Justin Backs Summer Reading Challenge

Local MP Justin Tomlinson has added his support to a campaign run by charity The Reading Agency which encourages all primary school children to join their local library and take part in this year's Summer Reading Challenge - the UK's largest reading for pleasure promotion for primary school children. 

A unique partnership between The Reading Agency and public libraries across the UK, the Summer Reading Challenge got a record 810,000 children reading in the summer holidays in 2013. With the support of local MPs, libraries, schools and a host of well-known children's authors including Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo, even more children aged 4-11 will be encouraged to join the library and complete the challenge this year.   

Research shows the Summer Reading Challenge increases children's reading range and their enjoyment of reading significantly. It builds confidence and independent reading, while preventing the dip in children's literacy levels during the long break from school.

Each year the Challenge uses a new theme to inject fun and creativity into reading. The 2014 theme is "Mythical Maze", illustrated by award winning Sarah McIntrye. Children sign up at the library and receive a mythical maze poster.  As they borrow and read library books over the summer, children collect stickers of mythical creatures to complete their poster and discover facts about the creatures as they go. It's a highlight of the holidays for thousands of children and families.

Children will also be encouraged to share their love of reading by recommending a book to friends, family and carers with a campaign called 'pass-it-on' this year. The campaign is intended to inspire them to share their reading choices. It is endorsed by the new National Curriculum, which suggests that pupils should be "recommending books that they have read to their peers, giving reasons for their choices."

Justin Tomlinson MP said: "I hope parents, grandparents and carers in North Swindon will take their children to the library to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.  It's free, inclusive and makes reading fun - a vital ingredient in building literacy. Last year 3585 children in Swindon took part in the Challenge. I hope we can increase that number this year and show local libraries what a valuable asset they are to us and our community."