This year's Summer Reading Challenge is has now begun - with young bookworms encouraged to read 6 or more library books over the next 6 weeks.

The theme for this year's challenge, organised by the Reading Agency, is Animal Agents, and participants can collect rewards as they go along.

Children aged up to 12 can take the challenge at libraries across Wolverhampton, with more than 30 events - many of them animal themed - also being held over the summer holidays to help them on their way.

Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Elias Mattu, who officially launched the Summer Reading Challenge at Central Children's Library on Saturday (15 July), said: "Our libraries have been supporting the Summer Reading Challenge for more than 10 years and it is always very popular with families.

"Reading is essential for a child's success. It not only helps them to develop their imagination but gives them essential skills for adulthood.

"Last year over 1,200 children took part in this reading scheme so my challenge to the young people of Wolverhampton is to beat that this year!"

He added: "Holding more events in our libraries to attract new users is a key part of our Transforming Libraries Service strategy, and so we are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of young bookworms and their families through our doors during the long summer holidays."

Participants must read any 6 books of their choice from their local library during the holidays, and will collect rewards, stickers and finally a medal to celebrate their success.

Summer activities at Wolverhampton's libraries are as follows:

  • Tuesday 25 July, We're Going on a Bear Hunt (under 7s), Warstones Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm  
     
  • Wednesday 26 July, Summer Six story and Craft session (under 10s), Bilston Library, 11am to 12pm
     
  • Thursday 27 July, Tom Palmer, football author, quiz and penalty shootout (7 plus), Central Children's Library, 11.30am to 12.30pm
     
  • Monday 31 July, Animal story computer workshop (8 to 12 years), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 4pm
     
  • Tuesday 1 August, Wolves Tales story and craft session (4 plus), Spring Vale Library, 11am to 12pm, and Low Hill Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm   
     
  • Tuesday 1 August, The Animal Man (5 plus), Central Children's Library, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, and Warstones Library, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
     
  • Wednesday 2 August, Summer Six story and craft session (under 10s), Bilston Library, 11am to 12pm
     
  • Thursday 3 August, Jungle Jamboree story and craft session (5 plus), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 3.30pm
     
  • Saturday 5 August, Wolves Tales story and craft session (4 plus), Penn Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
     
  • Monday 7 August, Dogs Trust Story Session (4 plus), East Park Library 11am to 12pm, Wednesfield Library, 1pm to 2pm and Ashmore Park Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
     
  • Monday 7 August, Animal story computer workshop (8 to 12 years), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 4pm
     
  • Tuesday 8 August, Wolves Tales story and craft session (4 plus), Finchfield Library, 10.30am to 11.30am
     
  • Tuesday 8 August, Farmyard Fun story and craft session (5 plus), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 3.30pm
     
  • Wednesday 9 August, Summer Six story and craft session (under 10s), Bilston Library, 11am to 12pm
     
  • Monday 14 August, Dogs Trust Story Session (4 plus), Tettenhall Library, 10.30am to 11.30am, Pendeford Library, 12.15pm to 1.15pm and Whitmore Reans Library, 2pm to 3pm
     
  • Monday 14 August, Animal story computer workshop (8 to 12 years), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 4pm
     
  • Tuesday 15 August, Baby Booktime Summer Special (under 3s), Central Children's Library, 10.30am to 11.30am
     
  • Tuesday 15 August, Jungle Jive story and craft session (under 7s), 2.30pm to 3pm
     
  • Wednesday 16 August, Summer Six story and craft session (under 10s), Bilston Library, 11am to 12pm
     
  • Wednesday 16 August, Pet's Parade story and craft session (5 plus), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 3.30pm
     
  • Monday 21 August, Animal story computer workshop (8 to 12 years), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 4pm
     
  • Tuesday 22 August, Wolves Tales story and craft session (4 plus), Blakenhall Library at Bob Jones Community Hub, 11am to 12pm
     
  • Tuesday 22 August, Wolves Tales story and craft session (4 plus), Long Knowle Library, 2pm to 3pm
     
  • Tuesday 22 August, Animal Aliens story and craft session (under 7s), Warstones Library, 2.30pm to 3pm
     
  • Wednesday 23 August, Summer Six story and craft session (under 10s), Bilston Library, 11am to 12pm
     
  • Thursday 24 August, Birds of Paradise story and craft session (5  plus), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 3.30pm
     
  • Wednesday 30 August, Summer Six story and craft session (under 10s), Bilston Library, 11am to 12pm
     
  • Wednesday 30 August, Animals of the Night story and craft session (5 plus), Central Children's Library, 2pm to 3.30pm

Please note, all the events are free but places are limited and so places should be reserved in advance for many of them. For more information, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=1703;Title=Libraries; or call 01902 552025.

  • released: Wednesday 19 July, 2017