Plymouth children get free reading challenge from 4 July

Plymouth families can sign children up for the Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat from Saturday 4 July, with free entry at local libraries across the city.

The reading programme is aimed at children aged four to 11 and is designed to keep them reading during the school holidays. Plymouth City Council says children can join at their local library, set their own reading goals and collect rewards as they make progress.

Music, stories and rewards across Plymouth libraries

This year’s challenge is called Read to the Beat, with a theme built around music, rhythm and creativity. The idea is to encourage children to discover stories during the summer break while linking reading with sound, imagination and performance.

As children work towards their own reading goals, they can collect stickers, wristbands and other incentives. Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a certificate and medal.

Plymouth libraries are also due to run activities throughout the summer, including craft sessions, storytelling and music-inspired events. The council has not listed a single venue because the programme is taking place through local libraries across Plymouth.

A summer programme for younger readers

The Summer Reading Challenge is run by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries. It is now in its 27th year and takes place across the UK each summer.

For Plymouth, this year’s programme also arrives during the 150th anniversary of the first free public library in the city. Councillor Tess Blight, Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said the challenge was a way to encourage children to enjoy “a book – or six” over the summer holiday.

She said Plymouth libraries were “especially excited” to see young readers and families joining Read to the Beat and collecting rewards along the way.

The wider challenge has a large library footprint nationally. According to the source information, more than 11 million books were borrowed from UK libraries during last year’s Summer Reading Challenge, including audio and e-books.

How families can take part

Parents and carers do not need to book through a separate ticketing system based on the details released. Children can sign up for free at their local library in Plymouth from Saturday 4 July.

The council says further details will be available through its Summer Reading Challenge page and social media channels, but the key action for families is simple: visit a local library, register for Read to the Beat and begin setting a reading goal for the school holidays.

Source: Plymouth City Council