Young people invited to join reading challenge
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Children across the Wakefield district are being invited to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors.
From Saturday 5 July and throughout the summer holidays, children can sign up free at any district library. They can borrow books, attend events, and collect free incentives and rewards.
“Our libraries are once again offering everyone a summer of free family fun. I’d encourage all families to get down to their local library and get involved. It's free to join and you don’t need ID.
“Children can immerse themselves in a world of imagination through reading, exploring the magical connection between storytelling and nature. Not only will it support your child’s reading attainment, but it also gives them positive, fun activities through the summer holidays.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
Continuing with the theme of nature - Unearthed: The Power of Gardening - is a free display at Wakefield Library, open now until Friday 20 June 2025.
Visitors can explore the enriching power of gardening.
From windowsills to allotments, the display explores how the act of gardening can heal and sustain people in a multitude of ways. It reveals how gardening can bring people together, empower communities and shape our relationship with the natural world. It also considers gardening as a form of activism, as a means of challenging landownership and highlighting social disparities, as well as providing a global story about the movement of plants.
The display is inspired by the British Library’s major exhibition (2 May - 10 August 2025). Wakefield Libraries are one of 30 library services celebrating gardening through the UK-wide Living Knowledge Network.
The exhibition will move onto Pontefract Library from Friday 27 June – Friday 8 August 2025. Find out more at https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/unearthed-the-power-of-gardening/
The Living Knowledge Network is a unique partnership between public and national libraries in the UK created by the British Library, streaming free events, exhibitions and workshops from libraries across the UK through LKN-events.co.uk.
For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit
To find out more about your local library, see https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/libraries-and-local-history/your-local-library