Step into the Story Garden this summer with East Lothian libraries!
Celebrate stories, adventure, and the great outdoors in East Lothian Libraries this summer with the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge: Story Garden, from Saturday 21 June to Saturday 23 August.
The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge encourages children ages 4 to 11 to read for fun and happens in libraries across the country every summer.
This summer, your local library invites you to step into the magical world of Story Garden, the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge theme. With stunning artwork by illustrator Dapo Adeola, children will uncover stories that celebrate the great outdoors and the power of imagination.
Why the Summer Reading Challenge?
Research shows that only one in three children and young people now enjoy reading, a 33% drop since 2005. One in four children in the UK cannot read well by age 11.
There’s good news though! Research also shows that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success, plus has amazing benefits for mental wellbeing and self esteem.
With incentives to collect and plenty of brilliant books to enjoy, the Summer Reading Challenge is the perfect summer activity to build young readers’ skills and confidence during the summer break, and keep them on track to grow into lifelong readers.
Okay, I’m in! How do I participate?
It’s simple: children can visit any East Lothian library to sign up for the Challenge and start by taking your first book. The goal is to read any six library books over the summer. You can collect stickers along the way; every finisher receives a certificate and is entered into a prize draw.
We have lots of free and fun events in libraries over the summer holidays to help celebrate nature, the outdoors, and – of course – books! Visit our website for more information.
Celebrate Story Garden with local author Tom Nicoll
Join us at Musselburgh Library on Friday 20 June 2.30pm to 4pm to help us launch the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge. We’ll be joined by local children’s author Tom Nicoll and the Musselburgh Library Junior Gardening Club. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and receive your very own sunflower seedling to grow over the summer (while supplies last). Contact Musselburgh Library for more details.
We can’t wait to grow some stories with you this summer in East Lothian Libraries. For more information, please contact your local library.