Silly Squad’s stories keep kids entertained

Until mid-September the national Summer Reading Challenge runs in partnership with public libraries for free to motivate primary school children to read at least six books over the summer.

Themed ‘Silly Squad’ this year, it hopes to encourage laughter, happiness and reading for pleasure while combatting the summer reading ‘dip’ while children are off school.

Guille-Alles Library children’s team member Neil Torode said: ‘We read silly stories and rhymes, and do some traditional and modern fun songs which are perfect for rainy days like this.

‘We had planned to do a character hunt outside, where we dress up in costume, but were rained off.’

Children did not seem to mind as they got stuck in.

‘The idea behind Silly Squad is to promote literacy and a love of reading in children.

‘During the school holidays we focus on primary age children. This year we’ve had over 1,600 children sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.’

Those signed up collect a library pack before reading any six books to receive a medal on completion.

‘Songs we sing include “If you’re happy and you know it,” “Head, shoulders, knees and toes,” and “Go bananas.”

‘Today we have about 15 here with their families, all pre-school and reception age inclusive. We offer activities to complete which change each week. Some weeks we have more, some less, but it’s really grown in popularity.’

On-site is a community library run by Guille-Alles managed by a volunteer team, which rotates the books on offer every three weeks.

Books are requested and are delivered within the week.

Popular titles are available as well as large print books and ‘talking books’ which are very popular.

Memory sticks are provided which contain full-length books, as well as jigsaws and a children’s corner.

Usually people come to sit and enjoy the sociable side while checking in and out books, and regular faces are missed when they are not there.

n Contact childrens@library.gg or 743635 for more information.