Librarians and children from Chatterbooks children’s reading groups were enlisted to help select this year’s Summer Reading Challenge titles, which includes Michael Morpurgo’s celebrated lifetime of tales.
Of Lions and Unicorns is the most comprehensive and definitive Michael Morpurgo collection ever and features twenty-five enchanting short stories as well as extracts from twenty-five of his best-loved novels.
The theme for this year’s Challenge is Mythical Maze and is illustrated by Sarah MacIntyre. The theme introduces “children to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology and invites them to collect stickers of the characters”. Libraries will be encouraged to seek out local myths and legends, involve heritage groups and storytellers and engage schools in the run-up to the summer holidays.
The announcement of this year’s list comes the day before National Libraries Day (8th February). Sue Wilkinson, director of The Reading Agency, said:
“The Summer Reading Challenge book collections that we’re announcing for National Libraries Day are examples of the exciting range of books and reading activities on offer at libraries that really inspire children to become enthusiastic readers.
“We have worked with publishers, librarians and children to create and champion these new book collections, so even more children will be turned on to reading at libraries this summer.”
Get involved with the summer reading challenge
Check out the Summer Reading Challenge website where children can chat, get reading recommendations and play games.
Parents can join the facebook page to find out the latest news about the 2014 Challenge.
