Wokingham

Children in the Wokingham district are on a mission this summer and their target is a reading challenge at their local library.

Organised by Wokingham District Council’s library service, the reading challenge aims to get more children and young people to read and enjoy books and this year’s theme is ‘reading mission’ focusing on spy stories. The reading challenge starts this coming Saturday (July 15) in all the district’s libraries and runs throughout the summer holidays.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, said: “The Reading challenge is a fun way for children and young people to read their way through the summer holidays. Their mission is to get through six books, collecting stickers and spy cards along the journey. All those who complete the mission, will receive a certificate as well as some surprise goodies!”

And that’s not all that is happening this summer in a library near you! Author Joe Craig will be on hand to talk about his books for teenagers at Wokingham and Lower Earley libraries on Monday August 7.

The district council’s libraries are teaming up the physics department at Reading University to offer Science of Slime workshops. Dr Averil Macdonald will be showing the children how to make slime, and then they will be given a chance to put the chemistry to work to make some slime themselves. This workshop will take place at Wokingham and Winnersh libraries on Wednesday August 16 and is suitable for 8-11 year olds.

All the district’s libraries will be hosting a themed monkey story time session for the under fives. The sessions are based on the Curious George books by Margaret Hey and children will also have the opportunity to make a monkey mask to take home with them.

All branches will also be hosting a fairy and wizard party for five to nine year olds. This is a chance for them to come dressed as their favourite fairy or wizard, hear some funny stories and make a magical wand to take home!

A Manga drawing workshop will be coming to Wokingham and Maiden Erlegh libraries and illustrator Sonia Leong will be encouraging youngster to create comic masterpieces on Monday July 31. Manga is the Japanese word for comic book and is a type of graphic novel.
The workshop will discuss what Manga is and will give an overview of the art and its style. This event is open to children and young people aged 10 years and older.

Lower Earley and Woodley libraries will be having a book debrief session. Young people can come along to hear spy and detective stories and discuss favourite book characters. This ties in with the film release of the Anthony Horowitz film Stormbreaker and is suitable for nine to 12 year olds.

All events are free to attend but places must be booked in advance by contacting the appropriate library. For more information including details of dates, times and how to book, please check out the council’s website at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/arts-leisure--libraries/libraries/childrens-zone/events

Wokingham Cllr King added: “It is important that we encourage children and young people to read and enjoy books. This reading challenge is a great chance for them to visit the library this summer and bring their parents and carers with them. Whilst they are at the library they can take part in themed story-time sessions and meet guest authors face to face plus much, much more. I hope that lots of children and young people will get involved.”

Wokingham District Council