SUMMER KIDZ 2026: This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will be music to children’s ears

Youngsters across Derbyshire are being encouraged to sign up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.

All Derbyshire County Council libraries will be taking part in the annual Summer Reading Challenge which starts on Saturday 4th July 2026.

This year’s theme is Read to the Beat, delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with libraries and supported by Universal Music Group UK.

The challenge is free to join and is designed to ensure that primary school children’s reading skills are kept sharp over the summer, as well as providing much-needed entertainment.

Children can sign up at their local library, with the challenge being to read six or more library books over the summer. Youngsters will collect up to six stickers and once they have collected them all they will have completed the challenge and receive a medal and certificate.

Councillor Carol Wood, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Keeping children’s reading levels up during the long summer holiday is really important, and the Summer Reading Challenge is a great way to help children stay motivated.

“It also opens the door to everything our libraries can offer, with fun and engaging activities planned throughout the summer.

Councillor Wood added: “2026 is the National Year of Reading so it’s especially fitting that we’re supporting children to read on their own and develop a love of books. Reading brings lasting benefits for both their personal growth and their earning outcomes.”

This year’s official book collection includes books about musicians, sound science, characters discovering music and storytelling through sound.

Derbyshire libraries will be hosting a variety of events and activities to entertain children over the summer holidays with many linked to the reading challenge. People who are interested in taking part can find events listed on the libraries’ Facebook page, its website or by contacting their local library for details.

Last year’s challenge saw 4,585 people signing up to the challenge in Derbyshire, with 1,700 more children joining the library so that they could take part.

During the challenge Derbyshire libraries issued 117,748 children’s books and 5,819 children’s e-audio and e-books.

Over the course of the challenge Derbyshire’s libraries hosted 169 events and drop-ins, with 3,989 people taking part.

The challenge runs until Saturday 12th September 2026.