Children aged 4 to 11 years are invited to explore connections between storytelling and nature in this year’s summer holiday reading challenge.
‘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 aims to inspire curiosity and a connection to the natural world. It also hopes to build children’s reading confidence and promote wellbeing. To take part, simply visit your local library or sign-up online.
The challenge runs from 5 July to 6 September and there is no charge to take part. Your child can set their own reading goal – although we recommend six books to be read throughout the summer. Children can choose whatever takes their fancy – from fiction to facts, poetry, joke and picture books. Ebooks and eAudiobooks also count towards completing the challenge.
Along the way, whenever they’ve finished a book, your child will receive a special sticker and other rewards. Once they’ve completed their personal challenge, they will get a certificate and medal.
Jonathan Chedgzoy, Libraries & Archives Manager at Herefordshire Council, says:
We know that children’s reading can dip during the summer holidays without regular access to books and encouragement to read. The summer challenge is a fun way for children to stay motivated and continue to discover the joys of reading.
Herefordshire Libraries are offering a range of free events over the summer. For details and booking, please see their Eventbrite page.
Don’t forget it’s free to join your local library and anyone at any age can be a member of Herefordshire Libraries.
Each year the national Summer Reading Challenge and Winter Mini Challenge 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.