Read books to solve mystery

Libraries across Kent, including Ashford Gateway, are encouraging children to read by solving a mystery.

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Animal Agent, is for children aged four to 11. They must read at least six books – of any type and by any author – to collect special stickers.

These have artwork by Tony Ross, the illustrator and author of children’s picture books, including I Don’t Want To Go To Bed, I Want Dinner and I Want A Sister and who also illustrated the Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon.

Some of the stickers have scratch and sniff smells. They fit into the Animal Agents folder, and collecting them all solves the mystery. Children will then receive a certificate and a medal (while stocks last).

Lindsay Prestage, from Kent County Council’s (KCC) libraries, registration and archives service, said: “Across the country, the annual reading challenge gets three quarters of a million children into libraries. Last year nearly 18,000 Kent children got involved and we hope to beat that this year.”

It begins on Saturday and runs until Saturday, September 16.

The folders with all the information and the sticker holder can be collected from your nearest KCC library.