Do battle with dragons and Minotaurs this summer!

You’ll be a-mazed at what’s going on at your Idea Store and library this summer with the Mythical Maze, Summer Reading Challenge. Fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology, including a yeti and Minotaur, are hoping to encourage young people to read six books or more during the summer break.

Organised by The Reading Agency, the Summer Reading Challenge celebrates reading in all its forms and aims to develop a passion for reading amongst children and families. Tower Hamlets Council is supporting the initiative aimed at children aged four to eleven. Participants will be given a Mythical Maze poster when they join, and whenever they read another book and tell the Agency about it, they will receive a prize. Every child who reads six books by completing the challenge will be given a certificate and a medal.

All Idea Stores and libraries across the borough are taking part in the challenge from now until 13th September. There will be a full programme of Mythical Maze themed events throughout the summer in all Idea Stores and libraries and children can use an interactive Mythical Maze app to explore hidden surprises in the Mythical Maze poster.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “Reading is one of life’s great pleasures and the Summer Reading Challenge makes it fun and easy for children to develop a love of books and to find new authors and books to enjoy. More than 3,000 children signed up to the scheme last year and we hope even more will join this holiday.”

Cllr Shafiqul Haque, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “The challenge is all about getting children reading and developing a real passion for books and sharing that reading with families and friends.”

Volunteers from secondary schools have been recruited to help out with the challenge and provide one to one support for children.

•To find out more visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ideastore and  www.mythical-maze.org.uk.