Mini bookworm Noah Bowpitt has scooped the top prize in Manchester’s annual Summer Reading Challenge.
Keen reader Noah, aged four, was entered into a prize draw, after successfully completing the challenge by reading six books over the school holiday period.
Noah – the youngest ever Summer Reading Challenge prize draw winner – was delighted to win a £100 toy store voucher and a copy of the Guinness World Records book.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge at Manchester’s libraries was a resounding success, with over 3,500 children taking part, an increase of around 600 from 2014.
The annual campaign, which is produced by the Reading Agency, encourages 4-11 year olds to maintain their reading levels over the summer holidays by reading any six books and receiving free Summer Reading Challenge packs, plus incentives along the way.
The challenge saw over 120 free themed activities and crafts offered across Manchester’s libraries, bringing in nearly 3,000 children and adults.
Nearly three quarters of all the children participating completed the whole challenge and were entered into a prize draw.
Prize draw winner Noah regularly visits Northenden library with his mum Julie and his younger brother Aled.
Noah’s proud mother Julie said: “Noah has always enjoyed Storytime at the library. The staff there encouraged us to enter the Summer Reading Challenge – it’s a good idea to encourage children to read over the holidays.
Noah added that his favourite book was “Fast and Furry Racers: The Silver Serpent Cup”.
Stanley Grove Primary School, Longsight, were crowned champions of a new schools challenge for 2015. They won the prize for the school with the highest percentage of their pupils completing the Summer Reading Challenge.
The school is set to be presented with a trophy and will receive a day of poetry and workshops from acclaimed local poet Dom Berry.
More than 60 volunteers aged 13 – 24 helped to encourage children to participate and organise supporting activities in libraries citywide.
The volunteers contributed a combined 550 hours to make sure the challenge was as popular as possible with local children.
Volunteer Kaisa Ihenacho, who attends Trinity Church of England High School, Hulme, earned the praise of staff for her efforts at Didsbury Library, which included signing children up to the challenge and setting up arts and crafts activities at the library.
Kaisa, 13, said: “It was an interesting experience working at the library. Meeting different personalities has definitely improved my confidence and social skills.
“It was fun to inspire children to read more and I’m already looking forward to being able to volunteer again next year.”
