The sun is out and school holidays are getting underway, which can only mean it is time for the children’s Summer Reading Challenge across Bromley libraries.
Residents are encouraged to get down to their local Bromley libraries to get set up for the challenge, with plenty of stickers and a poster to pick up when reading through the summer. Children reading six or more library books before returning to school in September will also earn the coveted Summer Reading Challenge medal.
This year, the theme is Story Garden - Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors, so look out for plenty of special themed activities taking place across Bromley libraries this summer. Or why not take a book to one of many beautiful green spaces across the borough for a mini reading adventure.
A council spokesperson said: “Switching screen time for a good book can have huge benefits for children, helping to set them up for success while potentially founding a great new hobby! We encourage as many children as possible to get involved and for parents to help carve out some time this summer for reading, with plenty of fun taking place in our libraries to help keep everyone engaged.”
Bromley’s libraries are run by the council’s partners GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), the charitable social enterprise operating under the ‘Better’ brand.
A GLL spokesperson said: “This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme inspires children to explore the magical connection between storytelling and nature. There will be a whole range of free activities taking place in the libraries as part of the challenge, including Shakespeare Workshops from the Globe Theatre and Nzinga Dance workshops. There will also be a series of events with the following children’s authors: Gareth P. Jones; Venessa Taylor; Candy Gourlay; Marcela Ferreira; Margaret Bateson Hill, Fiona Woodcock, Alom Shaha and Adeola Sokunbi. Check our website or social media pages to see what’s happening or give your local library a call.”
Reading for pleasure is the biggest indicator of a child’s future success according to research, more important than factors such as parents’ educational background or household income, with the research carried out by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (PDF - 365 KB).
Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Public Affairs, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk.