Annual reading challenge for young people launches this weekend
Families across Wirral are being invited to take part once again in the Summer Reading Challenge, an annual themed event that encourages young people to read and visit their local library more.
Organised by the Reading Agency and co-ordinated locally by Wirral libraries, this year’s event challenges readers to explore the magical connection between storytelling and the natural world with this year’s theme, “Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors”.
Launching tomorrow (July 5th), the Summer Reading Challenge invites children aged four to 11 to visit their local library, discover new books and enjoy a summer filled with fun, imagination, and outdoor inspiration.
Featuring beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Dapo Adeola, ‘Story Garden’ offers young readers a world of stories, creatures, and nature-based adventures.
Children will receive a booklet into which they can put stickers as they collect them. They will also take part in nature-themed events and borrow specially selected books — all designed to keep them curious, active, and engaged with reading over the summer holidays.
Our staff are really excited to welcome children and families in to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. It’s a brilliant way to spark a love of reading while encouraging young minds to explore nature and creativity. It will be amazing to see our library buildings transformed into ‘Story Gardens’ this summer.
Now in its 26th year, the Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries and is completely free to join. In 2024, the Challenge reached nearly 600,000 children and inspired over 100,000 new library memberships across the UK.
Story Garden will create magical spaces where children can explore and be curious, combining the joy of reading with the wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature. We’re particularly excited to be working with Dapo Adeola, whose illustrations will bring these adventures to life.
To find out how to join in the fun and discover events happening at Wirral Libraries, find their account on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the library page on the Wirral Council website or go to the Summer Reading Challenge website
