Join the Challenge!

 

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.

 

Events

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 Reading Challenge Crafts: Buckhurst Hill Library, Tuesdays from 21 July until 1 September 10am

Jungle Jam: Silver End Library, Tuesday 21 July 3pm

Jungle Jam: Broomfield Library, Wednesday 22 July 11.30am

Jungle Jam: Loughton Library, Wednesday 22 July, Tuesday 28 July, Thursday 13 August 2pm

Guess That Sound: Rayleigh Library, Thursday 23 July 2pm (bookable event)

Jungle Jam: Prettygate Library, Friday 24 July 9.30am

Read to the Beat Workshop: Chigwell Library, Friday 24 July 2pm, Friday 7 August 2pm and Wednesday 26 August 2pm. For children ages five to 11

Musical Instrument Discovery: Chelmsford Library, Saturday 25 July 10.30am (bookable event)

Musical Instrument Discovery: Galleywood Library, Saturday 25 July 2pm

London Vegetable Orchestra workshop: Harwich Library, Saturday 25 July 9.30am (bookable event)

London Vegetable Orchestra workshop: Basildon Library, Saturday 25 July 2.15pm (bookable event)

Read to the Beat Summer Crafts: Hadleigh Library, Saturdays from 25 July, 10am

Jungle Jam: Witham Library, Monday 27 July 1.30pm

Jungle Jam: Chelmsford Library, Tuesday 28 July and Saturday 1 August 11am

Jungle Jam: Harwich Library, Tuesday 28 July 11.30am

Jungle Jam: Writtle Library, Wednesday 29 July, Wednesday 19 August 11.30am

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Harlow Library, Wednesday 29 July 2.30pm (bookable event)

Summer Reading Challenge Crafts: Waltham Abbey Library, Wednesday 29 July 10am, Wednesday 12 August 10am, Wednesday 26 August 10am

Read to the Beat Story and Sound Workshop: Hadleigh Library, Thursday 30 July 10.30am

Jungle Jam: Wivenhoe Library, Thursday 30 July 11.30am

The Travelling Librarian Feels the Beat: Harwich Library, Friday 31 July 10.30am

Jungle Jam: North Melbourne Library, Friday 31 July, Friday 21 August 2pm

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)

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)

Rock School Drum Workshop: Harlow Library, Thursday 6 August 2.30pm (bookable event)

Musical Instrument Discovery: Chipping Ongar Library, Friday 7 August 11am

Musical Instrument Discovery: Harlow Library, Thursday 13 August 2.30pm

Musical Instrument Discovery: Witham Library, Friday 14 August 12 noon

Rhymes and Sounds: Rayleigh Library, Friday 21 August 11am (bookable event)

 

 

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.