CHILDREN aged four to 11 can visit local libraries in Denbighshire this summer to meet the Gadgeteers and get involved in a science and innovation-themed Summer Reading Challenge.

Through taking part in the Challenge, with free materials from the library and online via the Challenge website, children will be able to join six fictional Gadgeteers.

The characters – brought to life by children’s writer and illustrator Julian Beresford – use their curiosity and wonder to understand the science behind a whole range of interests, from fashion and technology to cooking and music.

Through books and exciting activities, the Gadgeteers will help to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them, and encourage them to feed their imagination over the summer holiday. They will be boggled by brilliant facts, gaze at the stars, and be inspired by tales of creativity and invention.

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Summer Reading Challenge events at Denbighshire libraries will include science workshops with Xplore and Lego workshops with G2G for children aged 4-12, Words and Wiggles story and dance sessions with Eleni for under 5s and Bookstart baby rhymetimes.

Ask at your local library or visit https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/summer-of-fun-2022/summer-of-fun.aspx to find out about the activities in libraries which are part of the Summer of Fun programme of events and activities for children and families.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for the Welsh Language, Culture, Heritage said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is our flagship programme to engage children in reading for pleasure.

“I am delighted that the challenge has now launched in our local libraries and I encourage every child in Denbighshire to join in.

“It’s all free and as well as the reading challenge there are some great workshops and activities to attend.

“We are proud to also be delivering the public Gadgeteers campaign as part of the Welsh Government funded Summer of Fun, with the Society of Chief Librarians Cymru.

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“Our libraries play a vital role in supporting children to become readers and to develop a lifelong love of reading and I would like to thank the staff for the encouragement and support they offer all the children who visit our libraries.”

The Summer Reading Challenge reaches over 700,000 children across the UK each year in partnership with public libraries.

Family use of libraries also increased amongst Challenge participants, with more than 130,000 children joining the library as new members.

Since 1999, the popular Challenge has encouraged children to read for pleasure over the summer holidays, building reading skills and confidence and helping to prevent the ‘dip’ in reading skills while children are out of school.