Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge launches in Wales, helping young readers to grow their reading skills

Children from schools in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Newtown and Cardiff joined top children’s authors last week at special events in their local libraries to launch the Summer Reading Challenge in Wales.

The events celebrated this year’s Challenge theme, ‘Story Garden’, where magical creatures, wild tales and the wonders of nature come to life. Children can sign up to the scheme at their local library and discover new reading adventures all summer long.
At Penylan library in Cardiff, pupils from Roath Park Primary School enjoyed a workshop with author Ian Brown, the creator of the Albert the Tortoise and the Hugg ‘n’ Bugg book series, while at Newtown Library Claire Fayers, author of award-winning Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins, joined pupils from Ysgol Calon y Dderwen to discover the magical creatures that lurk in forest and valleys, and in our own gardens.
Bethan Gwanas and pupils from Ysgol Maenofferen discussed the much-loved Cadi series at Blaenau Ffestiniog Library. Bethan was awarded the Mary Vaughan Jones Award in 2024 for her outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

Author Ian Brown said: “It was a ‘Tortal’ privilege to help launch this year’’s Summer Reading Challenge. Telling the stories of Albert and his garden gang to an amazing group of children at Penylan Library was very special indeed. Supersize thanks to everyone involved. Happy reading to all” 

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: “Thank you to all the authors, libraries, schools and pupils for getting this year’s Summer Reading Challenge off to a brilliant start! Libraries are fantastic places to discover books of all kinds, and thanks to the support of Welsh Government, we’re so pleased that children across Wales can take up the Challenge and keep reading over the holidays.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: “We are once again funding the Summer Reading Challenge to ensure all children have the opportunity to enjoy reading during the summer holidays. The Challenge helps capture children’s imaginations and discover new authors and books, alongside developing their reading skills throughout the school holidays.”

Produced by The Reading Agency and delivered with public libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep children reading over the summer holidays with events, activities and brilliant books – all available to access for free from local libraries. It provides a free, fun way to keep young minds active, ready for a great start to a new school year in the autumn.
From Saturday 5 July, young readers aged 4–11 can sign up at a local library, or online at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk. Read at least six books to complete the challenge – you can choose stories, graphic novels, non-fiction books, or listen to audio books – anything goes! Unlock rewards, discover new reads, and receive a medal and certificate once the challenge is completed.
With a new theme every year, the Challenge is aimed at children age 4–11. It supports this age group and their families by:

• Preparing children to get back to the classroom in the autumn.
• Supporting the move into a new year group or key stage.
• Boosting children’s confidence and self-esteem by supporting independent reading.
• Providing free access to books and fun family activities during the summer.

The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by The Reading Agency. It is supported in Wales by the Books Council of Wales and funded by Welsh Government. From 2025 this project is funded by the Curriculum for Wales Grant Support Programme, thanks to Welsh Government.