Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Story Garden

'Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors' is the enchanting theme for the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge!

Created by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries, this year’s Challenge encourages children to explore the connection between storytelling and nature. Libraries will be transformed into immersive gardens of adventure where children’s imaginations can flourish, supported by free activities and exciting events.

Children are invited to visit their local library, discover new books and enjoy a summer filled with fun, imagination and outdoor inspiration designed to keep them curious, active and engaged with reading over the holidays. There is also a mini challenge for younger visitors with stickers to collect!

How to take part

• Pick up a special collector folder from your local library
• Read six books and collect a sticker to put in your folder for each book read. Visit the library as many times as you wish to collect your stickers.
• Children can read whatever they like - fiction, fact books, poetry, joke books, picture books, eBook and eAudiobooks all count towards completing the challenge
• When you complete the Challenge, collect your certificate and medal from the library
• You can also take part online

Your local library is a great place to pick up books to complete the challenge. Join online here.

About the Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and inspires a passion for reading outside the classroom. With the help of local libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. In 2024, the Summer Reading Challenge nearly 600,000 children and families across the UK, with over half a million children taking part through their local library service.