Summer adventure for youngsters
03 July 2009
Libraries across South Gloucestershire are getting ready to welcome children into a fantastical adventure that will keep them reading throughout the school summer holidays.
The 2009 Summer Reading Challenge invites youngsters aged four to 12 to become a Quest Seeker and enter a mysterious and wondrous land where they can discover the joy of reading and nurture a life-long love affair with reading and books.
The adventure starts in their local library, where young Quest Seekers meet Cadmus the gatekeeper. Cadmus challenges them to bring back a golden book, and there are three stages to their quest: Firebird Rising, Mountain Mission and Dragon’s Lair.
The Summer Reading Challenge is an immensely popular and successful reading initiative. Now in its 11th year it reaches 690,000 children aged four to 12 years annually via the UK library network. It is created and run by The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to inspire more people to read more, and is supported by children’s publishers.
Each year the Summer Reading Challenge to children is simple. They’re encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate or medal for every child who completes the Challenge.
Quest Seekers is designed to promote the local library as a place of wonder for children, where librarians can offer them invaluable advice and guidance to help them through their quest.
Participants collect stickers (some are smelly scratch and sniff ones) to complete a fabulous Quest poster. They can read two books to receive a moving image Quest Seeker membership card and sticker, and read four to claim a bookmark and surprise prize. If they read six books they complete the challenge for a medal, certificate and free DVD hire voucher.
Children can sign up from July 18 at any South Gloucestershire library (with the exception of Yate who do not have the space in their temporary building but are holding related activities around the town). All materials are absolutely free, and there are also large print Summer Reading Challenge materials available for visually impaired children, thanks to the support of the RNIB National Library Service. There is also a packed programme of activities for each exciting Quest stage.
For more information search for quest seekers at www.southglos.gov.uk or visit the interactive Quest Seekers website , www.questseekers.org.uk, which links children with top authors and illustrators, and gives them space to talk about their favourite books and take part in online Quest Seeker games and activities.
Councillor Heather Goddard, South Gloucestershire Council’s executive member for communities, said: "Research shows that children really enjoy taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge.
"It’s a great way to keep them entertained over the holidays, but more importantly, we know that children who take part read more books and read more widely than those who don’t, with potentially life-changing results."
ENDS
