The BIG Summer Read is back!

Kids – The BIG Summer Read is back, and we want YOU to join in the fun!

Running throughout the summer holidays, the BIG Summer Read encourages young people up to 18 years to read for leisure and take part in fun activities for a chance to win some great prizes, including book, EB Games and Smiggle vouchers.

The challenge also aims to raise awareness of the benefits of maintaining literacy skills over the summer.

“Summer is the perfect time to unwind with a good book,” says Tammy Higgs, Goldfields Libraries’ Programs and Events Coordinator. “While it’s important for kids to take a break from school and spend some much-needed social time with friends and family, research shows that many children read less over the summer, losing valuable literacy skills they’ve worked hard to build throughout the year”.

This is where the BIG Summer Read comes in! Participation is free, and you can choose to participate online via the Beanstack app or website, or on paper.

“To go into the draw to win one of our fabulous prizes, all you need to do is log at least ten books. It doesn’t matter how long they are, and listening to audiobooks, reading picture books or graphic novels count too! Even books read by adults count,” says Ms Higgs.

Beanstack participants can enjoy some of the linked activities, including reading to a pet or drawing your favourite book character, for even more of a challenge, while those participating on paper can enter the creative colouring competition to win some awesome art supplies. And younger children don’t miss out, with a fun ‘find the mascot’ activity available at all libraries.

Ready for a summer of fun? Learn more about the BIG Summer Read or sign up by visiting your local library or heading to www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/bigsummerread.