Children in Stoke-on-Trent are encouraged to pick up a book
every day and read more widely by taking on the Stoke 100 Reads challenge.
Primary school pupils who read every title on the
Stoke 100 Reads list can claim a special limited edition copy of Roald Dahl’s
beloved classic, The BFG and receive a certificate for their achievement. The
beautiful gift books have been donated to the Stoke Reads campaign by Penguin
Random House and retail at £20 each.
Stoke Reads was launched by the National Literacy Trust and
Stoke on Trent City Council at an event at the Potteries Centre in February.
The campaign promotes reading for pleasure and encourages parents to read with
their children every day.
Rewards are also up for grabs for children under five, who
will receive a special pop-up copy of Barry the Fish with Fingers when they
have read the first 25 books on the list. The mini challenge aims to get them
hooked on reading, so they continue the full challenge when they start primary
school.
Both books can be claimed at any of the six libraries in
Stoke on Trent, when children or their parents show their completed Stoke 100
Reads list, or this list of the first 25 books.
Stoke 100 Reads was published in 2015, after children,
schools and families nominated the books they think every child in the city
should have read when they finish primary school. The initiative ties in with
the Summer Reading Challenge, which challenges pupils to read six books over
the summer holidays and visit their local library three times.
Jason Vit, National Literacy Trust Hubs Manager said:
“National Literacy Trust research shows that while 60% of
pupils across Stoke enjoy reading, just 41% read every day outside the
classroom. By offering exciting rewards for reading, we hope the challenge will
inspire more children and families to commit to reading more widely and
frequently, which will also help to prevent learning loss over the summer
holidays.”
Councillor Janine Bridges, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
cabinet member for education and economy, said:
“This is a great challenge with some fabulous books to
enjoy. I’m a little bit jealous that I’m not discovering some of the books for
the first time myself – they’re a real treat. I encourage children and families
across the city to take up the challenge – reading is crucial for improving
literacy levels, learning, and opening your imagination to new worlds and
opportunities.”