Space hop attracts over a thousand children

Two Space Hoppers accept their challenge rewards

Children across the borough are getting hooked on books thanks to this year’s Summer Reading challenge.

This year’s theme is alien inspired, and so far in little more than a month, over a 1000 children have taken part.

The Space Hop continues until 25 September 2010 and organisers have high hopes to attract more ‘Space Hoppers’ this year than ever before.

Last year a whopping 1700 Space Hoppers took up the challenge.

‘Space Hop’ events are taking place across the borough’s libraries, with the aim of signing children up to complete six books over the holiday period. All of the events are free and reading is incentivised with collectable rewards, including a certificate and medal for every child who completes the challenge.

It links into the 2010 BBC Year of Science, and CBBC's Space Hoppers, which saw two intrepid travellers investigate worlds beyond our planet and find out how to holiday in outer space.

Councillor Greg Couzens said: “Space Hop is just one of many exciting schemes our libraries are developing to help children love reading. We know that if we can develop a love of reading among our children it will help to raise aspirations, develop skills – and stand them in good stead in later life.

“Space Hop is a fun and interactive way of getting children into our libraries and gives them the confidence they need to choose their own books and take their reading to the next stage.”

Children between the ages of 4 and 11 can sign up at their local library and all materials are absolutely free.

Everyone who signs up for the Summer Reading Challenge 2010 can keep track of the books they read on a special fold-out poster.

There’s still plenty of time to get involved.

To find out more visit the official website at www.spacehop.org.uk