Summer reading challenge for youngsters

Moray Council’s libraries service is urging children to sign up to read six books this summer as part of the Big Friendly Read – this year’s Tesco Bank summer reading challenge.

The challenge invites children to borrow and read any six library books over the summer holidays and has a new theme each year.

This year the challenge is being delivered in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Literary Estate to celebrate the centenary of his birth.

To take part all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library where they will receive a special collector’s folder and as they borrow and read over the summer they will collect six special cards, all featuring original illustrations by Quentin Blake and exploring some of the most popular theme in Roald Dahl’s books.

The Big Friendly Read will be launched across libraries in Moray on Friday, July 1 and will run until Saturday, August 27.

Jane Sandell, senior young people’s librarian with Moray Council’s libraries service, said: “I am a huge believer in the joy that reading brings and the Tesco Bank summer reading challenge offers the opportunity to share the experience of reading and the joy.

“The chance to try out new books and return to old favourites is one of the best things a child can be offered and I hope that parents and carers will put the Big Friendly Read at the top of their to-do list this summer.”

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.