Children invited to dig into brilliant books this summer in Nottinghamshire Libraries!
· The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden is blooming in all Nottinghamshire Inspire Libraries until Sunday 7 September. For children aged 4 – 11
· Seed family workshops. Children will join sculptor Michelle Reader and poet Leanne Moden, Inspire’s 2025 Artist and Author in Residence, to draw, create and write about bizarre and fantastical plants. Growing their imagination to create a magical seed packet, recycled sculpture or story to take home.
· Seed exhibitions at Hucknall, Kirkby-in Ashfield, Mansfield Central and Sutton in Ashfield Libraries from 12 July to 7 September, inspired by Story Garden. Featuring work from pupils at local primary schools
· Design Your Dream Treehouse Competition sponsored by arcpartnership.
· Mini Challenge available for our youngest readers
· Host of activities across the county including, family theatre, creative workshops, craft activities, author events and more!
Inspire, who deliver libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council are ready for a summer of reading with the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden. Library staff and volunteers are looking forward to welcoming thousands of children into the library to take part. Over 8,000 children joined in 2024.
The Summer Reading Challenge asks 4-11 year olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer. This annual challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and is delivered in partnership with libraries across the country. This year’s challenge Story Garden celebrates nature and the great outdoors.
Taking part in the Challenge is free – children just need to head to their local Inspire library to sign up. They’ll receive a sticker booklet to explore the Story Garden, where they can track the books they read. For every book read, children will gain a sticker to add to the Story Garden scene, and there’s a medal and certificate for every child who reads six books.
Children choose the books they want to read on their Challenge; stories, fact books, joke books, audio books – all reading counts!
Peter Gaw, Inspire’s Chief Executive commented; “The Summer Reading Challenge is a great scheme to encourage to children to keep up the reading habit over the summer. We are delighted to be able to deliver it again this year from our libraries. We know from feedback we receive from children and families that the challenge can inspire and enhance a love of reading which can support children through their school years and beyond.”
How to take part at your local library
· Children sign up at the library to pick up their Story Garden sticker booklet to start their challenge.
· Borrow books and get reading! Children then choose the books they want to read, recording what they have read along the way.
· For every book read, children will collect stickers to complete their Story Garden scene.
· Every child who completes the challenge, by reading six library books, receives a medal and certificate.
Mini Challenge
For our youngest readers (aged 3 and under) there is a mini version of the challenge. Children collect stickers on a special collector card for the books they borrow. Find out more at www.inspireculture.org.uk/SummerReadingChallenge
Design Your Dream Treehouse Competition
Alongside the Story Garden challenge this year is a drawing competition, sponsored by our friends at arcpartnerhsip, who are supporting Inspire to encourage children to keep reading and get involved in library activities over the summer.
We’re asking children aged 4 – 11 to get creative and design a dream treehouse that would be perfect for the garden. Children can win a prize bundle for them and books for their school. Closing date 31 August Find out more at www.inspireculture.org.uk/designatreehouse
Dan Maher, Managing Director at Arc Partnership, said: “As a Nottinghamshire-based business working across the region, Arc Partnership is proud to work closely with Inspire to support initiatives like the Summer Reading Challenge, which provides unique benefits to the local community and opportunities across the region. The Summer Reading Challenge is an excellent initiative which, in a digital age, highlights the benefits of picking up a book and getting lost in a story. It encourages thousands of children each year to read more, develop literacy skills and have fun while doing so.
Summer Family Theatre in Nottinghamshire libraries
Mrs Armitage on Wheels presented by Scoot Theatre and Farnham Maltings Mansfield Central Library, Sunday 10 August
An interactive, energetic family show, celebrating the joy of getting outside.
When Mrs Armitage goes out for a ride with her trusty dog Breakspear, she decides her bicycle needs improvement. With a new horn, a picnic hamper…and a sail, will Mrs Armitage manage to keep her bicycle in one piece or will her crazy contraption prove too much to handle?
Adapted from Quentin Blake’s classic tale, Mrs Armitage on Wheels is an energetic show, celebrating the joy of getting outdoors and being active. Featuring live music, puppetry and physical comedy, we celebrate the power of imagination and the importance of resilience.
For children aged 3+ and their families www.inspireculture.org.uk/MrsArmitage
The Quest for Planet P presented by Knotted Hawk
Touring Inspire Libraries Saturday 12 August – Sunday 17 August
Follow Ozmo & Orbi, two brave little aliens, as they set off on an amazing journey to find the perfect planet!
When cracks start appearing and chaos hits their world, the grown-up aliens can’t agree on how to fix things. So, it’s up to Ozmo & Orbi to lead the way and find a new, perfect planet to live on. Along the way, they discover that the solution might be closer to home than they think.
A heartfelt, dynamic and inspiring story about fighting for the planet we love and showing how even the smallest voices can make a BIG impact.
This brand new, interactive dance theatre show is for children aged 4-9 & their grown-ups.
Programmed in association with The Spark Arts for Children. www.inspireculture.org.uk/QuestForPlanetP
Seed Family Workshops at 12 Inspire Libraries
Join sculptor Michelle Reader and poet Leanne Moden, Inspire’s 2025 Artist and Author in Residence, to draw, create and write about bizarre and fantastical plants. Grow your imagination to create a magical seed packet, recycled sculpture or story to take home with you!
For children aged 7+ and their families www.inspireculture.org.uk/seed-family-workshops
Family Reading Events Family Reading Events in Your Local Library | Inspire – Culture, Learning, Libraries
Create Your Own Action-Packed Comic with Allen Fatimaharan
Tuesday 5 August – Beeston and West Bridgford Libraries
Join Allen Fatimaharan, award winning illustrator of Llama Out Loud, Blanksy the Street Cat, A Dinosaur Ate My Sister and The Rapping Princess, for a fun visual storytelling and character design workshop.
For children aged 7 – 10
Snails of the Unexpected with Terrie Chilvers
Friday 8 August – Newark and Bingham Libraries
Shapeshifting snails, unexpected mini beasts, storytelling and papercraft!
Join children’s author Terrie Chilvers for a chapter reading of her book about shapeshifting snails, followed by a bug quiz, storytelling mission and papercrafts.
For children aged 5+
Free Craft Activities at Inspire Libraries Visit our website to view everything that’s on at your local library this summer.
Posted on 21 July 2025
