Surge in summer story readers

Saturday 08 August 2020

With many local families choosing to stay at home this summer, 1,400 children in Jersey have decided to take part in a reading challenge for entertainment.

Jersey Library’s Summer reading challenge has seen a significant increase in participants this year with 300 more packs handed out this year compared to last year.

Having launched on the 17 July, the summer challenge aims to encourage children aged between four and 11 to read six books during the summer.

If this is completed before 12 September, children will receive a medal and a certificate in the autumn term. 

Pictured: The Summer reading Challenge was launched on 17th July this year.

Following the pandemic, the library decided include e-books in the challenge to reduce the risk of infection as well as allowing children to read their own books instead of borrowing from the library and discussing the books with their parents instead of coming into the library. 

Cathy Bithell, Team Leader who manages the Challenge, said: “I know so many children look forward to taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, and I’m thrilled that we’ve had such a fantastic response, despite the slight changes to the way the Challenge will work. There is still time to take part, so I’d urge any keen readers to visit the Jersey Library or the mobile library to pick up their packs.”

The challenge first began in 1999, with each year bring a new theme to the reading challenge.

This years’ theme is Silly Squad, while previous ones have included 'Space Chase' and 'Animal Agents'.