Children across County Durham are being encouraged to dive into library books over the summer as part of a Summer Reading Challenge.
Durham County Council has launched a Summer Reading Challenge, which invites young readers to set a personal reading goal and earn rewards for the books they complete during the school holidays.
Running at all 39 libraries across the county, the challenge is aimed at children aged four to 11.
Councillor Karen Allison, cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: "Reading is an excellent hobby and an important skill to have.
"For children, it helps develop their thinking and literacy skills, sparks their creativity and boosts their wellbeing.
"The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to keep reading during the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for a great start to the autumn term when they go back to school.
"We’ve combined the reading challenge with some fantastic activities over the six weeks’ holidays to give families fun things to do together while helping to nurture the joy of reading."
Delivered in partnership with The Reading Agency, this year’s theme is 'Read to the Beat', inspiring children to explore the connection between stories and songs.
Throughout the summer, children can take part in musical story sessions, poetry performances, drawing workshops, and even Viking-themed activities.
Hands-on sessions with insects and reptiles are also on offer.
Children who sign up can enjoy these events for free, but places must be booked in advance and are only open to those taking part in the challenge.
Read more
North Yorkshire libraries hit the right note with ‘Read to the Beat’ scheme
Women at War summer programme launches at North Yorkshire museum
Bookings can be made directly with individual libraries.
Some of the county’s libraries will have musical craft activities linked to the Durham Brass festival, which runs from July 12 to 19.
Libraries will host themed craft sessions inspired by the festival’s street bands.
A special performance at Clayport Library will coincide with the festival’s Streets of Brass event.
The programme of events for the Summer Reading Challenge includes:
Monday, July 20
Bigfoot Beats, an interactive session with Bigfoot Arts for ages seven to 11, will take place from 10.30am to 11.30am at Chester-le-Street Library and from 1pm to 2pm at Newton Hall Library.
Tuesday, July 21
Bugs N Stuff, a hands-on workshop featuring insects and other animals, will run from 10am to 11am at Murton Library.
Thursday, July 23
Storyteller Chris Bostock will share stories from around the world at Belmont Library from 10am to 11.30am.
Thursday, July 30
Bugs N Stuff will visit Lanchester Library from 10am to 11am and Spennymoor Library from 1pm to 2pm.
Bigfoot Beats will run from 10.30am to 11.30am at Seaham Library.
Liz Million Draw Along sessions will be held at Newton Aycliffe Library from 10.30am to 11.30am, and at Bishop Auckland Town Hall Library from 1.15pm to 2.15pm.
Monday, August 3
Bugs N Stuff will be at Brandon Library from 10am to 11am.
Tuesday, August 4
Face painting will be available from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Stanley Library, and from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Langley Park Library.
More activities will take place throughout August, including a Viking workshop on August 6 at Sedgefield Library, and story sessions with Stacey Bone at Cornforth Library on August 11 and Pelton Library on August 19.
To sign up, children simply need to visit their nearest County Durham library.
A full list of libraries and activity updates can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/libraries or by following @CountyDurhamLibraries on Facebook.
Share