The Mythical Maze is easy to follow for Summer Reading Challenge

Rochdale Borough Libraries is again offering the national Summer Reading Challenge and this year’s theme is ‘Mythical Maze’.

Poet Ian Bland will launch the challenge at four libraries around the borough. Ian Bland is from Rochdale and has worked as a professional children’s poet and performer since October 2000. He has visited hundreds of schools, libraries and festivals in the UK and worldwide, entertaining children and families of all ages with his infectious enthusiasm for fun poetry and wordplay.

The Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays and promotes a love of reading, encouraging children to visit their local library whilst they’re away from school. It will be running in libraries across the borough from 19 July until 13 September. All children who complete the challenge will get a certificate and medal.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Neighbourhoods, said:

“This is a free, fun activity for children aged four to 11 which helps maintain their literacy level during the school summer holidays and promotes reading for pleasure. It is a very worthwhile and rewarding challenge which, I hope, plenty of children in the borough will get involved in.”

To take part in the challenge, sign up at your local library, read six books of your choice and collect stickers and other rewards along the way, all for free.

Each session with Ian Bland will last an hour and children and accompanying adults are guaranteed a wonderful time.  

Event dates, times and places include:

·  Saturday 19 July, 11am, Littleborough Library

·  Saturday 19 July, 2pm, Middleton Library

·  Friday 25 July, 11am, Rochdale Central Library

·  Friday 25 July, 2pm, Heywood Library

The performances, which are most suitable for primary aged children and their families, are free and there’s no need to book – just turn up!

For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge or any other events going on at the libraries in the borough, please see www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries or www.facebook.com/RochdaleBoroughLibraries