The Kwinana Library is encouraging young residents to get involved in the Premier’s Summer Reading Challenge in the coming school holidays. Running from 1 December, 2011 until 1 February, 2012 the challenge is open to children from Kindergarten to Year 7.
The reading program aims to provide a fun and interesting way to develop reading and literacy skills in children while at the same time serving to prepare them for the new school year.
The younger participants are challenged to read for ten hours over the duration of the event, which equates to fewer than ten minutes each day, with the older children from Years 4 to 7 challenged to fifteen hours of reading; fewer than fifteen minutes per day.
Children can register and track their reading progress online, or they can head down to the Kwinana library and pick up a reading log. Stickers and prizes will also be available at the library.
An online blog can be found on the website where children are able leave comments for the lovable mascot, Bosko, and submit pictures, poems and book reviews. A selection of these will then be published online.
All children who complete the Challenge will receive a certificate from the Premier.
All successful participants will also be entered into the draw for a chance to win great prizes including a family holiday to explore Western Australia, valued at $6000 from QBE Insurance, books from Fremantle Press and merchandise from Disney's The Muppets.
This year the children will have the option to include a sponsorship element into their challenge. All funds collected will be donated to The Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA and will remain within Western Australia to provide much needed support for people living with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological disorders.
Children not raising money are also encouraged to take part in the Challenge.
For more information and to register online, visit www.det.wa.edu.au/readingchallenge