SIMON HART MP
MEMBER FOR CARMARTHEN WEST AND SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE
PRESS RELEASE
25th June 2018
With pic
Simon Hart MP supports campaign for every child to join local library and share a love of reading
Local MP Simon Hart is encouraging all primary school children to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
The Challenge has been set up by The Reading Agency and public libraries and aims to build confidence and independent reading, while helping to prevent the dip in children’s reading levels during the long summer break from school.
Simon Hart MP said: “I hope parents, grandparents and carers in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire will take their children to the library over the summer to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.
“It’s free and it makes reading fun. Last year 1,523 children in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire took part. I hope we can increase that number this year and remind local libraries what a valuable asset they are to us and our community.”
Research shows that reading for pleasure is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background and that children who use libraries are twice as likely to be above average readers.
This year's Summer Reading Challenge is Mischief Makers; celebrating the 80th anniversary of the much-loved comic, Beano.
To take part in the Mischief Makers Summer Reading Challenge, all children need to do is to head to their local library where they will be given a colourful collector’s map of Beanotown to keep a record of their reading journey. As children read at least six library books over the summer, they will collect stickers which will help them crack the clues and help Dennis, Gnasher and friends find the buried treasure!
Sue Wilkinson, CEO of The Reading Agency added: “We know from our research how much fun families and children have when taking part in the Challenge. Mischief Makers offers intergenerational appeal and we hope this family friendly, accessible theme will inspire more children than ever to read over the holidays and make use of their local library throughout the summer and beyond."
ENDS