Oxford,
17
June
2020
|
15:37
Europe/London

Oxfordshire Libraries announce online Summer Reading Challenge 2020

Children in Oxfordshire can expect the giggles this summer with the Silly Squad, Summer Reading Challenge 2020 being run with the library service.

Oxfordshire Libraries and The Reading Agency are inviting children aged 4 to 11 to get reading and get silly this summer. Although the doors to Oxfordshire’s libraries are closed, our libraries remain open and this year’s challenge is going online. Join in to celebrate funny books, happiness and laughter.

The Silly Squad are a team of adventurous animal friends created by the award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson. They love reading, especially books that make them laugh but they must watch out for the mysterious baddie waiting to spoil their antics.

Parents and carers join their children to the Silly Squad, Summer Reading Challenge online at sillysquad.org.uk and it’s all free!

The children set their own reading challenge over the summer. They can read any books they like. If they are already a member of Oxfordshire Libraries they can download e-books and e-audio for free. If not, join the library online www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries.

Alternatively, children can read books they already have at home. It can be comics, jokes books, stories and information books. For ideas of books to read, Oxfordshire Libraries have their own Silly Squad e-book and e-audio collections, visit: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ebooks

As they track their reading, children collect virtual badges that will unlock further exciting downloadable activities and videos from the Silly Squad website.

To support Silly Squad, Summer Reading Challenge 2020, a fun programme of virtual activities and mayhem will be coming soon on the Oxfordshire Libraries Facebook and Twitter pages.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services, said:

“Our country libraries may be closed for the time being, but we are still committed to serving our communities through an array of great online services and programmes available to all. The Summer Reading Challenge is one of these fantastic initiatives to enthuse children in the joy of reading that will help maintain their love of books and reading through the summer and into the new school year in September.”

Marian Morgan-Bindon, Libraries and Heritage Service Manager said:

“What I love about the Summer Reading Challenge is that children and all library customers can still enjoy the celebration of reading and the “silly squad” by taking advantage of the huge volume of e-books, magazines and other online resources Oxfordshire’s libraries offer. This summer, the Reading Challenge is all about funny books, happiness and laughter; let the fun begin with great reads from your library.”

The challenge will run throughout the summer into mid-September.

For more information go to: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/SummerReadingChallenge