Read to the Beat is coming to a library near you this summer!
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will inspire children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
This year's Challenge is brought to life with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator Harry Woodgate.
The challenge runs from Saturday 18 July to Saturday 5 September in all Essex libraries and mobile libraries. Check at your local library if they're having a special early joiners' day on Saturday 4 July.
There are six stickers for children to collect over the summer. They earn them by telling us about the books they have read, or doing related activities. (A list of suggested activities is on the sticker folder given to each child taking part.) After collecting six stickers, they earn their certificate and medal. A ribbon to show off their medal can be bought from the library (while stocks last) for 50p each.
Children can read any library book of their choice; fiction, non-fiction, picture books or books they share with parents and carers – they all count. Children under four are not forgotten, with a special version of Read to the Beat just for them.
The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with libraries and powered by Universal Music Group UK. It is open to all children, free of charge.
Alongside the challenge itself, many libraries are running special themed events inspired by Read to the Beat, bringing the theme to life!
Perfect for children who love music, crafting and trying something new!
Our variety of creative and interactive sessions includes:
Some of our tie-in events include:
Summer Crafts: Great Tarpots Library, Saturdays 1 August, 15 August, 29 August 10am
Books, Beats and Lemon Treats: North Weald Library, Saturday 1 August 12 noon
Musical Instrument Discovery: Basildon Library, Monday 3 August 10am
Interactive Storytime: Rayleigh Library, Monday 3 August 11am (bookable event)
Musical Instrument Discovery: Colchester Library, Tuesday 4 August 10am
Musical Instrument Discovery: Prettygate Library, Tuesday 4 August 1.30pm
Rock School Drum Workshop: Loughton Library, Tuesday 4 August 1pm (bookable event)
The Travelling Librarian Feels the Beat: Brightlingsea Library, Tuesday 4 August 2.30pm
Interactive Storytime: Rayleigh Library, Wednesday 5 August 11am
Make a Musical Instrument: Colchester Library, Wednesdays 5 August, 12 August, 19 August, 26 August 2pm
Rock School Drum Workshop: Great Parndon Library, Wednesday 5 August 2.30pm (bookable event)
Make Your Own Wooden Instrument: Harlow Library, Wednesday 5 August 2.30pm (bookable event)
The Travelling Librarian Feels the Beat: Frinton Library, Thursday 6 August 10.30am
Rock School Drum Workshop: Harlow Library, Thursday 6 August 2.30pm (bookable event)
Musical Instrument Discovery: Chipping Ongar Library, Friday 7 August 11am
The Jungle Jam: Manningtree Library, Saturday 8 August 9.30am
Summer Crafts: Hadleigh Library, Saturdays 8 August, 15 August, 22 August, 29 August, 5 September 10am
Children’s Crafts: Buckhurst Hill Library, Tuesdays 11 August, 18 August, 25 August, 1 September 10am
The Jungle Jam: Frinton Library, Thursday 13 August 11.30am
Musical Instrument Discovery: Harlow Library, Thursday 13 August 2.30pm
Musical Instrument Discovery: Witham Library, Friday 14 August 12 noon
Handbells & Stories: Brentwood Library, Saturday 15 August 2.30pm
Rhymes and Sounds: Rayleigh Library, Friday 21 August 11am (bookable event)
Author event: Sarah Hagger-Holt: Saffron Walden Library, Monday 24 August 10.30am (bookable event)
Craft Event: Halstead Library, Monday 24 August 11am
Handbells & Stories: Shenfield Library, Wednesday 26 August 2.30pm
The Jungle Jam: Walton Library, Saturday 29 August 9.30am
Summer Reading Challenge participants can earn another sticker by attending an event.
Keep up to date with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge by following Essex Library Services on Facebook and Instagram, @EssexLibraries.