The Big Friendly Read – Summer Reading Challenge 2016
Organised by The Reading Agency (www.readingagency.org.uk) and the UK public library network since 1999, the Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for children aged 4 to 11. Last year, in North Lanarkshire 2000 children took part.
The Summer Reading Challenge combines FREE access to books with fun, creative activities in the library during the summer holidays. Throughout the Challenge, library staff and teenage volunteers support the children, helping them to discover new authors and to explore a wide range of different types of books and ways of reading,
How the Challenge works
- Children sign up at their local library and receive The Big Friendly Read collector folder
- Children borrow and read at least six library books of their own choice during the summer, collecting special cards to complete their folder and rewards along the way
- Library staff and teenage volunteers are on hand to advise and run family-friendly activities
Children who complete the Summer Reading Challenge are presented with a certificate and a medal
How do schools benefit?
- The Summer Reading Challenge is intrinsically inclusive and can contribute to the achievement
- of ALL your pupils including those with special educational needs, disadvantaged pupils and
- the most ableIt enhances and supports your school’s reading policy and your mission for all children to read more widely and for pleasure
- It encourages parental engagement and family involvement in reading and helps your school make links with the library and the wider community
- It can be the start of a child’s reading journey and prevent the tendency for children’s reading to dip over the holidays
It takes place at your local library and is a brilliant opportunity for extra-curricular activity
There is a special school resource pack full of fun, creative ideas and activities to inspire children and families to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. This can be downloaded at: https://readingagency.org.uk/resources/1428/
We can also arrange to visit your school to tell pupils more about taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge or even present a special assembly, outlining how we will be running the Challenge locally. This year the school with the most pupils participating will win a special prize – but more of that later!
By championing the Summer Reading Challenge in your school, you will be continuing to support your pupils’ learning during the holidays, ensuring they return ready for a great start to the new academic year.
It’s FUN! It’s FREE! It’s LOCAL!
