News shared by The Reading Agency of events happening at all libraries on the island, including Ventnor:
Step into the magical world of Story Garden
This summer, The Reading Agency invites children to step into the magical world of Story Garden, the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge theme.
Children can join for free in any Isle of Wight library now.
As they read over the summer, they can discover new books, earn rewards and enjoy nature-inspired events and activities.
More information about the summer reading challenge
What is the Summer Reading Challenge?
- children can read any books they like during the challenge (these can be easy or hard, or stories or fact books, even be audio books borrowed through the library’s Borrowbox service), anything counts!
- as they read books, they receive rewards
- any child aged three and over can take part in the challenge
All Island libraries participate in this fun reading experience.
Find your local library, then come and visit us to register and join in.
National Online Challenge
Children can also join the online challenge and receive virtual badges as they read. They can play online games, enter competitions and get loads of book recommendations.
Benefits of the Challenge
Children’s reading can reduce during the summer holidays. This might be because they do not have regular access to books and the incentive to read for pleasure. Research shows that reading challenges can make a big difference in keeping reading levels up.
The key to the challenge is that children are free to choose their own books. This means they are not pressured to read books they do not like. Parents have reported that this makes a difference to their child’s enthusiasm for reading.