Exeter Library gets up to mischief for the Summer Reading Challenge 2018

Devon Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge 2018 is set to get off to a mischievous start this July with the ‘Mischief Makers’. The theme of this year’s challenge is inspired by the historic Beano comics, which celebrate their 80th anniversary this year.

Exeter Library celebrates the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday the 14^th of July at its city centre location with a packed programme of events.

On Saturday the 14^th, Sciencedipity will be taking up residence in the children’s library from 9 am – 12.30pm. Sciencedipity is a science-themed not for profit organisation making science fun for educators, parents and families alike. Visitors to the library will follow a recipe to make George’s marvellous medicine (a bubbling colour changing potion) which will all go into one big pot.

8-12-year-olds are invited to join poet-technologist Christopher Jelley in the creation of Exeter’s first Hydrophobic Poetry Workshop, reflecting the city’s layers of history as part Daisi’s Heritage Lottery funded Re-boot project.

The session will compile new poems, phrases and wild words which we will be laser etched into stencils with support from the FabLab Devon at Exeter Library. Through these stencils, an invisible hydrophobic organic spray will be applied onto the pavements around Exeter Library. These words will remain invisible until the rain comes at which point through the natural contrast of wet and dry pavement words will ‘magically’ appear.’

Children have free rein on the books that they choose, including picture books, novels, non-fiction, and audiobooks. If the item is borrowed from the library it counts as part of the challenge.

Challengers who complete six books will receive a medal and certificate from the Reading Agency and presented by library staff. Individual libraries will also award additional prizes, including Devon Libraries branded goodie bags and reusable drinks bottles. Adventure park tickets, free zoo entry and much more are also amongst the prizes for finishers across the county.

A whopping 761,758 children across the UK took part in last year’s challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge in Devon runs from 14 July until 7 September 2018.