The annual event has had successful participation in this reading activity during the summer months for many years and anticipates a continued increase in participation.
Organised and led by Live Life Aberdeenshire’s Library team, this year’s event will launch on Thursday, 13 June.
In preparation for Summer Reading, staff have been visiting local schools and communities to promote this annual event.
This year’s summer reading theme is Fantasy Fiction to coincide with the bicentenary celebration of George MacDonald in 2024. MacDonald, born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, is often called the ‘Forgotten Father’ of fantasy fiction and influenced well-known authors such as CS Lewis and Tolkien.
We are also asking members of the public to take part in a Creative competition to create a short fantasy fiction story of around 500 – 700 words. There is also the opportunity to submit an illustration of a fantasy character.
Cllr Anne Stirling, chair of the council’s Communities Committee, said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Live Life Aberdeenshire Library Service for their dedication and hard work in organising this event. Their visits to local schools and communities have been valuable in promoting summer reading and ensuring its continued success”.
Cllr Sarah Brown, vice chair of the council’s Communities Committee, said: "The creative competition is a wonderful opportunity for our residents to showcase their imagination and storytelling skills. Writing a short fantasy fiction story or creating an illustration allows children to express their creativity and contribute to the culture in our community."
Jane Brebner, Support Librarian, said, “There are several ways to get involved in Summer Reading from browsing the shelves at your local library, or checking out the Digital Library where eBooks and eAudiobooks can be downloaded, read, listened to, or shared with your family.”
Go to our dedicated Summer Reading 2024 webpage for all the information you need, including how to register and download a collector’s card, when Summer Reading launches on the 13th of June.
Remember there is also the opportunity to pop into your local library and register in person with local library staff. Once you have completed your collector’s card, you can return it by dropping it off at your local library or sending it by email to be then entered into our prize draw.
Prizes this year include a year’s supply of Mackie’s Ice Cream and signed Books by Authors including Anthony Horowitz, Catherine Rayner, Tom Palmer, Lari Don, Alesha Dixon, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Lindsay Littleson, Richard Coles, Lucy Foley, Michael Palin, and Fantasy Fiction Book Bundles.
Local businesses have donated other prizes such as cinema tickets to ARC Cinema, Peterhead, sauna sessions donated by Stonehaven Paddleboarding, free soft play sessions donated by MACBI, and many more that will be detailed on the Summer Reading web page and social media.
Summer Reading runs from Thursday, June 13 until Saturday, August 24.