Summer Reading Challenge
Dates: Saturday, 4 July 2026–Saturday, 12 September 2026
Suitable for: the Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at 4–11 year olds.
Read to the Beat: turn up the volume on reading this summer
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is Read to the Beat, delivered by The Reading Agency with public libraries and powered by Universal Music Group UK. The theme inspires children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity. This year's Challenge is brought to life with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator, Harry Woodgate.
Take part
To take part in the Summer Reading Challenge:
- Your child needs to be a library member. If they're not, see how to join the library
- Your child can sign up for the challenge at any library in the borough. Find your local library
- They'll get a collector's folder to keep track of their reading. Record the books your child reads, or listen to, over the summer in their collector's folder and award stickers for progress. You and your child can decide together what their reading goals should be, depending on their reading ability and enthusiasm.
- When they complete their own challenge, come back to the library with the collector's folder. Your child will be awarded a medal and certificate (whilst stocks last) and we'll enter them into a prize draw.
Your child can also take part in the challenge online, where they can track their progress and earn rewards over several challenges.
Join the Summer Reading Challenge online
What to read for the challenge
Your child can read anything they'd like – all books count towards the goal. This includes comics, poems, audiobooks, picture books and non-fiction books. All our libraries have a great selection of books to choose from, or children can read books they might already have at home.
They may like to:
- Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks for free
- Use the book sorter to get recommendations on what to read - all of the books in the Book Sorter have been added by children just like you.
- Re-read a book - your child can re-read books they already have at home. The most important thing is that they're reading and having fun.
Ideas, games, competitions and more
The Summer Reading Challenge website has fantastic reading ideas, fun games and exciting competitions. You can also keep up to date with all the latest Summer Reading Challenge news.
Events and activities
Events and activities will take place throughout the summer holidays.
You can find out about these events on: