Reading Challenge
Libraries in Herefordshire run two reading challenges each year that are produced by the Reading Agency - the Summer Reading Challenge and the Winter Mini Challenge.
With a different theme each year, they are designed to encourage 4 to 11 year olds to carry on reading during the school holidays. Children can read books and collect rewards for their reading.
Get ready for the Summer Reading Challenge 2025!
Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors, is the enchanting theme for the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge.
Created by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries, this year’s Challenge encourages children to explore the connection between storytelling and nature.
Libraries will be transformed into immersive gardens of adventure where children’s imaginations can flourish, supported by free activities and resources.
Story Garden aims to inspire curiosity, creating and connection to the natural world - building reading confidence while promoting wellbeing.
Story Garden is available online from 21 June and in all Herefordshire Libraries from 5 July until 6 September. Children are invited to visit their local library, discover new books, and enjoy a summer filled with fun, imagination, and outdoor inspiration designed to keep them curious, active and engaged with reading over the summer holidays. There is also a mini challenge for younger visitors with stickers to collect!
Keep an eye on Herefordshire Libraries’ Eventbrite page for details of the exciting events coming to libraries this summer.
How the reading challenge works
- The challenges are free to take part and open to all reading abilities
- Children can read whatever they like - fiction, fact books, poetry, joke books, picture books, eBook and eAudiobooks all count towards completing the challenge
- Receive rewards for reading books as you go and a certificate for finishing
- Children visit their local Herefordshire library and join the challenge
- Children can enjoy books, ebooks and audiobooks of their choosing during the summer, adding special stickers and enjoying rewards along the way
- After completing the challenge by reading 6 books, children can collect a medal and certificate from their library.
When and how to take part
- Summer Reading Challenge - this challenge is to set your own reading goal (we recommend six books) and starts in July. Join online or at a library to take part
- Winter Mini Challenge - this challenge is to read at least three books and starts in December. Sign up on the website to take part
Children's reading can dip during the school holidays without regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure. This can be a challenge for teachers to address in the new term.
Each year these national challenges help to motivate over 700,000 children to keep reading from libraries to build their skills and confidence, with many more taking part online.
There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to their library, encourages children to read books freely and independently, and is endorsed by parents, teachers and the Department for Education.
More details on the reading challenges will appear on this page and our social media pages nearer the time.