Libraries across Wiltshire are getting ready to launch children into orbit for an intergalactic adventure with the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge.
The twelfth annual challenge, Space Hop, is part of an exciting free library promotion that runs in Wiltshire from July 17 to September 11.
Wiltshire Council-run libraries are encouraging four to 11 year-olds to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays, with collectable incentives along the way such as glow in the dark wristbands.
Children can sign up at their local library from Saturday, July 17 and all materials are absolutely free. Children are being encouraged to visit their library after this date to pick up their special holographic membership cards while stocks last.
An interactive Space Hop website has also just launched linking children with top authors and illustrators, and giving them space to talk about their favourite books and to share reading ideas. People should visit
www.spacehop.org.uk for more information.
The Summer Reading Challenge is an immensely popular and successful reading initiative. Now in its twelfth year it reaches 750,000 children aged four to 11 years old throughout the UK library network. It is created and run by The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to inspire people to read more, and is supported by children’s publishers.
Space Hop is not a competition, but a personal challenge which offers reading inspiration and incentives to encourage children into libraries, at a time when schools are closed.
Large print Summer Reading Challenge materials are available for visually impaired children, thanks to the support of the RNIB National Library Service.
Sarah Hillier, county children’s librarian at Wiltshire Council, said: “Space Hop is all about sharing reading with families, friends and library staff. It’s also about children stretching themselves in their reading. We look forward to helping children do this. Last year 7,862 children took part in Wiltshire, many said it made a real difference to their reading.”
