This summer, open up a world of imagination and adventure at the local library.
Join Quest Seekers, and
we’ll help get your kids hooked on books!
Every year, thousands of families all over the country are involved in the UK’s biggest reading event for children in libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge. Organised by The Reading Agency, the challenge has become a regular highlight in the library calendar. For 2009, the Challenge is called Quest Seekers.
The aim of the challenge is to get children to read six books from their local library during the summer holidays. We’re asking children all over the UK to take part in a fantasy quest and join Belle, Louis and Raj – the Quest Seekers – in their search for the golden book.
Everyone who signs up for the Summer Reading Challenge 2009 receives a moving image membership card and can keep track of the books they read on a special fold-out poster. It’s great fun for kids and there are gaps on the poster that can be filled in with stickers when they next visit the library (children particularly like the scratch and sniff stickers that are really smelly!). What’s more, it doesn’t cost a penny to join.
Why Quest Seekers?
This year’s theme for The Summer Reading Challenge is all about the power of the imagination. It will take young readers into a mysterious and wondrous land where they can discover the joy of reading and nurture a life-long love affair with books.
Quest Seekers highlights the wealth of fantasy writing for children available right now, but it also embraces all kinds of books. It’s an imaginative and fun way to encourage children to read.
The Summer Reading Challenge is an interactive experience that children love to take part in over the holidays. It gets them into libraries and gives them the confidence they need to choose their own books and take their reading to the next stage. For many children, the Summer Reading Challenge is just the incentive they need to turn them into readers for life.
Super Size materials
Working with the RNIB, the Reading Challenge has created super size posters and stickers (still scratch and sniff) with extra large print, available for children who are visually impaired or children who have visually impaired parents/carers. There are accompanying information sheets about the Challenge in Braille and a Quest Seekers certificate in Braille. Ask at your library for these resources.
The RNIB also loans books in Braille, giant print (24 point type) and audio, for children and young people aged 5 upwards. Books are delivered by post free of charge and children can borrow six books at a time. A themed book list for the Summer Reading Challenge will also be available from RNIB to help blind and partially sighted children complete the 'Quest'. It is quick and easy to join the library - email childrenslibrarian@rnib.org.uk or call direct on 0161 355 2061
How do I sign my child up?
Just head to your local library. Staff will enrol your children – it’s completely free of charge – and every child will receive a foldout poster and membership card.
What books can my children read?
The Summer Reading Challenge is designed for children of all ages and reading abilities. They can read any books they like – fact books, stories, joke books, picture books – it’s up to them. Audio books count too! As long as you’re borrowing them from the library, they all count.
Do the children who finish the challenge receive anything?
Yes, everybody gets a certificate, and there may be other rewards from your library, too. Just ask them when you join up.
Do any other countries do the Summer Reading Challenge?
23 different countries around the world are joining in with Quest Seekers, thanks to the British Council. So watch out for messages on the Quest Seekers website from children in far-flung places! www.questseekers.org.uk
The Adventure Continues...
Log on to the Quest seekers website, and the adventure really will take flight! www.questseekers.org.uk
Quest for Success
Download a leaflet on how to help your child on their quest to complete the Summer Reading Challenge:
- Parent leaflet (pdf)
