North-east library staff are hoping to inspire bookworms of all ages to keep up their reading over the summer months.
Aberdeenshire Council launched its month-long event yesterday, with the focus on encouraging people to use their coronavirus-prompted ‘staycation’ to read.
Last year, more than 4,000 children across the area took part in the challenge which also aims at getting youngsters and families active during the school holidays.
Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA), the council’s organisation set up to run its leisure facilities, will challenge participants to do more at home, in their garden or in their local area – including camping, exercising and creative activities.
Children’s writer David MacPhail took part in the launch of this year’s Aberdeenshire event, leading three short author sessions throughout the day.
The author of the best-selling Thorfinn The Nicest Viking series shared tips on how to draw his characters.
Meanwhile in Aberdeen, preparations are underway for the council’s own summer reading challenge, starting on Saturday.
Library staff have devised nine reading-related tasks, touching upon topics such as places and creativity.
Those who takes part in the Aberdeen Reads Challenge will be entered into a prize draw, with an additional chance of winning for people who complete three or more of the tasks.
Challenges and activities for city participants will be shared at
aberdeencity.gov.uk/aberdeenreads
and on social media between June 27 and August 29.
In Aberdeenshire, the event runs until August 22 and more information can be found at
bit.ly/LLAhome
.