Libraries Summer Reading Challenge

Dig into brilliant books and wild stories with the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden.

The Summer Reading Challenge runs 5 July to 6 September 2025 in all Oxfordshire Libraries.

Step into the magical world of Story Garden. This year’s challenge celebrates the great outdoors and explores the incredible connection between storytelling and nature. 

This fun, free challenge is presented by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries. It is the perfect summer activity to build your child's reading skills and confidence during the holidays. Let your child's reading blossom this summer and grow a love for books!

How to take part in Oxfordshire Libraries

Children will need to be members of Oxfordshire Libraries. 

Join Oxfordshire Libraries today, it’s free! 

From Saturday, 5 July, children can sign up for the challenge at their nearest Oxfordshire Library. They will be given a Story Garden booklet to keep track of their reading. As they read amazing library books and visit the library to tell us about them, they collect stickers. When children complete the challenge, they receive a Story Garden certificate and medal.  This year, children who finish the challenge will also get a golden ticket to enter a prize draw to win a fabulous goodie bag. 

Read library books of your choice

Children can set their own reading goal—we recommend six books over three library visits. They can read any library book they like, including eBooks and eAudio from Oxfordshire Libraries. Check out the Story Garden book displays for fantastic reading ideas. 

Mini Challenge

From Saturday, 5 July, under 4s can sign up for a mini challenge with their own special collector's folder and stickers. Join in at your local Oxfordshire Library and complete the mini challenge to win a gold medal sticker and Story Garden certificate. This year, children who finish the mini challenge will also get a golden ticket to enter a prize draw to win a fabulous goodie bag. 

Terms & Conditions – Summer Reading Challenge Prize Draw 2025

  • Entrants are eligible for the Oxfordshire Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge Prize Draw when they complete the Challenge. This means they:
    • have an Oxfordshire Libraries card of their own and
    • have registered for Story Garden in an Oxfordshire library and
    • have received a certificate, medal and Golden Ticket.
  • Valid entries must be written on the official Golden Ticket and include a name, age and contact details.
  • Entries must be submitted to Oxfordshire Libraries by Saturday 13 September 2025.
  • The winners will be contacted by the end of October 2025.
  • Only 1 Golden Ticket per person.
  • There will be two separate prize draws with different prizes: 

0 – 3 years old can only enter the Mini Challenge Prize Draw

4+ years old can enter the Summer Reading Challenge Prize Draw

  • Winners will be selected from the prize draw at random.
  • No cash alternatives to the prizes are available.
  • The guarantor of each winner will be contacted by Oxfordshire Libraries during October 2025 and can choose to accept or decline the prize. Prize winner names will only be announced on Oxfordshire Libraries social media platforms with their guarantor’s permission.
  • Oxfordshire Libraries will only use information supplied for the purposes of administering this competition and in accordance with data protection principles.

Summer Reading Challenge website

Visit The Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge website. It is available all year for great book ideas, fun games, exciting competitions and all the latest Summer Reading Challenge news! 

If your child is up for an additional challenge or you can't visit a library, The Reading Agency's online Summer Reading Challenge runs alongside the in-library challenge. Children who join the online challenge and reach their reading goal, will unlock a Story Garden certificate to print and keep.

For help using the Summer Reading Challenge website and the online challenge, go to: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/help

For general information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit: https://readingagency.org.uk/

Events

Visit What’s On or contact your local library for family-friendly events and activities.