Here’s a challenge that will keep you turning pages this summer

Are you up for a challenge? Then keep reading – literally.

Redland City Council Libraries are bringing back the Redlands Coast Summer Reading Challenge after the success of the inaugural event last year.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said the challenge aimed to keep literacy levels high over the summer school holidays.

“Recent research has shown that students in Years 1 to 8 can lose up to a third of the year’s learning over the summer holidays,” she said.

“The phenomenon is called ‘summer slide’, and the reading challenge is a way to help address that by encouraging reading for fun and establishing a daily reading habit.

“This year, the challenge celebrates our Redlands Coast lifestyle with activities including an interactive challenge map, special colouring-in pages, a book review and a book cover design activity.”

The 2024 Redlands Coast Summer Reading Challenge will be launched at Victoria Point Library on Saturday 30 November, with special guest children’s author and performer Jack Carty.

The official first day of the challenge is Sunday 1 December, the start of summer.

How the Summer Reading Challenge works: 

Pick up your activity sheet from your local Redland City Council Library or Mobile Library or you can download and print at home. The sheets are available on each of the online Reading Challenge event listings; there’s one for younger readers and one for older readers.From 1 December, begin the first week of reading challenges.After completing five challenges, fill out one entry form for the weekly prize draw.Submit your entry form at your local library branch to be entered in the weekly prize draw and the final grand prize draw.Check the Libraries Facebook page each week through January for winner announcements. All participants will be eligible for the final grand prize draw in February.

Parents and caregivers can do the challenge with babies and toddlers, as well as support their school-aged children to complete the reading challenge.

It is free to enter the challenge.

As well as the challenge, Cleveland, Victoria Point and Capalaba libraries will be hosting Santa Mailboxes this year. You can visit these branches to mail your letters to Santa and collect a colouring-in sheet.

To book for the launch event at Victoria Point Library go to: Summer Reading Challenge Launch

Library locations and opening hours are available on Council’s website.