The Reading Agency is delighted to announce the theme for the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge: Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors. This exciting new theme will inspire children to tap into a world of imagination through reading, exploring the magical connection between storytelling and nature.
The annual Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries across the UK, and it’s free for children to take part. Throughout the summer, children joining ‘Story Garden’ can discover new books, participate in free activities at their local library, and explore the link between reading and the great outdoors, where nature and imagination come together.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge features artwork from award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, whose stunning illustrations will bring the Story Garden theme to life; creating an enchanting world where children can find magical creatures, plants and flowers to inspire their next reading adventure.
Recent research shows that children’s enjoyment and engagement in reading is in decline, despite research from the OECD showing that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more important than either parents’ educational background or household income. The Summer Reading Challenge supports children to get excited about reading throughout the summer, helping to maintain their reading at a time when engagement can often dip.
The impact of the Challenge is clear:
- 95% of participants continue reading at least once a week after taking part
- 70% report increased reading confidence
“The Summer Reading Challenge continues to be a bright light in what has recently been an uncertain picture of children’s reading. Story Garden will create magical spaces where children can explore and be curious, combining the joy of reading with the proven wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature. Libraries will be hosting inspiring events and activities where nature and wildlife will take children on adventures and plants inspire their next story. We’re particularly excited to be working with Dapo Adeola, whose wonderful illustrations will help bring these adventures to life.”
– Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency
“I love going to the different libraries in [my city] to see what they’re all like and meet the librarians, they’re all so helpful and friendly.”
– One of last year’s participating children
Reaching close to 600,000 children in 2024, the Challenge helped start over 100,000 new library memberships and contributed to 13.3 million books being read and logged over the summer. Since its inception in 1999, the Summer Reading Challenge has helped start 15 million reading journeys, making it a vital cornerstone in the children’s reading ecosystem.
The Reading Agency is pleased to announce the first partners to come on board for 2025: Explore Learning will be supporting the Library Zone on The Summer Reading Challenge website and working with the charity to support learners across the UK.
The Reading Agency was delighted to collaborate with RNIB on the creation of the characters this year. Children and young people with vision impairment can find a huge range of books in accessible formats such as braille, large print and audio at The Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) library. Schools and educators can sign up for RNIB’s Bookshare service which has thousands of online books and resources linked to school, college and university courses at rnibbookshare.org, where they can also find a hub of resources that can be used with the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI).
The Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge launches on Saturday 21 June 2025 in Scotland and online, and on Saturday 5 July 2025 in England and Wales. Children can sign up at their local library to join the adventure and discover the magical world where stories grow.
The Reading Agency works in partnership with libraries across Wales to deliver the Summer Reading Challenge, with support from the Welsh Government and the Books Council of Wales. Celebrations in Wales kick off on the 8th July in the following locations:
Blaenau Ffestiniog Library (Gwynedd) – Author Bethan Gwanas presenting her Cadi series of books for children to Ysgol Maenofferen.
Bethan Gwanas has published over 50 books for children, young people, first-language Welsh speakers and learners. She was the recipient of the Mary Vaughan Jones Prize in 2024 for her contribution to the world of children’s books. Come along to listen to the adventures of Cadi and her little brother, Mabon.
Newtown Library (Powys) – Author Claire Fayers presenting stories on a magical theme to Ysgol Calon
Claire Fayers is an award-winning Welsh author. Her latest book, Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins was Waterstones Welsh Book of the Year and won the Readers’ Choice winner in the Tir na n-Og award. Join her on a journey around Wales, discovering the magical creatures that lurk in forest and valleys, and in our own gardens. Design your own Welsh goblin and learn how to tell stories with everyday objects. There’ll be plenty of time to ask questions, too.
Penylan Library (Cardiff) – Author Ian Brown presenting Albert the Tortoise to Roath Park Primary School.
Come and meet Ian Brown, the creator of the charming Albert the Tortoise series and other beloved children’s books. Hear Ian read from his latest books and share the adventures of Albert and his friends along with lots of fun tortoise facts, props, stickers, dinosaurs and even a replica Albert.
For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge and to find your local participating library, visit Summer Reading Challenge.