Sutton's children take a giant hop into reading

11.28.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Jul 2010

Libraries across Sutton are gearing up for this year's Summer Reading Challenge.

The project aims to encourage children to take up reading by challenging them to read six books during the summer holidays.

This year's Reading Challenge has a space theme, entitled 'Space Hop'.

Children who take up the reading challenge will be given space-themed stickers, magnets and bookmarks for each book they read. If they complete the challenge they will receive a certificate and medal.

The challenge was launched at Sutton Library on 1 July with the help of pupils from Robin Hood Infants in Sutton and St Elphege's Infants in Wallington.

Cllr Graham Tope, Executive Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Libraries, said: "Reading is an excellent way to keep learning and stay entertained over summer.

"We also hope it will help lots of children develop a life long enjoyment of books. Over 2,000 children took part last year in Sutton and by all accounts it was a very enjoyable experience."

The Summer Reading Challenge is a national reading initiative. Now in its 12th year, it involves up to 750,000 children aged four to 11 years via the UK library network. It is created and run by The Reading Agency, an independent charity working to inspire more people to read more.

The space theme of this year's challenge is to coincide with the 350th anniversary of The Royal Society's scientific endeavours, and the 2010 BBC Year of Science.

Participants can also enter an alien colouring and drawing competition. The winner of which will recieve a year's free membership to GLL leisure centres in Sutton (for the over 8s) or a birthday party at a local leisure centre (for the under 8s.)

An interactive Space Hop (www.spacehop.org.uk) website has also just launched, linking children with top authors and illustrators, and giving them space to talk about their favourite books and to share reading ideas.