1 - Ade Rollinson lays down the gauntlet

 

Ade, a road crew worker for Dudley Council is best known for competing in strongman competitions around the world but will be at Dudley Library this Saturday to talk to children about how books opened up new opportunities for him and gave him a role in the 2007 film the Golden Compass, Hollywood’s adaptation of author Philip Pullman’s novel.

 

Ade will be at the library from 10.30am to launch the 10^th annual Summer Reading Challenge which this year sets children the challenge to read sporting books during the school holidays to celebrate the theme, Team Read in support of the Beijing Olympics 2008.

 

The challenge for children aged four to 12 years is to improve or maintain their reading skills by reading six books by September 6.

 

Children can sign up at their nearest library and staff will also be joining children up to the challenge this Saturday at Crystal Leisure Centre and Coseley Swimming Pool. 

 

All children who cross the finishing line will receive a medal and certificate and will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win some fantastic prizes for family days out.

 

Young people aged 13 or above can this year, for the first time sign up to extreme team read.  Again the challenge is to read six books but they can also go interactive at www.teamread.co.uk.  They just need to collect a membership card from their nearest library to sign up to the website. 

 

“Last year more than 2,300 children in the borough took part with more than 1,300 children completing the challenge.  This year we hope to get more and more children reading and I would urge them to get along to their nearest library this weekend and take up the challenge.”

 

Each library will host a summer reading challenge activity every week.  To find out more or full a list of the activities contact your nearest library or go to www.dudley.gov.uk/ reading/libraries.