Summer Reading Challenge 2024 - Marvellous Makers making its way to you from your local library
Libraries10 July 2024
This summer, children aged between four and 11 can visit any North Northamptonshire library to join the 'Marvellous Makers' Summer Reading Challenge, firing up their imaginations through the power of reading.
In partnership with Create, a leading arts charity, and the Reading Agency, this year's Challenge celebrates kids' creativity and storytelling abilities.
Children will be encouraged to explore new books and stories while taking part in free activities, from arts and crafts to music, dance, and more: libraries will be offering a vibrant array of arts and crafts themed events for children over the Summer from tie-dye and bee bot workshops, magic shows, fizzing dinosaur eggs, pirate parties and much more.
The bespoke Challenge artwork is illustrated by celebrated artist Natelle Quek, bringing the 'Marvellous Makers' theme vibrantly to life. By reading books and collecting incentives at the local library young readers can foster their creative thinking skills over the summer break.
Children can sign up to the challenge anytime at their local library from now onwards.
While children are big fans of the long summer holidays it is well known that reading habits and ability can take a bit of a dip between now and September.Cllr Helen Howell, North Northamptonshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism
The Summer Reading Challenge is an excellent, fun way of ensuring that young readers can keep practising and maintain their love of reading whilst not in school.
Nurturing a love of reading is so important as not only is it a vital skill but can also be wonderfully enjoyable.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council
This is a long-established scheme which has always proven to be tremendously popular and I’d like to encourage as many as possible to sign up this year.
Summer Competition
Alongside the Summer Reading Challenge 2024 Marvellous Makers, delivered by libraries in partnership with the Reading Agency and Create, the Library Service is running a competition to celebrate what people love most about where they live.
The Library Service would like young artists to create an artwork showcasing what they love about where they live. This could be their local park, shops, school, cafe or even the library.
This competition is open to young artists aged between five and 12 years old. They can submit one artwork in the form of a painting, drawing, photograph or model. Artists should use recycled or reused materials to make their models.
The service cannot accept submissions that use high value materials such as Lego. Artists can collaborate and submit an artwork as a group, or one that they have created for a school project. Full information and application forms can be obtained from a local library.
Local artist and sculptor, Lisa Lovett of Earthly Arts Studio based at Chester House will be the guest judge.
Lisa will be touring library exhibitions to select a finalist from each to be part of an exhibition and grand final held at Discover, Rushden Lakes on September 28, 2024.
All artists who have had a piece selected will receive a prize and the overall winner will receive a £50 Hobbycraft voucher and their image will be on a limited run of library cards.