Summer Reading Challenge

We’re so pleased that Swim, Shark, Swim! andFletcher and the Caterpillarhas been selected to be a part of this years Summer Reading Challenge ran by The Reading Agency. This challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries and funded by Arts Council England and encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays, providing lots of fun as well as helping to prevent the summer reading ‘dip’.


This year’s theme is Wild World Heroes, created in partnership with WWF and illustrated by award-winning children’s author and illustrator Heath McKenzie.


Wild World Heroes will inspire children to explore ways of helping to save the planet, with a focus on taking action for nature and tackling real-world environmental issues, from plastic pollution and deforestation to wildlife decline and nature loss. It is for these reasons that Swim, Shark, Swim! and Fletcher and the Caterpillar have been selected. Find out more about these books below.

Swim around the world with Shark as he explores ocean forests and coastal reefs, meeting Hammerheads and Great Whites, stingrays and dolphins in a search for the place he calls home.


The second book in the Wild Wanderers series written by Dom Conlon and illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou. From the leap of a hare and the gentlest breeze to a blazing star and ancient trees, Wild Wanderers is a series of poetic exploration which will inspire children across the world. Each book takes a gentle and lyrical journey through biodiversity, environment and challenges to unlock a world of wonder.


Other titles include: Leap, Hare, Leap! Blow, Wind, Blow! & Shine, Star, Shine! (October 2021)

Fletcher finds a caterpillar under a juicy green leaf. With the help of his friends, he introduces it to lots of games. But all it wants to do is munch. When Caterpillar stops munching, Fletcher is worried...but as spring turns into summer, something magical is about to happen!


Join Fletcher and his friends as they discover a shimmering surprise in this joyous seasonal story written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.


Combining emotive, lyrical storytelling with an engagement with nature, the adventures of Fletcher are inspired directly by author Julia Rawlinson’s experiences with her own children and their inquisitiveness about the

world around them. The character and book series have been widely used in educational settings as a springboard for exploration of language, illustration, storytelling, friendship and the natural world.

Here at Graffeg we have a large selection of children's books that promote engagement with the outdoors and are relevant to the Wild World Heroes theme. These include Mouse and Mole, Animal Surprises, Fletcher and the Summer Show and Blow, Wind, Blow!

The Challenge will launch in libraries in Scotland on Saturday 19 June and in libraries in England and Wales on Saturday 10 July. Will you be heading to your local library to get involved?

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