Jordan Stephens, Isy Suttie and Alex Wharton confirmed as Summer Reading Challenge Champions for 2024
Richard Ayoade, Alex Wharton, Peter H Reynolds, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Katherine Woodfine, Shalini Vallepur, Tim Hopgood, Ed Vere and Jono Ganz, are just some of the authors chosen for the ‘Marvellous Makers’ Summer Reading Challenge.
Today, The Reading Agency together with arts charity Create, revealed this year’s Summer Reading Challenge book collection and brand-new theme: “Marvellous Makers”. Delivered in partnership with public libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest free reading programme which aims to inspire children aged between 4-11 to read for fun over the summer holidays, realising their inner storytellers and motivating them to tell their own stories through various creative free-to-access activities.
The charities are also working with some leading names in the creative arts as Challenge Champions including actor, TV presenter, musician and author Jordan Stephens, British comedian, actress, author and Create Patron, Isy Suttie, and Welsh Laureate and children’s author Alex Wharton who is a well-known “advocate for children’s creativity”.
Now in its 25th year, the programme is helping more children than ever read for fun over the summer , with almost 700,000 children inspired to utilise their local libraries and take part in the Challenge last year. With the pandemic having widened the attainment gap and the cost-of-living crisis affecting many families, the Summer Reading Challenge remains a powerful agent for change; offering families and caregivers a free and accessible way of supporting their children’s creativity, confidence and peer-to-peer relationships, whilst preventing the ‘dip’ in reading skills during the school holidays.
This year’s theme of “Marvellous Makers” has been developed in partnership with Create – the UK’s leading charity empowering lives, reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing through the creative arts – and aims to enable children to understand, appreciate and express themselves through creativity and reading. Delivered with public libraries across the UK, the Challenge will provide a range of exciting activities and resources that bring reading and creativity together, empowering children to become ‘Marvellous Makers’ themselves. The characters and artwork have been created by children’s writer and illustrator Natelle Quek and children will be encouraged in their reading with free incentives and rewards.
The list of books selected by children’s reading experts for the official Challenge book collection includes popular options for all reading levels – from picture books to longer read, chapter books – by leading authors and illustrators, including: Richard Ayoade’s The Book That No One Wanted to Read, Peter H Reynold’s The Dot, Rashmi Sirdeshpande’s Dadajii’s Paintbrush, Katherine Woodfine’s Elisabeth and the Box of Colours, Shalini Vallepur’s I Can Be… Creative, Alex Wharton’s Red Sky at Night, Poets Delight, Tim Hopgood’s Matisse’s Magical Trail, Ed Vere’s The Artist, Kim Hillyard’s Frida the Rock and Roll Moth and Jono Ganz’s Mildred the Gallery Cat; plus many more. The full list can be viewed here.
The Summer Reading Challenge shines a light on the power of public libraries as a hub for local communities. This year, the Challenge officially begins in Scotland and online on 22 June and England and Wales on 6 July. OverDrive are the Lead sponsor for the Summer Reading Challenge of Home Zone and Explore Learning are the Lead Sponsor for the Library Zone.
Musician, actor and author, Jordan Stephens, said: “It’s important that children read because it’s how we learn to interact with the world and see things through other people’s eyes. Empathy is built through reading. Our imaginations are developed through reading. When I hear that kids are reading less, my heart breaks. Especially young boys. I was fortunate enough to be encouraged to read as a child. Ended up looking forward to disappearing before bed; escaping to another world. Learning about the true depths of adventure. Words will never not be powerful, I’ve said it before, they are literally magic.”
Comedian and author, Isy Suttie, said: “I was incredibly chuffed to be asked to become a SRC Champion. Reading has always formed the backbone of my life and I believe passionately that it does wonders for us as humans to be truly absorbed in a book – one of the reasons being a Create Patron is so important to me. A book you adore can provide excitement, solace and strength. I can’t wait to get started!”
Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency, said: “The Reading Agency’s flagship Summer Reading Challenge is back! We are excited that the Marvellous Makers’ Challenge, in partnership with Create, will spark imaginations through reading, inspiring children to tap into their i curiosity and innovation. We’re thrilled to have such a talented group of authors and artists involved who will be wonderful reading role models. The Summer Reading Challenge is a powerful way for families to have fun together while preventing the ‘summer dip’ in literacy skills.”
Nicky Goulder, Founding CEO, Create, said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to be part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. People need to create, and ‘Marvellous Makers’ is a fantastic opportunity to bring creativity to children across the UK. Everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, should have the opportunity to engage in the arts. We’re delighted to have the support of this year’s Champions in spreading the word about the power of creativity to empower lives, build skills, bring people together and improve wellbeing.”
