South Gloucestershire Council’s Library Service is inviting children aged 4 and older to visit their local library and take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026.
This year’s challenge is called ‘Read to the Beat!’ and encourages children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music can spark imagination and creativity.
The free challenge is now underway and runs until 12 September 2026, helping children become more independent readers and build their reading confidence over the school holidays.
It also supports positive mental wellbeing and can help boost self-esteem, while encouraging families to visit their local library.
Children aged four and above can sign up at their local library during staffed opening hours and collect a free activity bag to get started. They then read books of their choice throughout the summer, taking part in fun activities and collecting stickers and rewards along the way.
Children can read in whatever way works best for them. This could include storybooks, fact books, books about their favourite hobbies and interests, comics and graphic novels, or listening to audiobooks.
Participants receive a medal and certificate when they complete it, along with a voucher for a free swim at their local Active Lifestyle Centre, donated by Circadian Trust. The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries
Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, councillor Adrian Rush joined a family and staff at Emersons Green Library to mark the launch of the Challenge. Councillor Rush said: “It is fantastic to officially launch the Summer Reading Challenge here at Emersons Green Library and to meet some of those taking part this year. It is a great way to keep children reading over the summer holidays, encouraging them to become independent and confident readers, while developing their imaginations along the way. I’m sure all of the children taking part will have fun discovering some fantastic stories and developing a love of reading that can last a lifetime.
“Our libraries play an important role in bringing communities together and will be running lots of free activities this summer. I hope families across South Gloucestershire will make the most of everything they have to offer throughout the school, summer holidays.”
Dates and times of all activities, and more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, can be found on our website: www.southglos.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge
For the latest updates, follow South Gloucestershire Libraries on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries
To find your local library, visit:
https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries/find-a-library/
