Worcestershire libraries seek Wild World Heroes to take on the Summer Reading Challenge!

Worcestershire Libraries are calling all children aged 4 to 11 years to take part in this year’s Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge. 

Led by the Reading Agency and delivered through public libraries across the UK, the Summer Reading Challenge is an annual event  designed to encourage children aged 4 to 11 years to keep reading for pleasure over the summer holidays.

For 2021, the Reading Agency have teamed up with the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to create a nature themed challenge, dedicated to raising awareness of real-world environmental issues and giving children the opportunity to explore ways of helping to save the planet. 

Due to ongoing Covid restrictions, this year’s challenge will be a mixture of online and face to face activity. 

Face to face registration for the traditional six book Summer Reading Challenge will not be available in libraries. Children need to sign up online and set their own reading goal via the Summer Reading Challenge website.

Once registered, participants can visit their local library to collect a ‘Wild World Heroes Adventure Sheet’ and explore library shelves for books to borrow.

The Wild World Heroes Adventure Sheet includes a 7-step challenge trail and children will be able to collect a stamp after each step they complete. Those who achieve their reading goal can download a certificate online and collect a reading wristband from the library.

To support COVID recovery, Worcestershire libraries are working more closely with schools this year to ensure that children most in need of improving their reading and literacy skills take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. Resource packs are being provided so that children can be registered in the classroom before the end of the summer term.

This approach will benefit more children in areas of disadvantage and encourage more families to read together for pleasure over the summer holidays, visit their local library to borrow books and take part in free events and activities. 

Councillor Matt Dormer, cabinet member with responsibility for communities, at Worcestershire County Council said, “After the impact of the pandemic on children’s education, the Summer Reading Challenge is more timely than ever. We hope to inspire hundreds of children to read for pleasure over the summer holidays and reap the many benefits that libraries offer.

By working more closely with schools we hope to get as many children involved as possible this year. Library staff will be on hand to support and motivate children taking part with plenty of online and face to face events over the summer."

The Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge will run until 12 September. More information about how to register, take part and sign up for activities and events, visit the libraries website.

Worcestershire libraries have also set up a dedicated Facebook page where children and families can share highlights from their reading journey with library staff and keep up to date with Summer Reading Challenge news, events and activities.