collection options – there is something to suit everyone’s interest and reading ability so I would encourage everyone, both children and their family to get involved!”
Last year over 1,600 children signed up, with more than 1,000 of them successfully completing the challenge of reading six books in the six weeks’ summer holiday.
The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read anything and everything as part of the Challenge this year, as we realise it may not be as easy as usual to obtain physical books.
To take part in Silly Squad, all children need to do is sign up on the Reading Agency Website at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk, keep an eye out on the Rotherham Libraries Facebook page for more information or call 01709 823606 to leave a message so a member of the team can get back to you.