Summer Reading Challenge among July highlights at Bishop’s Stortford Library

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is set to spark children’s imaginations at Bishop’s Stortford Library.

The theme for 2025 is Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors.

Youngsters can dive into a world of books, join in free activities and discover the magical connection between storytelling and nature.

The challenge, in collaboration with The Reading Agency, gets under way on Saturday July 5. Kids just need to be a Hertfordshire Libraries member to sign up for free.

The opening weekend at Bishop’s Stortford Library, in The Causeway, will feature fun with VR headsets and a green screen as well as the return of the maker stations.

You can check the posters in the library for a run down of the weekly activities - which include anti-colouring, butterfly symmetry printing and caterpillar potato printing - available throughout the summer holidays.

The challenge is to read six library books over the summer and collect exclusive stickers along the way. Complete the challenge to receive a medal and certificate.

And all those who finish by September 7 will be in with a chance to win tickets to an interactive workshop with award-winning author Sean Taylor.

Go to www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/SummerReadingChallenge for all the details.

Meanwhile, the library’s free monthly Sensory Storytimes continue on Friday July 4 at 10.30am.

Take a trip for a day at the seaside and experience the sounds and textures of a visit to the beach.

Also taking place on the same day, at 11am, is Life Skills for Little Ones: Ready to Read.

The interactive workshop helps three to five-year-olds learn the motor skills needed for reading and writing through fun games and activities, perfect if your little one is off to school or nursery in September.

Tickets are £4.40 per child and can be booked in advance in the library or online.

Booster Cushion Theatre Company will be entertaining young and old alike on Saturday July 12 at 2.30pm with Red Riding Hood and Friends.

Tradition is left far behind in this fast, funny show that uses lots of slapstick and child participation. It is a fine introduction to theatre featuring a variety of fairytales.

Tickets are £5.50 per person and can be booked online or in person at the library.

For one day only, on Thursday July 31, Storytime will be moving to a new location in Castle Gardens.

Join in from 2pm to celebrate Love Parks Week for half-an-hour of bug-, nature- and maybe even some castle-themed stories.

The regular Storytimes will continue throughout the summer in the library on Thursdays and Sundays at 2pm and Fridays at 10.30am. Baby Rhyme Time is on Tuesdays at 10.15am and 11.15am. All are free, but donations are welcomed.