Nearly 1,400 children keep reading through summer thanks to Stoke-on-Trent libraries

More children across the city have kept up their reading and made use of the city’s public libraries over the summer holidays through the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge.

A total of 1,337 children signed up to the Story Quest challenge in Stoke-on-Trent, a 57 per cent increase from 2024, where 854 signed up.

Of these, 567 children completed the entire challenge, more than double the number last year — with a 148 per cent rise from 229 completions in 2024.

Additionally, thanks to Centenary funding, 30 Summer Reading Challenges were held in Stoke-on-Trent’s libraries across the summer, which were attended by 1,088 people, including 671 children.

Overall, throughout the challenge, the libraries issued 24,237 children’s book loans.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a national reading scheme delivered by public libraries to encourage children aged 4-11 to keep reading throughout the summer holidays.

This year’s theme was ‘Story Garden’, which encouraged children to keep reading, as well to explore nature and the outdoors.

Research shows that children’s reading levels can dip over the summer months. The challenge helps to maintain and develop reading skills, as well as spark a lifelong enjoyment of books.

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Reading is an amazing hobby and the benefits are huge. From developing skills and boosting creativity to wellbeing benefits, it’s important children are encouraged to read. I’m so pleased to see so many of our children getting involved in the reading challenge over the summer holidays and making use of our library facilities.

“Next year is the National Year of Reading and I’m looking forward to seeing more children continue to engage and build on their reading abilities, while enjoying a great story.”

For more information about activities for children in our libraries, click here: https://librariesonline.stoke.gov.uk/iguana/www.main.cls?surl=Redesign_ActivitiesForChildren