CHILDREN are being encouraged to explore a good book during the school holidays with the Gloucestershire Libraries Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Free to take part, children taking on the challenge must read six books over the holidays, collecting stickers along the way and other prizes including wrist bands.

To receive a certificate and a medal for completing the challenge, children need to visit a library three times, collect all three sets of stickers and record six of their favourite books.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a national reading scheme for children run by libraries over the summer holidays and is free to take part in.

 

Along the way, children will meet fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology who are the stars of the Mythical Maze including a yeti and a Minotaur.

All of the wonderful Mythical Maze creatures, along with the beautifully illustrated poster that children will receive when they sign up for the challenge, have been created by children's illustrator and writer, Sarah McIntyre.

Children aged 4-12 years will be able to sign up at their local library from Saturday, July 12 until Saturday, August 30.

This year there is a Mythical Maze app that brings the amazing illustrations to 3D life. Just write Mythical Maze into your App store or download from sol.us/mythical/

Cllr Dorcas Binns, cabinet member with responsibility for libraries with Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Last year nearly 10,000 children in Gloucestershire signed up to improve their reading skills over the summer holidays, and we hope even more will join up this year. Our libraries will be buzzing with exciting events and family activities, look out for competitions with great prizes.”

For more information visit www.mythical-maze.org.uk