CHILDREN across Harlow are being encouraged to get involved in this year’s exciting Summer Reading Challenge.

This year Essex Libraries and The Reading Agency have teamed up with the Science Museum Group for a very special science and innovation themed challenge. The aim is to inspire children to take an interest in science and how it fits in with everyday life.

During the challenge, children are tasked with helping the Gadgeteers. The characters – brought to life by children’s writer and illustrator Julian Beresford – use their curiosity and wonder to understand the science behind a whole range of interests, from fashion and technology to cooking and music. 

The challenge for children is to read six library books of their choice over the summer. Fiction, non-fiction, picture books or books they share with parents and carers – they all count.

After reading their six books, children earn their Gadgeteers certificate and medal.

There’s even a special version of Gadgeteers for children under three years old.

The challenge runs from Saturday 16 July to Saturday 3 September in all Essex libraries and mobile libraries.

It will encourage youngsters to expand their reading, explore new authors and discover facts, characters and stories across the best contemporary children’s writing.

Above all, it’s about making reading fun for children and helping them to improve their reading skills – key aims of the Essex Year of Reading campaign.

Any child can take part in the free event, all that is needed is a library card to take the books out.

If the child is not already a library member, joining is quick and easy. Find out more about joining at: libraries.essex.gov.uk/facilities-and-charges/join-the-library/.

Cllr Louise McKinlay, Essex County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community, Equality, Partnerships and Performance, said: “Last year, over 17,000 children in Essex took part in the Summer Reading Challenge, helping them to improve their reading skills and confidence, as well as having a great time sharing books with friends and loved ones.

“We want to encourage even more children to take part in this marvellous summer activity in 2022. It is completely free of charge and all you need is your library card. If you have not taken part before, it is a great first opportunity to try out your new library card that was recently provided to all primary age children through their schools as part of the Essex Year of Reading campaign.”