IN the 1st 2 weeks of this years’ Summer Reading Challenge 2,262 children have visited Sefton Libraries to sign up and take part.

This year’s Challenge theme is “Story Garden” with a focus on nature and outdoor adventures, exploring the magical connection that runs between storytelling and nature. The challenge celebrates children’s stories and imagination.

And there's still time to sing up at your local library. 

You can use this link to find out more about Sefton's Libraries and how to find your nearest 1.
    
Organised by The Reading Agency, the Summer Reading Challenge is held every year in public libraries across the UK. 

Research shows that 95% of the young people who take part in the national Summer Reading Challenge say they read for pleasure at least once a week after taking part. And 70% say they feel more confident in their reading.

Cllr Liz Dowd, Sefton Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Libraries said:- “As someone who loves reading myself, I’m delighted we’ve had so many young people signing up to the Summer Reading Challenge in Sefton. And this year’s theme is perfect as its links to our natural environment. Libraries have planned lots of activities linked to the theme - minibeast visits, pebble painting, flower making  and many more.”

You can find out about events taking place at Sefton's libraries this summer, here. 

In the build up to the Challenge, Sefton Library Service staff have been visiting schools to tell young people about the scheme. Schools that couldn’t schedule a visit were sent a video that to play at assembly instead.

Cllr Dowd continued:- “Each year Sefton is in the top 3 areas in the North West in terms of numbers of young people taking part in the challenge and much of that is down to hard work of our Libraries team to promote it. This year alone they have carried out almost 60 school visits to promote the Challenge.”

In August, FACT and At The Library have organised a family-friendly edition of Cinema in the City with a pop-up cinema at Bootle Library and Christ Church Bootle.

Films inspired by the magic of nature, including ‘FernGully:- The Last Rainforest’ and ‘Where the Wild Things Are" will be screened from:- Monday, 18 August to Wednesday, 20 August 2025. 

Details are available at this website.