Celebrate Roald Dahl in reading challenge

Libraries across Nottinghamshire are celebrating 100 years of one of the world's favourite storytellers, Roald Dahl, with The Big Friendly Read as part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2016.
This year's Summer Reading Challenge celebrates Roald DahlThis year's Summer Reading Challenge celebrates Roald Dahl
This year's Summer Reading Challenge celebrates Roald Dahl

The Summer Reading Challenge asks four to 11 year-olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer.

This annual challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and run in libraries across the country.

It has a new theme each year and in 2016 the Challenge is delivered in collaboration with The Roald Dahl Literary Estate to celebrate 100 years of the author.

Children sign up at their nearest library to receive a free collector folder to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.

As they progress they collect special collector cards to complete their folder.

The cards all feature original Quentin Blake illustrations and explore some of most popular themes in Roald Dahl’s books such as invention, mischief and friendship.

There’s a certificate and medal for every child who completes the challenge by reading six books.

Last year in Nottinghamshire 10,419 children took part.

We hope even more will be inspired to take part this year, as it’s the first year Inspire has delivered the challenge in libraries – just one of the cultural services it now runs for Nottinghamshire.

Inspire is a Community Benefit Society which delivers a range of cultural, art, library and learning services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a wonderful scheme which always attracts thousands of children to take part each year and research shows it helps to boost their literacy skills during the holidays.

The challenge further promotes the value and fun of reading for children within Nottinghamshire’s libraries, with lots of rewards for them to earn on the way.

Every child who completes the challenge by reading six library books will receive a medal, certificate and a pair of marvellous rainbow glasses.

There are lots of brilliant activities running at libraries inspired by the wonderful works of Road Dahl, with events taking place at libraries during the summer holidays.

It’s all free fun and a great way to keep children reading over the summer holidays.

The Big Friendly Read was launched in Nottinghamshire libraries on July 16 and runs until September 11.

Visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge for details.