Valerie attends Summer Reading Challenge event at Parliament

This summer, children aged 4-11 have the opportunity to borrow, read and talk about their favourite books by taking part in the exciting Summer Reading Challenge.

At a Parliamentary reception hosted by the Libraries APPG and the Reading Agency on Wednesday 5 June 2019, I was presented with some books, which I will be donating to Darlaston Library in Walsall South. I heard about the Agency’s work to promote reading amongst people of all ages.

The Reading Agency says that reading for pleasure can promote better health and wellbeing, and is important to a child’s cognitive development. Research also suggests that reading for just 30 minutes a week is associated with higher life satisfaction and better sleeping patterns.

The Summer Reading Challenge reaches children and young people of all ages. It helps get over 700,000 children into libraries each year to keep up their reading skills and confidence, encouraging children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday.

For pre-schoolers there is a mini challenge, while young people (aged 13 to 24) can volunteer and support younger children taking part. Volunteering provides a quality workplace experience for young people in libraries. Last year over 6,790 young people across the UK volunteered.

This year, the Reading Challenge’s theme is ‘Space Chase’, inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, and begins on Saturday 13 July. Children can sign up for free at their local library.

#SummerReadingChallenge #SpaceChase