Reading matters as summer challenge branches out

Four-year-old Esme Bond with Councillor Janet Emsley, Joanna Yeomans and Michelle Krauza (both from the council's library service)

One of the nation’s best loved children’s comics will provide the inspiration for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge across local libraries.

The Beano has charmed generations of young people with popular characters like Dennis the Menace, Roger the Dodger and the Bash Street Kids.

Now, 80 years on since it first hit the shelves, the anniversary of the famous title will be celebrated through this year’s Reading Challenge theme, Mischief Makers.

Children can sign up at any of the borough’s 17 libraries, where they will receive a collector’s poster of ‘Beanotown’ to help keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey. As they read their books, each child will receive special stickers to complete their poster.

The reading challenge is free and open to children aged 4 to 11. It encourages them to read up to six titles over the school summer holiday. All youngsters completing the challenge will be presented with certificates and medals.

More than 900 children took part in last year’s Summer Reading Challenge, an annual initiative from national charity The Reading Agency, whose aim is to inspire everyone to read for pleasure. It is delivered by the council’s library service.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for libraries, said: “The Beano has charmed and captivated generations of young people with its loveable characters and timeless stories. It’s a really innovative theme for the Summer Reading Challenge and I hope children across the borough enjoy a fantastic summer of reading, learning and fun.”

This year’s Summer Reading challenge runs from Saturday 14 July to Saturday 8 September.