Roald Dahl still a great hit with children

Children across Leicestershire are still opting to read classic books written more than half a century ago by Roald Dahl, one of the world’s most famous children’s authors ever.  He is the fourth most borrowed author for children aged 9-11 years in Leicestershire.

Children in the county were busy reading over the summer and taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge which aimed to encourage children to read at least six books whilst on their school holidays.  Below are the top 10 Dahl books children borrowed from Leicestershire County Council’s Libraries Service last month in August:

1. The BFG
2. The enormous crocodile
3. Fantastic Mr Fox
4. Matilda
5. James and the giant peach
6. Charlie and the chocolate factory
7. Danny the champion of the world
8. The giraffe and the pelly and me
9. Esio trot
10. Charlie and the great glass elevator

The Summer Reading Challenge finished on Sat(10^th) and early indications are that over 14,000 children – more than ever before, took part in the challenge this year.  Over 1,400 children joined their local library in Leicestershire especially to take part in the challenge.

It’s Roald Dahl Day on Tuesday 13th Sept in honour of his birthday.

Coalville and Oadby Libraries are putting up a special display based on ‘James and the Giant Peach’ and children visiting the libraries next Tuesday, can join in with activities such as quizzes, a wordsearch and character card making based on the famous book.

Juggling with Words

Clown around with words and rhymes at a writing workshop with writer and educator Alison Mott.

Loughborough Library. Wednesday 17th August -  2pm – 4pm

Book your place through the library

www.leics.gov.uk/loughborough_library

Roll up to read with Circus Stars in Charnwood

Kids can sample circus life for free at local libraries and sign up to a fun scheme that will keep them learning this summer.

Over 10,000 children across Leicestershire have already signed up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Circus Stars – which encourages continued reading, learning and fun during school holidays.

In August there are also special circus skills workshops at libraries in the Charnwood area, where children can have a go at spinning plates, juggling and other circus activities.

These free morning workshops take place at Shepshed Library on Tuesday August 9th, at Birstall Library on Tuesday 16th August and at Loughborough Library on Monday 22nd August. Pre-booking is essential for all the workshops, so please call the relevant library to reserve a place.

For more details go to www.leics.gov.uk/circusstars

Roll up to read with Circus Stars in Harborough

Kids can sample circus life for free at local libraries and sign up to a fun scheme that will keep them learning this summer.

 

Over 9,000 children across Leicestershire have already signed up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Circus Stars 

 

In August there are special circus skills workshops at libraries in the Harborough area, where children can have a go at spinning plates, juggling and other circus activities.

 

These free workshops take place at Harborough Library on Friday August 5th in the afternoon and Lutterworth Library on Thursday 18th August from 2pm until 4pm. Pre-booking is essential.

 

There are also fun circus-based events at other libraries in the area. At Great Glen Library there is a Wriggly Reader session for under 5s on Thursday 4th August between 10.30 and 11am, and on Tuesday 9th August there is an activities afternoon entitled All The Fun Of The Circus for children and families. Both events are free.

 

There are also further All The Fun Of The Circus events at Market Harborough Library on Saturday 20th August between 11am and 3.30pm and again on Saturday 27th August, also between 11am and 3.30pm. For more information call Harborough Library on 0116 3053627.

 

Away from the circus, Lutterworth Library will be holding a Creative Writing workshop for children aged between 5 and 11 years led by an author. This event is also free but spaces are limited, so please contact the library on 0116 3053619 to book a place.

80th birthday for Resource Box

England’s longest running museum loan collection, the Resource Box in Leicestershire, is celebrating its 80th birthday this year, and a special display will be stopping off in Melton Library for the next few weeks for local people to come and view.

 

The full collection is one of Leicestershire County Council’s best-loved museum services, and lends a vast range of museum objects to schools, colleges and community groups, enabling anyone to get up close and personal with history and heritage.

 

The display at Melton Library runs until Monday July 25th and is free to view for visitors.

 

Also at the library there will be regular Wriggly Readers sessions every Tuesday and Thursday  10 – 10.30am. These free sessions are for children aged up to four years of age with their parents or carers.

 

9th July also sees the start of the Summer Reading Challenge, the theme of which for this year is Circus Stars.

Roll-up to your library and become a Circus Star!

Roll-up, roll-up and join in with the fun of the Circus at your local library and museum.  Leicestershire County Council’s libraries and museums have joined forces this year to bring Circus fun to children whilst encouraging them to read over the summer holidays.  From circus skills and creative writing workshops to a fantastic circus show, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

 

The Summer Reading Challenge is the biggest national reading initiative and is coordinated by The Reading Agency. Last year around 13,741 children aged 4-12 years took part in the reading challenge in Leicestershire with more than 10,000 (75%) of them completing the challenge, the national completion rate is 57%.

 

This year it is being run in all libraries and mobile libraries in Leicestershire throughout the summer holidays, with incentives, activities and events designed to create a real buzz around children’s reading.  The challenge is simple – to read six or more library books over the summer.  It starts on Saturday 9^th July and finishes on Saturday 10^th September.  Children receive a free membership card and pop-up stage and as they read books throughout the summer they will collect characters to add to the stage.  All children completing the challenge will receive a Circus Stars certificate and reward.

Some of the highlights of the Summer Reading Challenge in Leicestershire include:

 

• Free creative writing workshops including family drop-in sessions at various libraries and museums on various days throughout the summer holidays.

 

• A circus skills extravaganza on Thursday 28^th July at Snibston Discovery Museum where visitors can try their hand at juggling, plate spinning and other circus skills. Drop in event – some activities are free, others require paid entry to the museum.

 

• A free family show on Thursday 18^th August at Snibston’s Century Theatre in Coalville featuring writer and entertainer, Nick Toczek and his wonderful one-man show including jokes, snappy poems, baffling magic tricks, fantastic tales, and wild and wilful puppets.  Tickets available from any county library.

• Free Circus Skills workshop in ten libraries throughout August.

Children who sign up to Circus Stars can get free entry to Snibston Discovery Museum and Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre when accompanied by a full paying adult.

 

Pre-booking is required for some events.  To find out more ask at your local library or museum or visit: www.leics.gov.uk/circusstars for a whole list of these and other events taking place.