MP celebrates UK-wide children's reading programme

John Battle MP (Lab, Leeds West) this week celebrated the Summer Reading Challenge, which aims to keep 650,000 young people across the UK activeand reading throughout the summer holidays. He attended a House of Commons reception on Wednesday 16 July held by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries, Literacy and Information Management.

The Summer Reading Challenge to children is simple – read six books through your local library this summer. Children are given a special pack and a set of incentives to collect as they read, with a certificate or medal for those that successfully complete the Challenge, which has a different theme each year. This year’s Challenge has a sporting theme and is called Team Read, with a programme of activities, incentives and an interactive website.

John Battle said: “I was pleased to attend the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge which is supported by libraries in Leeds West each summer. I am delighted by this year’s sporting theme, and hope it will encourage more children than ever to join in.

“The challenge should keep the children of Leeds West active and interested throughout the long summer holidays, and could help develop a positive attitude towards leisure time which they will take with them into adult life.”

The Summer Reading Challenge is 10 years old this year. It is created and run by The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to get people reading more, in partnership with the UK library network and supported by children’s book publishers.

©John Battle MP 22 July 2008

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