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Gloucestershire Business News

Children invited to join the ‘Silly Squad’ with Gloucestershire Libraries

Gloucestershire Libraries are calling for children to keep reading over the summer holidays by joining the Silly Squad for the Summer Reading Challenge 2020.

In Gloucestershire, there will be a launch on Monday 13th July, which ties in with the introduction of collection services at some of the county's libraries . This will be followed by an online programme of activities and ideas throughout the summer holidays created by Gloucestershire Libraries to keep children busy and reading until they go back to school in September.

Children can take part in the challenge by signing up on the Reading Agency's website. Children can set their own target this year, although the recommendation remains to read six books during the summer holidays. The challenge started online on 5th June and runs until 5th September.

'Silly Squad' is a celebration of funny books, happiness and laughter, featuring a team of madcap animals who love to make people laugh. But a mysterious baddy is hoping to spoil their fun!

There will be a pack to collect in libraries for families who take up one of the collection services (reserve and collect or off the shelf). These packs will contain activity sheets to support the online summer reading challenge.

Despite the different approach the libraries have had to take this year, organisers hope to engage with as many children as they can, support them with their reading over the summer and enable them to have fun along the way.

Jane Everiss, head of libraries and registration services at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We know from previous years that families and children love taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge. We hope that children will enjoy the online activities presented by this year's challenge.

"In addition to this, in Gloucestershire we are reaching out to vulnerable children, by offering a pack of materials to children in care and some families who use food banks regularly. The aim of this is to include those children who do not have digital access at home or who have limited access."

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for libraries at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "The Summer Reading Challenge is a great way to encourage young people to keep up with their reading skills over the next few months and has always been a popular event in Gloucestershire. The challenge makes reading fun and can improve children's reading range, motivation and confidence. By providing summer reading packs, we also hope to reach those families who may struggle to access the online activities on offer."

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