Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has lent her support to a campaign run by charity The Reading Agency, to encourage all primary school children to take part in this year’s Summer Reaching Challenge – the UK’s largest reading for pleasure promotion.
Research has shown that reading for pleasure is a more powerful factor in life achievement that socio-economic background, and that children who use libraries are twice as likely to be above-average readers. The aim of the Challenge is to build confidence and independent reading, whilst preventing the dip in children’s reading levels that can happen during the long break from school.
The Summer Reading Challenge is a partnership between The Reading Agency, and public libraries across the UK which last saw over 780,000 children borrowing, reading and talking about their favourite books.
It has a new theme each year, and in 2016 the Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in collaboration with The Roald Dahl Literary Estate to celebrate 100 years of the world’s favourite storyteller.
The Big Friendly Read will feature some of Roald Dahl’s best-loved characters and the amazing artwork of his principal illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake. It will encourage reading on a giant scale.
To take part, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library. They’ll receive a special collector’s folder and, as they borrow and read at least six library books over the summer, they can collect six special cards to complete it. The cards all feature original Quentin Blake illustrations and explore some of most popular themes in Roald Dahl’s books such as invention, mischief and friendship.
Children can use the special website bigfriendlyread.org.uk to create a profile, chat about books, and get help on what to read next, via the digital Book Sorter which already offers over 500,000 peer to peer children’s book recommendations in child-friendly categories. Families, libraries and schools can also download a free mobile app sol.us/read which will use the original Quentin Blake illustrations to trigger audio clips, including rare recordings of Roald Dahl sharing his writing tips and reading aloud, and unlock game content.
Last year, 3,515 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge in Newcastle. This year, free Big Friendly Read events are taking place at most libraries across Newcastle over the summer holidays, kicking off with a launch event at the City Library on Saturday 16th July – with more details available here.
Catherine said:
‘Reading for enjoyment is so important, and I hope that as many young people and families as possible will sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge in Newcastle.
‘It’s free, good fun – and will also help to support local libraries across the city, which play such a vital role in our community.’