The annual Summer Reading Challenge starts across Nottinghamshire on Saturday.

The Summer Reading Challenge is organised nationally by The Reading Agency and will be managed by Nottinghamshire County Council in its libraries this summer.

Children, aged 4 – 11, are challenged to read six books over the summer holidays and are rewarded with stickers and other incentives for every book they read. It is a great way to boost children’s literacy skills.

A number of libraries in Nottinghamshire will hold launch events this weekend, including a visit from Legend of the Frog author Guy Bass to West Bridgford Library in Bridgford Road, on Saturday, July 12 from 2pm to 3pm.

Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Last year, more children than ever before took part in the challenge across Nottinghamshire, with over 10,000 children getting involved and we are hoping to build on that success this time around.

“Joining the Summer Reading Challenge is free and a great way to help children discover the pleasure of reading. Research has also shown that children who take part go back to school the following term with improved reading skills and a boost to their confidence so it is a great initiative and one the county council is proud to support here in Nottinghamshire.”

Each year, the Reading Agency announces a central theme for the campaign and this year it is called Mythical Maze. Children will receive their own pull out poster of an amazing labyrinth and, as they progress through the challenge, will be introduced to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology.

The county council will also have the help of 100 volunteers who are helping to support the challenge this year in county libraries.

Here are some of the other events taking place this weekend at other libraries in Nottinghamshire:

• Selston: 12 July, 9:30am – 12:30pm Free event
Children come and join in the fun. Sign up at the launch of our summer Reading Challenge. Drop in any time to join in with our Heroes and Legend Quest, and put your own leaf on our tree to track your reading challenge progress. Tel: 01773 810093, email: [email protected], Selston Library, Chapel Road, Selston

• Ladybrook, Mansfield: 12 July, 10:30am – 12pm Free event
Make a feather to put on our phoenix on the wall. Tel: 01623 622835, email: [email protected], Ladybrook Library, Ladybrook Lane, Mansfield

• Mansfield Woodhouse: 12 July, 11am – 12pm Free event Come and help decorate the library wall and sign up for the summer reading challenge. Tel: 01623 621781, email: [email protected], Mansfield Woodhouse Library, Church Street, Mansfield Woodhouse

• Warsop: 12 July, 10:30am – 11:30am Free event Come and help decorate the library wall. Tel: 01623 842322, email: [email protected], Warsop Library, High Street, Warsop

• Sutton-in-Ashfield: 12 July, 11am, Free event. The Summer Reading Challenge is here again and to celebrate, Sutton-in-Ashfield Library is holding a launch event. Staff from the Lost City Adventure Golf will be visiting to help out with face painting and there’ll even be a surprise guest so come along and join in the fun. Tel: 01623 556296, email: [email protected], Sutton-in-Ashfield Library, Idlewells Shopping Centre, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

• Huthwaite: 12 July, 10am – 11.30am Free event. Sign up for this year’s challenge, The Mythical Maze and get started with your first books. Venue details: Sutton Road, Huthwaite, Sutton in Ashfield

• Newark: 12 July, 11am Free event. Come along and sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge “Mythical Maze”. Tel: 01636 703966, or email: [email protected]. Newark Library, Beaumond Gardens, Baldertongate, Newark

More information can be found at: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge or www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson