Summer Reading Challenge

This year the national Summer Reading Challenge ran in Hampshire ire libraries from 16 July to 11 September, with the theme Circus Stars.

The challenge was for children to read any six books over the summer and they collected rewards to mark their progress.

Every child who completed the challenge received a medal and certificate.

In 2012 the challenge will tie in with the Olympics.

Information for parents and carers

The Summer Reading Challenge is not a race and we hope that children will carry on reading throughout the holidays. Choose books that are appropriate to the reading level of your child – hard enough for it to be a challenge but easy enough for them to succeed.

When your child returns books during the summer, please tell the staff that you are participating in the Challenge, so we can make sure that your books are recorded and you get all the posters and stickers.

Every year some children start the challenge but are very disappointed because they don’t get to finish it . Please do all you can to encourage your children to finish and to get their medal.

The Summer Reading Challenge can help prepare 4 year olds for school. Read the book to them and let them point out things in the pictures and talk about the bits they like. Why not get them to retell the story to you?

If your child has just started to read, share the reading with them and use the Challenge to encourage and expand their reading. Libraries have a range of books designed for early readers – please ask if you cannot find them.

Older children enjoy choosing their own books. Remember you can also include information books if your child prefers facts to fiction. Stories on tape or CD and Playaways also count.