
Reading & Libraries
Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Resources for Schools
Resources to support Nottinghamshire schools to promote the challenge to their pupils and their families. Plus details of live virtual assemblies available to book.
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In all Inspire libraries Saturday 5 July - Sunday 7 September.
The Summer Reading Challenge, aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years, is to read six or more library books over the summer. There are stickers to collect and a medal and certificate when a child completes the Challenge. This year's Challenge is called is Story Garden. Story Garden celebrates nature and the great outdoors, exploring adventure, fantasy and the magical world of storytelling.
Artwork from illustrator Dapo Adeola brings the Story Garden theme to life; creating an enchanting world where children can find magical creatures, plants and flowers to inspire their next reading adventure.
The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries across the country.
Teachers: See resources for Nottinghamshire schools or book onto one of our virtual assemblies to introduce your pupils to the Summer Reading Challenge.
Librarian Chris introduces Story Garden, Summer Reading Challenge 2025
In celebration of the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden we're asking children aged 4 - 11, to get creative and design a dream treehouse that would be perfect for the garden. Children can win prizes for them and their school! The Design Your Dream Treehouse Competition is kindly sponsored by arcpartnership. Visit inspireculture.org.uk/designatreehouse to find out more
Story Garden Sticker Booklet
Mini Challenge: There is a bite sized version of the Summer Reading Challenge is also available for children aged 3 and under. Find out more.
Story Garden illustrations by Dapo Adeola, illustrations and logo © The Reading Agency 2025
Children can also take part online for digital rewards.
There is help and guidance available to support signing up to the online challenge from The Reading Agency.
Please note the in-person and online Challenges are separate. Physical incentives such as the poster, stickers and medals are only avaiable via the library for those taking part in-person.
Children can read any books they like on the Summer Reading Challenge; stories, fact books, poetry, jokes, graphic novels.
If you are looking for inspiration there are some Story Garden suggested reads on our library catalogue
There are also lots of ebooks and audio books that can be borrowed from the library online to help complete the online challenge.
The Challenge has a different theme every year. The 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, Marvellous Makers was developed in collaboration with Create, a leading arts charity and celebrated creativity, imagination and the power of reading.
8,165 children in Nottinghamshire took part in the challenge in 2024
Children who take part:
To find out more click here
Reading & Libraries
Resources to support Nottinghamshire schools to promote the challenge to their pupils and their families. Plus details of live virtual assemblies available to book.
Reading & Libraries
A drawing competition for children aged 4 - 11. To celebrate Story Garden, Summer Reading Challenge 2025. Sponsored by arcpartnership. Closing date 31 August 2025
Arts & Culture
Each year Inspire commissions an artist and author to create and deliver a programme of visual art and literacy activity with our libraries for children and families, inspired by and linked to the Summer Reading Challenge.
Arts & Culture
Follow Ozmo & Orbi, two brave little aliens, as they set off on an amazing journey to find the perfect planet! interactive dance theatre show is for children aged 4-9 & their grown-ups. Touring Inspire Libraries 12 - 17 August 2025.
Reading & Libraries
We have a regular programme of children's authors and illustrators visiting our libraries. Over the summer illustrator Allen Fatimaharen visits Beeston and West Bridgford libraries and author Terri Chilvers heads to Bingham and Newark libraries ...plus look ahead to events in October.
What's On
Enjoy FREE events for the whole family at your local Inspire library this summer! We're still adding our event listings, so check back soon for more!
Reading & Libraries
The Mini Challenge is bite sized version of the Summer Reading Challenge for our youngest readers. Children collect stickers on a special collector card for the books they borrow and read.
Reading & Libraries
We have thousands of free e-resources suitable for children to borrow. Why not give our e-services a try, all you need is your library card number and pin to begin borrowing.
Reading & Libraries
Find your nearest library here. All Inspire libraries are taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge