Libraries ready for Summer Reading Challenge
Libraries across Carmarthenshire are welcoming children to this year’s circus-themed Summer Reading Challenge.
Children aged between four and 11 are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the summer holidays.
Every child who completes the challenge will get a certificate or medal, plus there are small prizes and rewards along the way.
The 2011 Summer Reading Challenge is called Circus Stars and follows six children who have signed up for a contemporary circus skills academy.
As they read books, mirrored by children everywhere who are doing the challenge via their local libraries, they gain new circus skills through three important stages: Practice, Rehearsal and Showtime.
An interactive Circus Stars website www.circus-stars.org.uk also links children with top authors and illustrators, has games to play and gives them space to talk about their favourite books.
Carmarthenshire’s education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “Circus Stars promotes the local library as a place of wonder for children, where library staff can offer invaluable advice and guidance. The Summer Reading Challenge is just one of many exciting schemes public libraries are developing to help children develop a love of reading, gain confidence and get new skills.”
Special events are being put on to promote the scheme. At Llangennech and St Clears libraries, magician and circus performer Jugglestruck put on puppet, juggling and magic shows, and a balloon modelling workshop.
Welsh Government Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis said: "Reading is not only an essential life skill, but also a great source of enjoyment for children. Instilling a passion for reading early on is crucial to help them develop their skills and our libraries can play a central role in supporting this.
"Libraries have diversified considerably over the last decade but they are still true to their reading roots and offer resources in a range of formats, from traditional books to online tools. This project is a fantastic way to get our children reading and I encourage everyone to pop along to their local library this summer to take advantage of what’s on offer."
Large print materials are available for visually impaired children, through the support of the RNIB National Library Service, and bilingual books are available through funding support through the Welsh Books Council.
Further information is avaialble from Carmarthenshire libraries or visit www.library.wales.org
Children aged between four and 11 are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the summer holidays.
Every child who completes the challenge will get a certificate or medal, plus there are small prizes and rewards along the way.
The 2011 Summer Reading Challenge is called Circus Stars and follows six children who have signed up for a contemporary circus skills academy.
As they read books, mirrored by children everywhere who are doing the challenge via their local libraries, they gain new circus skills through three important stages: Practice, Rehearsal and Showtime.
An interactive Circus Stars website www.circus-stars.org.uk also links children with top authors and illustrators, has games to play and gives them space to talk about their favourite books.
Carmarthenshire’s education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “Circus Stars promotes the local library as a place of wonder for children, where library staff can offer invaluable advice and guidance. The Summer Reading Challenge is just one of many exciting schemes public libraries are developing to help children develop a love of reading, gain confidence and get new skills.”
Special events are being put on to promote the scheme. At Llangennech and St Clears libraries, magician and circus performer Jugglestruck put on puppet, juggling and magic shows, and a balloon modelling workshop.
Welsh Government Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis said: "Reading is not only an essential life skill, but also a great source of enjoyment for children. Instilling a passion for reading early on is crucial to help them develop their skills and our libraries can play a central role in supporting this.
"Libraries have diversified considerably over the last decade but they are still true to their reading roots and offer resources in a range of formats, from traditional books to online tools. This project is a fantastic way to get our children reading and I encourage everyone to pop along to their local library this summer to take advantage of what’s on offer."
Large print materials are available for visually impaired children, through the support of the RNIB National Library Service, and bilingual books are available through funding support through the Welsh Books Council.
Further information is avaialble from Carmarthenshire libraries or visit www.library.wales.org
Comments