Summer Reading Challenge Success

Over 1,700 children took part in this year’s Jersey Library Summer Reading Challenge, which aims to help children aged between four and eleven enjoy reading more. 

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Jersey Library introduced a different set of rules to reduce the risk of infection. Library staff put together a ‘Reading Challenge at home’ pack that children and parents could collect from the Town Library.

Children could also take part by borrowing books from the Mobile Library, and could read their own books if they were unable to visit the Town Library. 

Instead of talking about a book with library staff, children were encouraged to talk about the books with their parents or a family member. 

Children completed the challenge by reading six books over the course of the summer and for each book they read, they received a sticker to add to their Silly Squad Poster. 

Children who completed the challenge will receive a Silly Squad pencil, a medal and a certificate, which will be sent out to schools next week.

Team Leader, Cathy Bithell, who organised the Challenge, said: “Whilst we really missed the usual summer buzz of having hundreds of children in the library each day and chatting to youngsters about the books they have enjoyed, we are delighted that the Reading Challenge was able to go ahead this year and so many children were encouraged to read at home.

“We’ve had lots of positive feedback from both parents and children, saying it was enjoyable and worked really well at home. The children seemed especially pleased with the scented stickers we included in the packs!”