Welcome to Leeds Libraries' newsletter for Children and Families
The Summer Reading Challenge is just around the corner, and we're really excited to share our plans for Sign-up Saturday (9th July) across all our Community Hubs and Libraries. The Challenge runs from 9th July until 17th September, children can sign up at any time over the summer holidays.
If you've not done so already, make sure you follow us on social media to get the latest news and see what we're up to. We list all our free family events here: What’s On in Leeds Libraries | Leeds Inspired
Sign-up Saturday - 9th July
Celebrate the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge with Leeds Libraries
The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 -11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure and prevent the summer reading ‘dip’. This year The Reading Agency have teamed up with Science Museum Group for a very special science-themed Challenge that will inspire children to use their imagination and creativity. Best of all, it's all free!
- Children will receive a starter pack and are encouraged to read up to six books with a prize for every book they read, including a medal at the end!
- Children can read any books they want, from stories to facts, comics to audio books, as well as eBooks.
- Our Libraries are all FREE – Its free to join, free to borrow books and we don’t make any charges for the late return of books.
We are delighted to launch our brand new children's library cards with designs by one of our favourite authors and illustrators Nick Sharratt, which match our super Story Buses. Your child can choose their favourite design when signing up or as a replacement.
 So, S.T.E.A.M* over to your local library for this year’s Gadgeteers Sign Up Saturday and start your Summer Reading Challenge. Borrow some brilliant books, collect your Summer Reading Challenge starter pack, and begin your science-inspired adventure. Get your scientist’s microscope ready as all the brilliant characters from this year’s challenge will be hiding amongst the bookshelves in your local library - can you find them all? We’ll also have lots of fun activities for you to enjoy.
*Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Maths
 Author Anna James at Central Library
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To mark the start of the Summer Reading Challenge, author of the popular Pages & Co. series, Anna James, will be discussing her latest book, Hetty and the Battle of the Books*. Anna will give a talk on how the book was written and share her experiences as a writer and as a children's librarian. Anna will answer questions from the audience and there will be chance to buy a signed copy of the book, as well as sign-up to the Summer Reading Challenge.
*Hetty and the Battle of the Books, published by Barrington Stoke, is in a super-readable format for readers aged 8+.
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Follow this link to book your ticket for this free family event: Sign-up Saturday with author Anna James at Leeds Central Library event tickets from TicketSource
Saturday Family Film Club:
Movies from the Bookshelves
Stories spring from the page onto the screen at our regular film club where we select best-loved books that have been adapted as movies for a family audience. On Sign-up Saturday we'll be screening a science-themed movie at Central Library, Horsforth Library and Hunslet Library. The same film will be screened at The Reginald Centre on July 16th.
We can't tell you the title of this month's movie, but prepare yourself for an adventure on the high seas that links to buccaneers and the Summer Reading Challenge theme of Gadgeteers.
To find your nearest event follow this link Saturday Family Film Club: Movies from the Bookshelves | Leeds Inspired
 Go Go Story Buses!
And, to add to the excitement of Sign-up Saturday, our spectacular Story Buses will be touring the city with the tremendous Codswallop Theatre onboard. They will be sharing stories at a selection of special stops, including Victoria Gardens, in front of Central Library, 11am-12.30pm.
Gadgeteer Book Recommendations
Follow this link to explore this year's official Summer Reading Challenge book collection: Gadgeteers Book Collection
Our librarians have chosen 3 titles from the collection that got us all revved about reading for pleasure!
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Younger Readers
The young inventor embarks on another outing, this time taking part in a competition to construct a new contraption. However, Izzy’s make-do-and-mend approach is very different to her fellow contestants’.
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Junior Fiction
From the author of the popular Uncommoners series comes this fantasy fusion of computer gaming and time travel – ideal for fans of science and adventure!
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Junior Non-Fiction
Encourage your kids to reach for the stars with this inspiring exploration of the night sky. Anyone with a view of the sky and a curious mind can be the next great Universe explorer!
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Our libraries are full of brilliant and exciting children’s books, browse our full collection via our catalogue or library app. Discover our children’s eBooks and eAudio books on Borrowbox, and we also have a huge collection of comics and graphic novels.
Promote the Summer Reading Challenge at your school
We've put together lots of ways you can promote the Summer Reading Challenge in school Summer Reading Challenge - Gadgeteers at Leeds Libraries | Leeds for Learning.
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