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

Children can enhance their Read to the Beat experience by attending one of our tie-in events. These include

 

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

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

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

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

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

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: Harlow Library, Thursday 13 August 2.30pm

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.