Swindon's Summer Reading Challenge returns

The Summer Reading Challenge returns to Swindon tomorrow - 8 July - with a fun-packed free launch event at the Central Library in the town centre.

Running until Saturday, 9 September, the challenge encourages children and young people to read for pleasure during the summer holidays. 

This year’s theme of ‘Ready, Set, Read’ links reading with sport and games and ties in with the Women’s World Cup starting at the end of the month.

The Summer Reading Challenge asks children to complete six reads over the summer, noting each completed read in their Challenge Folder and giving it a star rating and a sticker. Once the six reads are finished, children bring their folder into any Swindon library to receive their celebration certificate and medal.

Allie Brown, Development Manager at Swindon Libraries, said “We’re really excited about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge launch event. 

“We’ve not been able to run them for the last few years due to the pandemic, so we wanted to make this year’s launch a special one.

“The Summer Reading Challenge is for all children and young people, not just those who already love reading. We’re keen to involve non-readers and emphasise reading for pleasure – so reading choices can be everything from factual to fiction to comics and joke books. 

“With nearly 30,000 children’s books in our libraries, we think every child can find something they’ll enjoy. And digital reading, including eBooks, eMagazines and eAudiobooks are included in the Challenge. They can all be borrowed for free from us, so children can read whatever and however they like.

“We also have a selection of non-English and dual language books from Arabic to Somali to Ukrainian. As well as dyslexia-friendly and Braille books. So there’s something for different languages, ages, abilities and interests.”

All parents or carers need to do is register their child at the library and have a library card. Participants can sign-up in any library or on the Swindon Libraries website. 

Any outstanding children’s fines are being suspended until the Summer Reading Challenge ends. If a child account has existing fines, or children have lost books or library cards, library staff will make sure all children who want to take part can do so.

Included in the Challenge Pack, which every challenge member will receive while stocks last, is a special ‘Create a Colourful Creature’ competition by Swindon Libraries’ Children's Patron, the award-winning writer and illustrator Steve Antony. 

Entries will be judged by Steve himself, with prizes including a place at a special Meet Steve Antony event at Central Library in January. Winners will also receive a signed copy of Steve’s new Rainbowsaurus book. One overall winner will receive a visit from Steve to their school or education setting.

Tomorrow's event on Saturday, which takes place between 10.30am and 1.30pm, will see Steve Antony officially opening the launch with a red ribbon cutting ceremony, with help from local children.

Children will then be able to try circus skills with local events company Fandangos. Let’s Ride Swindon is running a short guided bike ride of the local area using quiet streets and traffic-free cycle paths. Families just need to bring their bikes and meet outside Central Library at 11am. 

There will be a Smoothie Bike, where children pedal to power a blender and make their own fruit smoothies, plus lots of games and sporty activities to try.

Outside of the library and aimed at younger children, Swindon Library Service has created a Family StoryTrail in Queen’s Park, which runs until the end of July. All activities are free and no booking is required.

For children who are more creative than active, a Creation Station will be open where, among other things, children can design their own Swinpup – linking in with the Big Dog Art Trail puppy sculptures in libraries from 15 July. Each of the five Council Libraries will have a Creation Station for the duration of the Challenge.

As an incentive to take part in the Challenge, the first 100 children to register at the launch event will receive a free mini Frisbee and a free book alongside their challenge pack. 

Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Heritage, Art and Culture, said: “I’m so happy that the Reading Challenge is happening again after being on hiatus because of the pandemic. It’s a celebration of reading and of libraries that inspires all children to get into reading, and get awarded a medal to boot!

“Reading is a hobby that opens doors to the world – we travel in books, we meet wizards and talking lions and people from other times and places. I hope children from all parts of Swindon will discover and grow their love of reading thanks to this challenge, and I’m looking forward to hearing about the books they discover on their journey.”

To support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to engage with the Summer Reading Challenge, particularly those with more profound learning and physical needs, Swindon Stories, in collaboration with Swindon SEND Families Voice, has created a free activities sheet. Copies are available from libraries, in the Summer Reading Challenge packs, and on the Swindon Library website.