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Lincolnshire libraries including Grantham, Stamford, Spalding and Bourne to launch ‘Story Garden’ summer reading challenge to encourage children to pick up a book




Children are invited to join a nature-themed reading challenge at county libraries this summer.

Libraries across Lincolnshire, including Grantham, Stamford, Spalding and Bourne, are inviting children aged 4 to 11 to join its ‘Story Garden’ Summer Reading Challenge.

The free programme starts on Saturday, July 5, with creative activities to inspire young readers.

Grantham Library.
Grantham Library.

Children can sign up at the launch event from 11am to 12.30pm and create a nature zine. No booking needed.

Throughout the summer holidays, Grantham Library will host a series of family-friendly craft sessions, including pebble painting, sunflower suncatchers, flower crafting to decorate the library garden, and making fairy or elf houses.

Highlights include a visit from children’s author Mary Auld on August 20 and a chance to meet Grantham District Beekeepers the next day.

The programme culminates in a celebration event on Saturday, 13 September, where children can collect their Summer Reading Challenge certificate beneath a colourful garden arch they helped to create.

Library manager Rachel Pledge said, “We have so many fabulous and free Summer Reading Challenge events and activities planned this year.

“This year’s theme has given us lots of scope for fun nature-inspired activities combining arts and crafts.

“We look forward to seeing what the children create and to hearing about what they are reading.”

Below is what’s going on over the next three months:

- July 5 – Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge launch – 11am to 12.30pm.

- July 25 – Animal and flower pebble painting – 10.30am to 12pm. A fun craft session for families to paint pebbles inspired by nature.

- July 31 – Sunflower and suncatcher crafting – 2.30pm to 4pm. Join in to make bright sunflowers and suncatchers.

- August 5 – Flower crafting for library garden – 2pm to 3.30pm. Help create flowers to decorate the children’s library garden.

- August 12 – Make a fairy garden or elf house – 11am to 12.30pm. A magical craft session where children can build their own fairy or elf homes.

- August 20 – Bug crafting and meet children’s author Mary Auld – 2pm to 3.30pm. Enjoy bug-themed crafts and a chance to meet author Mary Auld.

- August 21 – Meet the bees with Grantham District Beekeepers – 1pm to 2.30pm. Learn about bees and their importance from local beekeepers.

- August 28 – Make your own cheeky parrot or feathered friend – 2.30pm to 4pm. Craft your own colourful bird friend.

- September 13 – Summer Reading Challenge celebration – 11am to 3pm. Celebrate the end of the challenge with certificate collection and photo opportunities at the library’s Story Garden arch.

Families can find full details of the events on the Lincolnshire Libraries website.

Running since 1999, the challenge helps prevent the summer reading dip children face when school is out.

It reached nearly 600,000 children across the UK last year, inspiring over 100,000 new library memberships.



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