Summer Reading Challenge 2010

This summer, take a giant leap into the final frontier - at your local library. Join Space Hop, and we'll help get your kids hooked on books! Every year, thousands of families all over the country are involved in the UK's biggest reading event for children in libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge. For 2010, the Challenge is called Space Hop.

The aim of the challenge is to get children to read six books from their library during the summer holidays.

Everyone who signs up for the Summer Reading Challenge 2010 can keep track of the books they read on a special fold-out poster. It's great fun for kids and what's more, it doesn't cost a penny to join.

Why Space Hop?
Space Hop taps into children's fascination with space travel and crazy alien worlds. It's an imaginative and fun way to encourage children to read. And they might find out something about the planets in their universe at the same time!

It links into the 2010 BBC Year of Science, and CBBC's Space Hoppers, which saw two intrepid travellers investigate worlds beyond our planet and find out how to holiday in outer space.

The Summer Reading Challenge is an interactive experience that children love to take part in over the holidays. It gets them into libraries and gives them the confidence they need to choose their own books and take their reading to the next stage. For many children, the Summer Reading Challenge is just the incentive they need to turn them into readers for life.

How do I sign my child up?
Just head to your local library. Staff will enrol your children - it's completely free of charge - and every child will receive a foldout poster and membership card.

What books can my children read?
The Summer Reading Challenge is designed for children of all ages and reading abilities. They can read any books they like - fact books, stories, joke books, picture books - it's up to them. Audio books count too! As long as you're borrowing them from the library, they all count.

Do the children who finish the challenge receive anything?
Yes, everybody gets a certificate, and there may be other rewards from your library, too. Just ask them when you join up.

Super Size materials
Working with the RNIB, the Reading Challenge has created super size posters and stickers (still scratch and sniff) with extra large print, available for children who are visually impaired or children who have visually impaired parents/carers. There are accompanying information sheets about the Challenge in Braille and a Space Hop certificate in Braille. Ask at your library for these resources.
The RNIB also loans books in Braille, giant print (24 point type) and audio, for children and young people aged 5 upwards. Books are delivered by post free of charge and children can borrow six books at a time. A themed book list for the Summer Reading Challenge will also be available from RNIB to help blind and partially sighted children complete the Space Hop Challenge. It is quick and easy to join the library - email childrenslibrarian@rnib.org.uk or call direct on 0161 355 2061

Look out for the Moon Zoom weekly activity on our website.

Go to www.leics.gov.uk/spacehop for more details and activities.