Wiltshire Council’s summer reading challenge had a happy ending with a record number of children taking part.
The annual promotion attracted 9,398 readers – and between them they completed more than 37,000 books.
More than 250 volunteers helped run the scheme in Wiltshire Council libraries across the county.
John Thomson, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for libraries, said: “Our Beano-themed Mischief Makers challenge was hugely popular. “We would like to thank all the volunteers who supported the children taking part. Alongside our staff, they really helped to make it a special and fun experience.”
Children aged four to 11 were encouraged to join in with incentives including a Beanotown map where they added stickers as they read books, and a Dennis the Menace wristband.
Six-year-old Declan Chacksfield from Melksham took part, he said: “I enjoyed reading the books. I liked getting a medal and talking to people at the library about the stories I read.”
A 10-year-old girl from Chippenham said: “I really enjoyed the reading challenge. Instead of watching YouTube before bedtime I read a chapter. I will always read before bedtime because of the reading challenge. Thank you.”
A Chippenham parent said: “The reading challenge is the only thing that motivates my son to read over the holidays. He gets so excited about doing it. It’s the highlight of the holidays.”
The Mischief Makers Summer Reading Challenge 2018 was produced nationally by the Reading Agency charity and run locally by Wiltshire Council libraries.
