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The Summer Reading Challenge, presented by The Reading Agency, is delivered in partnership with public libraries and funded by Arts Council England. The Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays, providing lots of fun as well as preventing the summer reading ‘dip’.

Each year the Challenge motivates over 700,000 children to keep reading to build their skills and con?dence.

This year, the Summer Reading Challenge’s Silly Squad will celebrate funny books, happiness and laughter. Children taking part in the Challenge will join the Silly Squad, an adventurous team of animals who love to have a laugh and get stuck into all sorts of funny books!

The 2020 Challenge features bespoke artwork from award-winning children’s author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson (Amelia Fang; Evil Emperor PenguinI Don’t Want Curly Hair).

With the disruption caused by Covid-19 and the impact of social distancing on schools and public libraries, the 2020 Challenge will launch in a new digital format designed to keep children engaged and interested in reading. The Challenge will run to mid-September.

The Summer Reading Challenge website is free to access and features games, quizzes and downloadable activities that incentivise and encourage children to take part in reading related activities. Although public library buildings are closed, libraries will continue to deliver the Challenge through virtual services and e-lending platforms.

Visit your local library website to find out how you can access eBooks, audiobooks, comics and magazines for free that you can use to complete the Challenge at home.

For further information please visit The Summer Reading Challenge website.