Coventry Libraries are inviting children across the city to take part in this summer's free reading challenge, combining books with music, sound and storytelling.

Read to the Beat | Coventry Libraries Summer Reading Challenge 2026

• Date: Starts Saturday 4 July 2026, running throughout the summer holidays
• Location: All Coventry Libraries
• Suitable for: Children aged 4-11 (a Mini Challenge is also available for under 4s)
• Price: Free
• Booking: No booking needed, just visit your local library to sign up
• Website: coventry.gov.uk/src

This year's theme, Read to the Beat, celebrates music, sound, poetry and storytelling, encouraging children to explore their creativity and self-expression through books and playful activities inspired by rhythm and sound.

From Saturday 4 July, children can visit any Coventry Library to collect a free Summer Reading Challenge booklet and begin gathering stickers as they read. They can return twice more over the summer to collect additional stickers and track their progress, with a challenge that's designed to be inclusive, so children don't need to be confident readers to take part. Parents and carers can share books with younger children, including those aged 4 and under, to help them join in and collect stickers too.

Libraries stock a wide range of books to suit different interests and abilities, from picture books and early readers to comic-style titles and books on hobbies such as sport and crafts. Children who complete the challenge will receive a certificate, medal and small reward, and will also be entered into a library prize draw.

As part of the challenge, children are also invited to get creative by writing their own poem or rap to send to their local library, with inspiration on offer from Coventry's Young Poet Laureate, Diamond Kayode-Osunlana, and libraries will be running a range of themed activities and events throughout the summer.

Click here to find out more and see the full programme of events at your local library.