Culture Perth and Kinross libraries may be closed at present but young readers can still take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

This year the popular reading challenge for children is running virtually, with an all-new digital format and with a very ‘silly’ theme.

Last year saw over 1300 youngsters from across Perth & Kinross sign up to take part in the annual reading challenge, organised by The Reading Agency and delivered by Culture Perth and Kinross libraries.

This year, a digital version of the Summer Reading Challenge was launched on June 5th. The challenge is aimed at children aged 4 – 11, although older and younger children are also able to sign up should they wish to take part over the summer. We even know if a few adults who’ve enjoyed taking part too!

Readers can join the Silly Squad by heading on over to www.sillysquad.org.uk and starting on a new adventure by setting their own personal reading challenge to complete this summer.

Children will be able to meet the Silly Squad, a loveable bunch of animals who run a fantastic funhouse. The Silly Squad love to go on silly adventures and get stuck into all kinds of funny books.

Participants taking part online will discover more about the fantastic characters in the Silly Squad, unlock digital rewards, activities and video content as rewards for their reading.  Also, children can access lots of super silly quizzes, videos, games and be able to track books, reviews and the rewards they’ve unlocked along the way.

For this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Culture Perth and Kinross has also created some fun ‘non-digital’ activities to keep young readers creative over the summer. Children will be able to record their activities in a diary to show staff when the libraries reopen.

To extend the Summer Reading Challenge to as many young readers as possible our libraries staff have created a special Silly Squad collection of e-books and audiobooks that is available on the Culture Perth and Kinross website with RB Digital, helping to inspire and enthuse young readers around the region.

Children will also be able to enter a book prize draw by sharing their silly pictures and stories. Further details of how to enter can be found on our website www.culturepk.org.uk

Full details of the Summer Reading Challenge can be found on the Culture Perth and Kinross website: https://www.culturepk.org.uk/whats-on/summer-reading-challenge/

This year’s challenge is running from now until the end of September, so there is plenty of time to take part and get silly this summer.