The Summer Reading Challenge’s ‘Marvellous Makers’ theme celebrates children’s creativity 

The Reading Agency is excited to announce the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge: Marvellous Makers! Developed in partnership with Create, a leading charity bringing the creative arts to those who need it most, this year’s Challenge aims to fire up children’s imaginations and unleash storytelling and creativity through the power of reading.  

The annual Challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries, and it’s free to take part. From June to September, children taking part in ‘Marvellous Makers’ can discover new stories, join in with free activities at the library, and explore their creativity – from junk modelling to music, dance to drawing and painting. 

This year’s bespoke illustrations are created by Natelle Quek, celebrated illustrator of titles including Wild Wild Wood (Puffin Books) and I Am Nefertiti (Five Quills). Taking place in libraries and online, the Summer Reading Challenge provides the perfect opportunity for active minds to explore, imagine, and create in a supportive and engaging environment. 

Reading sparks imagination and creativity, helping to expose children to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences that fire up their minds. The Summer Reading Challenge aims to harness these creative thinking skills and build confidence in young readers during the school holiday when they aren’t in the classroom. Participation encourages children to read for pleasure, with books providing knowledge and giving children the tools and confidence to think originally, play with concepts, and express their creativity in unique ways. 

This year’s ‘Marvellous Makers’ theme will inspire children’s inner storytellers, motivating them to be curious and to tell their own stories through various creative outlets. The partnership with Create aims to allow children to understand and appreciate creativity through reading. The partnership will provide a range of exciting activities and resources that bring reading and creativity together, empowering children to become ‘Marvellous Makers’ themselves.  

“The Summer Reading Challenge is all about inspiring children’s creativity and imagination through reading. Developed in partnership with the fantastic charity Create, this year’s theme will spark children’s inner storytellers and makers. Reading fires up young minds, and we’re thrilled to provide a fun, engaging environment for children to explore new ideas and perspectives through books and creative activities over the summer holidays. We are delighted to be working with Blue Peter to encourage even more children to take part this year.”

Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency

“This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to bring creativity to young people across the country. People need to create, and everyone deserves access to the life-enhancing power of the creative arts. ‘Marvellous Makers’ brilliantly combines the joy of reading and the wonder of creativity, providing young people with new opportunities to express themselves. We couldn’t be more excited to be part of it.” 

Nicky Goulder, Founding CEO of Create

Blue Peter will also be encouraging primary school children across the UK to join this year’s Summer Reading challenge on CBBC and iPlayer with creative activities and features from the Blue Peter Book Club. 

The Summer Reading Challenge launches on 22 June in Scotland and online and 6 July in England and Wales.