Local MP, Michelle Scrogham, is backing The Reading Agency’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging primary school children across Barrow and Furness to get involved in this year’s theme: Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors.
Launching this week, the Summer Reading Challenge invites children aged 4–11 to visit their local library, discover new books, and explore the magical connection between storytelling and the natural world.
This year’s Challenge features beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Dapo Adeola and invites young readers into an enchanting garden full of stories, creatures, and outdoor adventures. With free activity packs, nature-inspired events, and a specially selected book collection available at libraries, the Challenge offers children a fun way to stay curious, active, and engaged with reading over the summer break.
Michelle Scrogham said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is an amazing scheme which gets children into their local library where they can discover the magical world of books and reading.
“The scheme is completely free to join with children getting the chance to set their own reading goals and read anything they like. Each time they finish a book they can visit the library and collect special stickers and rewards!”
Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency said: “The Summer Reading Challenge continues to be a bright light in what has recently been an uncertain picture of children’s reading. Story Garden will create magical spaces where children can explore and be curious, combining the joy of reading with the proven wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature. Libraries will be hosting inspiring events and activities where nature and wildlife will take children on adventures and plants inspire their next story. We’re particularly excited to be working with Dapo Adeola, whose wonderful illustrations will help bring these adventures to life.”
Now in its 26th year, the Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries and is completely free to join. It aims to inspire a passion for reading outside the classroom many children experience during the holidays. In 2024, the Challenge reached nearly 600,000 children and helped spark over 100,000 new library memberships.
To find out more about how to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge or to find your local participating library, visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.
