Essex Libraries’ popular Winter Reading Challenge returns for another year later this month.
Around 5,000 children took part last year and it is hoped this year will attract even more participants.
The Winter Reading Challenge is being led by Essex Library Service, in partnership with Penguin books and the Essex Year of Reading.
This year’s challenge will see children and young people tasked with completing challenges in an interactive booklet to help Lyra the penguin find out how others celebrate winter.
There are prizes for all that finish the challenge, as well as a special prize to those that finish early.
Running from Saturday 26 November to Saturday 28 January, the challenge aims to encourage a love of reading and support literacy skills.
One of this year's challenges is to write a book review and children are also being encouraged to enter their reviews into the latest Essex Year of Reading competition. A selection of entries will be included in a new Essex Year of Reading book which will be published next year to create a legacy of the campaign.
You can sign up to the challenge by visiting any of Essex's 74 libraries.
You can also visit the two mobile libraries or book a visit from the outreach van to your school or community.
Essex Libraries recently launched ‘Warm Welcomes’, offering even more opportunities for residents this winter. Find out what is available.