Annette Brooke MP helps launch the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge
July 21, 2010 10:32 AM
Annette Brooke at the launch of the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge, Space Hop
Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has helped to launch the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge at a special reception held in the House of Commons on 19 July, marking another year of the popular and successful initiative to keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays.
The Challenge, now in its twelfth year, was created and is run by The Reading Agency, an independent charity working to inspire people to read more. The Challenge is supported by children's publishers and every year it reaches 750,000 children aged four to twelve via the UK library network.
The challenge to children is simple. They are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with collectable incentives and rewards. Every child who completes the challenge receives a certificate or a medal. Also available are an interactive website (www.spacehop.org.uk), special family leaflets in a variety of languages, and various materials for visually impaired children, thanks to the support of the RNIB National Library Service. Librarians will also be available in all libraries to offer advice and to guide children on their mission. Children can sign up to the challenge at their local library and all materials are absolutely free.
This year the Challenge is called Space Hop and has a space theme to coincide with the 350th anniversary of The Royal Society's scientific endeavours and the 2010 BBC Year of Science. The initiative has the backing of several top children's authors and illustrators including Michael Rosen, Anthony Browne and Tom Percival, as well as Alan Yentob, creative director of the BBC.
At the reception, Annette Brooke said:
"I was very pleased to support the launch of the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge. It is a great way to keep children entertained over the holidays, but more importantly, we know that children who take part read more books and read more widely than those who don't, with potentially life-changing results. The Challenge introduces children to one of the best free resources for their minds that they have on their doorsteps - the local library - and focuses on the development of skills that are vital for their life chances and life skills - reading."
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