Turn up the volume on reading this summer!
This summer, Buckinghamshire Libraries and The Reading Agency invite children to discover the joy of reading through Read to the Beat! — the music-themed Summer Reading Challenge 2026.
Celebrating music & sound –exploring how music and storytelling unite. This year children can personalise their challenge by selecting up to six reading goals. They'll collect stickers for each goal reached, with a medal and certificate for everyone who completes six goals.
As part of the National Year of Reading, libraries are encouraging families to make reading part of their summer adventures. Children can sign up at the library or online, set their reading goals, and enjoy rewards along the way
The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries across the country. The 2026 Challenge is powered by Universal Music UK.
How to take part
- Sign up for FREE at the library with your child’s library card – join the Challenge anytime from Saturday 4 July
- Get your FREE starter pack - the pack contains a sticker booklet and Storytime magazine
- Start reading! You're in charge - choose what you love to read and select your reading goals
- Collect rewards - pick up stickers and character cards for every book you read.
- Become a Challenge Completer - Complete six books or reading goals to claim your medal and certificate.
Library staff and volunteers are on hand to chat to children about books they have read. It’s all free, fun and a great opportunity for children aged 4 and over, to find the books they love. They choose what they want to read.
Mini challenge
The Mini Challenge is a bite sized version of the Summer Reading Challenge for our youngest readers. Children collect stickers on a special collector card for the books they borrow and read.
For children aged 3 and under.
How does the mini challenge work?
- Sign up at your local library for free and choose any books your child likes
- Read and share the stories together
- Collect a sticker for each book to fill up the collector card
- Complete the mini challenge and earn a special gold sticker
Taking part online
Children can also take part online for digital rewards.
- Sign up for a website profile direct at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk (children will be asked to provide a parent/carer email address to approve sign up)
- Set a personal reading goal for the summer
- Record the books read onto an online profile and leave reviews to unlock digital badges and online rewards
- Children will unlock a certificate to download when they reach their goal
- There is help and guidance available to support signing up to the online challenge from The Reading Agency
Please note the in-person and online Challenges are separate. Physical incentives such as the sticker booklet, stickers and medals are only available via the library for those taking part in-person.
What to read
Children can read any books they like on the Summer Reading Challenge; stories, fact books, poetry, jokes, graphic novels, magazines… really anything!
There are also lots of ebooks and audio books that can be borrowed from the library online to help complete the Challenge too.
The Summer Reading Challenge can help children discover a love for reading. Being able to choose the books they want to read and by being encouraged to give an honest opinion about what they have read can help children find out what books suit them.
Children who take part:
- are more enthusiastic about reading
- maintain their reading level over the holidays
- return to schools keen and ready to learn
- boost their confidence and self-esteem
Join in the fun at your local library
Visit a library this summer and find lots of activities and events for children.
View our upcoming library event listings.
Volunteering opportunities for young people 14+
Spread the joy of reading!
Become a Summer Reading Challenge volunteer. We are looking for young people aged 14 to 25 to support the Summer Reading Challenge in Buckinghamshire Libraries.
Opportunities may include:
- Helping to run activities for children and families
- Handing out prizes and signing up new challengers
- Talking to children about the books they’ve read
Contact your local library today to ask about volunteering opportunities for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
