Northumberland Libraries get involved in Look for a Book challenge

Northumberland Libraries have joined a new initiative taking the region by storm to encourage children to read.

 

The Look for a Book North East England Facebook page was set up by Christine Elrick, the head of literacy at Westoe Crown Primary School, South Shields and encourages youngsters to hide a book of their choice for others to find, read and rehide.

 

The page was so popular local offshoots have now been developed with the Look for a Book Northumberland page already having more than 2,400 members.

 

Northumberland Libraries have now joined the initiative and have started hiding books in and around branches across the county for children to find.

 

Once they have been found children are also being encouraged to pop into the branch where they have found the book and sign up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

 

Throughout the summer holidays children are being asked to join in this year’s Spacechase challenge which celebrates 50 years since the moon landings.

 

This year’s Challenge asks 4-11 year olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer.

 

Children will team up with futuristic family The Rockets for an exciting space mission as they track down books nabbed by a mischievous band of aliens. As children read library books for the Summer Reading Challenge, they will receive special stickers, some with mysterious smells. By adding these stickers to their collectable mission folders, young readers will help the Rockets solve clues, dodge asteroids and discover the missing books, having lots of fun and adventures along the way.

 

To take part in Space Chase, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library, where they will be given a collector folder to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.

 

The challenge runs until Saturday September 13.

 

Cath Homer, cabinet member for Culture, Arts, Leisure and Tourism said: “The Look for a Book initiative is a great way of getting children to read books and share their love of reading.

 

“It was something we were keen to support and it’s been great seeing the joy it is bringing children when they find a book.

 

“We already know that reading from a young age is hugely important both from a literacy and language point of view and one of the easiest ways of getting access to a wide range of children’s stories is by signing up to your local libraries. As well as being able to borrow books to take home and enjoy there are also a host of family friendly events across our service throughout the year.”

 

To find out more about your local library go to www.mylibrary.co.uk