Go wild about books this summer
The Vale of Glamorgan Library Service is inspiring young people
to read their way through the summer holidays and earn new trees
for the nation's woods.
The Big Wild Read is the ninth national Summer Reading
Challenge, a massive reading promotion for four to 12 year olds
that takes place in libraries throughout the summer holidays.
Youngsters are challenged to read six or more books, spurred on by
an exciting range of free incentives and activities.
And Vale libraries will be helping every step of the way.
Children's librarian Gill Southby said: "Individuals will be given
a Big Wild Read folder with stickers to collect during the summer.
The special scratch and sniff stickers have a range of pleasant and
not-so-pleasant smells. There will also be a series of Big Wild
Read events, workshops and activities taking place across Vale
libraries during the summer holidays.
"Library staff will encourage youngsters in their reading by
suggesting interesting books to try. The Big Wild Read website will
also have book suggestions and will help individuals discover more
about their favourite authors. There will be games and activities,
tips on how to make a difference, and a link with Stories from the
Web, through which youngsters can contribute book reviews."
Vale libraries will also be hosting a wide-ranging series of
summer activities for youngsters and tickets can be booked through
the appropriate library:
Activities are as follows:
A Carnival of Animals (stories and crafts with Kirsten
Sklarczyki; for ages four to seven) 13 24 July, 2-3pm (Barry); 21
August, 1-2pm (Sully)
Amazing Animal Tales (storyteller Richard Berry; for ages six to
11) 13 26 July, 10.30-11.30am (Penarth) and 2-3pm (Dinas Powys); 21
August, 11am-12 noon (Wenvoe) and 2.30-3.30pm (Barry).
Eco Arts (using items for recycling; ages six to 10) 13 26 July,
2.30-3.30pm (Barry).
Creature Crafts ("Big Wild Read" activities; ages six to 10) 13
27 July, 2.30-3.30pm (Cowbridge); 2 August, 2-3pm (Barry); 10
August, 2.30-3.30pm (Barry); 15 August, 2.30-3.30pm (Dinas Powys);
16 August, 10.30-11.30am (Rhoose); 24 August, 2-3pm (Barry and
Penarth).
Summer Fun (stories and activities; ages three to six) 13 26
July, 2.30-3.15pm (Rhoose).
Countryside Ceramics (tile painting with Splatter Ceramics
Studio; for five years and over) 13 30 July, 10.30-11.30am
(Cowbridge) and 2-3pm (Penarth); 31 July, 10-11am (Barry) and 1-2pm
(Sully); 21 August, 10-11am (Rhoose) and 2-3pm (Dinas Powys); 23
August, 10-11am (St Athan) and 2-3pm (Llantwit Major); 24 August,
10-11am (Barry).
How to be an Eco Warrior (interactive workshop with Porthkerry
Country Park ranger Mel Stewart; for six years and over) 13 31
July, 2.30-3.30pm (St Athan); 13 August, 2.30-3.30am (Barry); 15
August, 10.30-11.30am (Wenvoe).
How to be an Eco Warrior (interactive workshop with council
waste awareness officer Sam Harrison; for six years and over) 13 7
August, 10.30-11.30am (Rhoose) and 2-3pm (Dinas Powys); 8 August,
10.30-11.30am (Penarth).
Seaside Seekers (interactive workshop with Seawatch ranger
Louise Bebb; for five years and over) 13 1 August, 10.30-11.30am
(Wenvoe); 6 August 2-3pm (Barry); 13 August, 10.30-11.30am (St
Athan); 14 August, 1-2pm (Sully).
Meet the "Crowman" (interactive storytelling and craft workshop
with David Pitt; aged six to 11) 13 7 and 9 August,10.30am-12 noon
(Barry).
Animal Roadshow ("Big Wild Read" with animals from Zoolabs; aged
five and over) 13 9 August, 9.15-10.15am (Rhoose), 11am-12 noon
(Llantwit Major), 1-2pm (Penarth) and 3-4pm (Cowbridge); 16 August,
9.30-10.15am, 10.30-11.15am, 11.30am-12.15pm, 1.15-2pm and 2.15-3pm
(all Barry).
Go Wild with Leonie (music and dance storytime with Leonie Hain;
for three to six years) 13 15 August, 10.30-11.30am (Penarth) and
2-3pm (Llantwit Major); 30 August, 2-3pm (Barry).
Hunting out Herbs (visit the Physic Garden; five years and over
to be accompanied by an adult) 13 17 August, 11am-12 noon
(Cowbridge).
Animal Antics (drawing animals with cartoonist Chris Lloyd; aged
seven and over) 13 20 August, 2-3pm (Barry); 21 August,
10.30-11.30am (Penarth); 23 August, 2-3pm (Dinas Powys).
Contact numbers for the libraries are: Barry 13 (01446) 422425;
Penarth 13 029 2070 8438; Dinas Powys 13 029 2051 2556; Cowbridge
13 (01446) 773941; Rhoose 13 (01446) 710220; Sully 13 029 2053
1267; St Athan 13 (01446) 751497; Wenvoe 13 029 2059 4176.