Get Silly with this summer’s Silly Squad
Although libraries across Hertfordshire may still be closed, children can still take part in the Summer Reading Challenge this year.
The Reading Agency and Libraries are encouraging children to join the Silly Squad, an adventurous team of animals, to celebrate books that make us happy and laugh, featuring bespoke artwork from award-winning children’s author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson.
Due to the Coronavirus, The Reading Agency has redesigned this year’s Summer Reading Challenge into a virtual one. Now it is more important than ever to keep children reading over the summer months, and this year’s Challenge aims to support parents and carers to do this.
The Summer Reading Challenge started earlier this year, on Friday 5 June. The launch kicked off with a ‘Let’s Gets Silly’ virtual event on the Summer Reading Challenge’s Facebook page for the all the family to enjoy. You can still watch the short videos featuring a host of silly readings and family themed activities by celebrities and best-selling authors led by Jacqueline Wilson, Cressida Cowell, Philip Ardagh, CBBC’s Sam and Mark to name a few.
The digital challenge platform is now up and running and is FREE for children and their families to join and use, providing a safe and secure sign-up process. This is a great opportunity to develop skills and enjoy reading as a family. To take part this year, log on to the Silly Squad website.
Children will be able to set their own personal reading goals and keep track of their progress, unlocking virtual rewards as they work through their challenge. You can also print a certificate at the end. They are encouraged to read six books, although this year there is no minimum (or maximum!) number to be read. As libraries are closed children can read any books! It can be in digital or print format from e-books and e-audio books or books that are already at home. Don’t forget there are lots of e-books and e-audio in the online BorrowBox library.
As well as finding book suggestions from the Book Sorter, the Silly Squad website will include games, quizzes and downloadable activities
Whilst all the staff and volunteers in libraries will obviously miss hearing children talk about their books this year, they are looking forward to reading their reviews on the Silly Squad website, www.sillysquad.org.uk.