Grow your imagination with the Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge!
You can take part in the Summer Reading Challenge at all Leicestershire Libraries between 5 July and 6 September 2025.
This year children will tap into a world of imagination through reading to explore the magical connection between storytelling and nature.
You can take part in the summer reading challenge at all Leicestershire Libraries between 5 July and 6 September 2025. Join, read books, get rewards and have fun!
Created by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries, this year’s challenge encourages children to explore the connection between storytelling and nature.
Through reading, children will uncover magical creatures, vibrant plants, and enchanting landscapes brought to life by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola. Libraries will be transformed into immersive gardens of adventure where children’s imaginations can flourish, supported by free activities and resources.
To add to the fun, we have partnered with Bosworth Battlefield The 1620s House and Garden and every child that joins the Summer Reading Challenge also gets free entry to Bosworth Battlefield and The 1620s House and Garden.
We also have activities for you to enjoy during the summer holidays. Ask at your local library, look at our summer events page or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
About the Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and runs in libraries all over the country. The challenge, aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years, is to read six or more library books or visit reading events over the summer.
Children who take part:
- are more enthusiastic about reading
- maintain their reading level over the holidays
- return to schools keen and ready to learn
- boost their confidence and self-esteem
To find out more visit Summer Reading Challenge: Story Garden
How the Summer Reading Challenge works
- Children sign up at their local library to start their Challenge.
- Throughout the summer, children earn stickers by borrowing books and attending special events in our libraries.
- Library staff and volunteers are on hand to chat to children about books they have read.
- There are rewards and incentives along the way to encourage you to read.
- To complete the challenge, earn 6 stickers by reading library books or attending events. Once 6 stickers have been collected, receives a medal, certificate and special seeded bookmark!
It’s all free, fun and a great way to keep children reading over the summer holidays.
Children can also take part online for digital reward by signing up for a website profile website profile at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk (children will be asked to provide a parent/carer email address to approve signup.
What to read on the Summer Reading Challenge
Children can read any books they like on the Summer Reading Challenge; stories, fact books, poetry, jokes, graphic novels. You can browse our library catalogue to get some ideas for what you want to read.
There are lots of eBooks and eAudiobooks to help complete the online challenge.