Get ready for Wild World Heroes, Summer Reading Challenge 2021, online and in libraries across Northern Ireland from now until 18 September 2021.
The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with The Reading Agency and WWF and will encourage reading for pleasure for children aged 4 to 11 over the summer holidays. This year’s theme is Wild World Heroes which inspires children to explore ways of helping to save the planet.
Children can sign up for free now by calling into their local library. Once registered, each child will receive a free collector’s folder and choose their own personal reading goal, then read any book to collect special stickers and other rewards along the way. Everyone who completes their personal challenge at the end of the summer, will receive a certificate and a medal.
Exciting events and activities will take place online throughout the summer months alongside a fun, immersive digital platform full of great reading activities for all children to continue the fun at home.
Jim O’Hagan, Libraries NI Chief Executive said: “Research has shown reading over the summer holidays helps keep children’s reading levels up before going back to school in September. Engagement with the Summer Reading Challenge motivates children to read more over the summer and according to The Reading Agency, evidence shows it also supports wellbeing and family connectedness – something that is so vital in a post pandemic landscape where children are estimated to have lost at least two months of learning in reading.
“Libraries across Northern Ireland have a large range of books, eBooks and audiobooks available to borrow for free and this year’s Challenge has been set to really help young readers and parents maximise opportunities to engage with fun nature-themed topics and stories. With ideas from the WWF, we can all learn how to help tackle real-world environmental issues such as plastic pollution, deforestation and wildlife decline.”
Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, said: “We’re delighted to be announcing further details of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, and to have the support of our wonderful ambassadors, Dara McAnulty and Steve Backshall. We hope that this year, more children than ever will feel inspired and encouraged to sign up to the Challenge. After a difficult year for many, we are immensely grateful for the continued and longstanding support of public libraries, and we’re looking forward to working closely with them to help get children reading, alongside our brilliant partners and sponsors.”
Visit librariesni.org.uk for more information and to find your nearest library.