The Reading Agency and HarperCollins working together to keep children reading this summer
Publisher HarperCollins is supporting The Reading Agency‘s drive to reach 1 million children this summer, by providing libraries delivering the Summer Reading Challenge with free and unlimited access to titles by some of their best-selling authors.
The Reading Agency’s charitable mission is to enable everyone to read their way to a better life – irrespective of age or economic background. Reading can tackle life’s big challenges, from social mobility to mental health – and The Reading Agency are determined that no one is left behind.
The Summer Reading Challenge, run by The Reading Agency and delivered nationally in partnership with public libraries, is taking place ‘in person’ again this year as well as via a digital platform. To support the libraries’ digital offering, HarperCollins will be providing them with 35 children’s titles, to loan via their e-book lending schemes for free, with no limit to the number of times the books can be loaned during July and August.
The initiative will offer the opportunity for more children to try reading digitally at a time when restrictions are still in place in many physical spaces, while helping to raise awareness of the various digital offerings available to families from libraries. Authors whose titles feature on the list include: Michael Morpurgo, Derek Landy, Hannah Gold, David Walliams, Sophy Henn, Soman Chainani and David Baddiel, amongst many others, with additional Collins Learning illustrated titles from the Big Cat series by Benjamin Zephaniah, Ellie Simmonds, John Agard, Grace Nichols and Sitoshi Kitamura.
The annual Summer Reading Challenge aims to motivate 4 – 11 year olds to read six (or more) books of their choice during the summer holidays, with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate for every child who completes the Challenge.
This year’s theme is ‘Wild World Heroes’ and was created in partnership with WWF UK to encourage children to learn about nature and take action for the environment.
Fiona Allen, Communications Director, HarperCollins said:
‘We are delighted to be once again supporting the Summer Reading Challenge with free e-books from some of the nation’s most beloved children’s writers. It’s been a tough year for everyone, and with lockdowns affecting access to books it’s hugely important we do everything we can to help kids keep reading. We’re very proud to be working with The Reading Agency to make sure children and families can enjoy reading together throughout the summer.’
Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency, said:
‘We’re thrilled to be working with HarperCollins on this e-book gifting initiative as part of the Wild World Heroes, Summer Reading Challenge. The Reading Agency’s vision is for a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life. This generous donation of e-books by HarperCollins will ensure even more children discover the joy of reading in libraries and online this summer. It’s more important than ever that we work to ensure accessibility for all – and with the support of HarperCollins we are realising this vision.’
Follow the latest developments on social media: @ReadingAgency
