The Summer Reading Challenge, delivered in partnership with public libraries across the UK, is back for 2025! Launching on 21 June 2025 across all Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries, the Challenge invites children to embark on an exciting reading journey, either through their local library or online. This year’s theme, Story Garden, encourages young readers to explore nature and the great outdoors through reading and is being supported by a fantastic program of events. 

The annual Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries across the UK, and it’s free for children to take part. Throughout the summer, children joining ‘Story Garden’ can discover new books, participate in free activities at Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries, and explore the link between reading and the great outdoors, where nature and imagination come together. 

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge features artwork from award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, whose stunning illustrations will bring the Story Garden theme to life, creating an enchanting world where children can find magical creatures, plants and flowers to inspire their next reading adventure. 

Recent research shows that children’s enjoyment and engagement in reading is in decline, despite research from the OECD showing that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success, more important than either parents’ educational background or household income. The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to get excited about reading throughout the summer, helping to maintain their reading habits at a time when engagement can often wane. 

The Impact of the Challenge is clear:

“The Summer Reading Challenge continues to be a bright light in what has recently been an uncertain picture of children’s reading. Story Garden will create magical spaces where children can explore and be curious, combining the joy of reading with the proven wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature. Libraries will be hosting inspiring events and activities where nature and wildlife will take children on adventures and plants inspire their next story. We’re particularly excited to be working with Dapo Adeola, whose wonderful illustrations will help bring these adventures to life.”  – Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency.

Reaching close to 600,000 children in 2024, the Challenge helped start over 100,000 new library memberships and contributed to 13.3 million books being read and logged over the summer. Since its inception in 1999, the Summer Reading Challenge has helped start 15 million reading journeys, making it a vital cornerstone in the children’s reading ecosystem. 

A programme of free and paid events is taking place across Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries, and a full list can be found here. For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.