Children invited to join Space Chase at LiveArgyll libraries
LiveArgyll libraries are calling for children to sign up to read six books this summer as part of Space Chase, Summer Reading Challenge 2019.
The Summer Reading Challenge asks 4-11 year olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer. The theme for the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge is Space Chase, inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.
Children will team up with futuristic family The Rockets for an exciting space mission as they track down books nabbed by a mischievous band of aliens. As children read library books for the Summer Reading Challenge, they will receive special stickers, some with mysterious smells as surprise LiveArgyll gifts during the challenge. By adding these stickers to their collectable mission folders, young readers will help the Rockets solve clues, dodge asteroids and discover the missing books, having lots of fun and adventures along the way.
To take part in Space Chase, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest LiveArgyll library, where they will be given a collector folder to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.
Space Chase launches in libraries across Argyll and Bute from 22nd June until the end of August.
There’s a whole programme of events and activities planned at LiveArgyll libraries for families over the summer to celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge, including storytelling, design your own t-shirts and create a clay character. Just contact your local library or visit our website www.liveargyll.co.uk for further information.
“I’m so excited to be doing the Summer Reading Challenge in Helensburgh Library this summer and I really enjoyed it last year. I love reading books.” Sarah, primary school pupil from Helensburgh.
The Summer Reading Challenge celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is the UK’s biggest literacy campaign, with a different theme each year. The theme for 2019 is Space Chase, an out-of-this-world adventure inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing that celebrates adventure, exploration, reading and fun.
Children taking part in the scheme will join super space family the Rockets in a thrilling mission to track down books nabbed from the Moon Library by mischievous aliens. The characters have been drawn especially for the challenge by top children’s illustrator Adam Stower.
Kevin Anderson, General Manager of LiveArgyll Libraries, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a brilliant way of engaging children in the world of storytelling. Those taking on the challenge develop their literacy skills while having fun over the summer holidays.
“Reading for pleasure from an early age is proven to have a lifelong impact on both wellbeing and social confidence. Parents and their children also have the opportunity of share something new and exciting together.”
Sue Wilkinson, CEO of The Reading Agency said: “At The Reading Agency, we tackle life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. We know from our research that families and children love taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, and we are proud to have been running the Challenge for twenty years this year. The space theme has been chosen to coincide with the 5Oth anniversary of the first moon landing. Last summer, children worked with illustrator Adam Stower to come up with ideas for the Space Chase adventure, and we hope the Challenge will inspire all children to use their local library and to read lots of great books throughout the summer and beyond.”
The campaign is produced by the Reading Agency and delivered by libraries across the country. Reading Agency research has shown that reading for pleasure can have multiple long-term benefits for children’s development. It improves literacy and is more important to a child’s academic success than socio-economic status or the level of their parents’ education. Studies have also found that those who read in their spare time have higher levels of empathy, greater self-esteem and are better to cope with difficult situations.
