‘A Library Full Of Kids’ Marks The Start Of Summer Activities And The Big Friendly Read

Caerphilly Library and Customer Services Centre recently launched a programme of summer activities and the start of The Big Friendly Read Summer Reading Challenge 2016 with ‘A Library Full of Kids’ fun day. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

‘A Library Full of Kids’ took on the theme of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in celebration of famous welsh author Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday. The event was held to mark the launch of Caerphilly Library and Customer Resource Centre’s summer activities, as well as encouraging children to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The children’s area of Caerphilly Library was totally transformed for the event, with a fantastic chocolate river complete with a boat and characters from the book. Library staff also got in on the act, as they dressed up as popular characters from the book. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Author Mike Church was the star attraction of the day entertaining children and adults with circus tricks, stories, jokes and anecdotes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A number of activities were on offer throughout the day including hat making, a treasure hunt, a ‘how many sweets are on the cake’ game and Roald Dahl colourings to enjoy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The activity day resulted in 120 children signing up for ‘The Big Friendly Read’ Summer Reading Challenge 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Summer Reading Challenge is a FREE and fun literary activity for children age 4 to 11 during the 6 week summer break. Those who sign up are invited to borrow and read 6 library books of their choice during the summer holidays, while gaining rewards along the way. On completion of all 6 books, children receive their very own Big Friendly Read medal and certificate to keep and are entered into an annual prize draw. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Derek Havard, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic campaign which encourages children to continue to read during the summer holidays, as this helps to maintain and even improve a child’s literacy skills when they are away from the school environment. I am delighted that so many young people have already signed up for the challenge, which this year pays homage to Roald Dahl. Good luck to everyone taking part”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Children who wish to sign up for the Big Friendly Read can still do so at any of the 18 libraries in Caerphilly county borough from now until 10th September. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​