Ready, Set, Read! Summer Reading Challenge 2023

On your marks! It’s time for Ready,Set,Read! the Summer Reading Challenge 2023 and Explore York Libraries and Archives are excited to launch the challenge on Saturday 8 July.

Children aged 4-11 can visit their local Explore library this summer, join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots and get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge themed around play, games, sport and physical activity.

The characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, with  free rewards including stickers, pencils, frisbees and a medal.  Using activity challenges from the Youth Sport Trust, and a wide choice of books, the Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep bodies, minds and imaginations active over the summer holidays. Young people who join in with the challenge at Explore Libraries will discover new books to read and develop new skills and interests.

Our programme of fun packed, low-cost events includes sessions for younger children such as ARTventurers craft activities and Mud Pie Arts storytelling sessions; family activities including Hula Hooping and Japanese Drumming workshops; activities for older children and teens such as POW! Power of Women creative retreats and Explore Theatre workshops.

Lyndsay Glover, Explore Service Developer for Children, Young People and Schools said,  “Taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge is more than a fun activity for children who already love reading.  It is also a great way to encourage reluctant readers to pick up a book over the summer, giving children the choice to read whatever interests them and receiving rewards as they do, really helps them to develop the important habit of reading for pleasure.  

“I’m delighted with our programme of activities which runs alongside the Reading Challenge this summer, they will provide children and families with the opportunity to try new and exciting activities at an affordable price.”

Jenny Layfield, Chief Executive of Explore York said, “Working within communities to develop a love of reading is so incredibly important to us at Explore and it is especially important that we help ignite that passion in the children of York. Children love telling us and our team love hearing all about what children have been reading over the summer. Children who take part in the Summer Reading Challenge grow in confidence with their reading and improve their attainment in literacy. Explore also offers a range of activities and events during the Challenge, all of which are low cost or free thanks to the invaluable support of donors, and if you would like to make a donation to support us you can do so in a library or online via our website.

“Last year 2998 children joined in the Challenge – let’s make this year an even bigger one!! ”  

To find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge and our summer programme of events visit  https://exploreyork.org.uk/children/summer-reading-challenge/ or call into your local Explore library.