Libraries across Bristol are getting ready to introduce children to new worlds of facts and fiction through ‘Animal Agents’, the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge™.

A free national event, the Summer Reading Challenge is held every year by The Reading Agency. It aims to encourage children aged 4 – 11 to read (or be read to) throughout the Summer holidays; often a time when children’s reading can ‘dip’.

Animal Agents will introduce children to a variety of clever creatures, specially trained to use their skills and natural instincts to unravel mysteries.

Animal Agents is illustrated by Tony Ross, illustrator of the hugely popular Horrid Henry series. He is published all over the world; his awards and nominations include the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Kate Greenaway Medal, and the Smarties Prize.

The Summer Reading Challenge is simple. Each year children are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice – fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books just as long as they are borrowed from the library – during the holidays.

There are collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate for every child who completes the Challenge.

Children can sign up at their local library from the start of the school Summer holidays. It is completely free to do so and all materials are free also.

The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school children and is designed for all reading abilities.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Head to your local library during the summer holidays and enrol. It’s completely free and any child can take part. Children can chat, get reading recommendations and enter competitions all year round on our Summer Reading Challenge website.

Teachers, parents and children can also gain Animal Agents-related reading inspiration from the Summer Reading Challenge 2017 book collection. It comprises 70 must-have reads for children aged 4-11, with something to suit every young reader.

Many of the books in the collection are new titles which will be published this summer, and will be displayed in libraries during the Challenge. There are two lists – one for younger children and one for older children – representing the best in contemporary children’s fiction, fact and puzzle books, poetry, picture books and graphic novels.

There are also large print Summer Reading Challenge materials available for visually impaired children, or visually impaired parents/carers, thanks to the support of the RNIB National Library Service.

My kids always do the Summer Reading Challenge, it’s a great way to encourage their reading, plus a fun and free activity to do throughout the holidays!