Manchester's libraries are encouraging kids to get reading this summer, with Olympic-themed medals among the prizes on offer for completing the Summer Reading Challenge.
Children aged 4 -11 are challenged to read six books over the summer holidays, with rewards on offer as milestones are hit along the way.
Children can sign up to the challenge at their local library from Monday 2 July.
The theme for this summer's challenge is Story Lab. The Story Lab is the HQ for four fictional kids, Lex, Evie, Rani and Will, who are on the search for lost books. As children read books over the summer, they collect stickers and other prizes, while helping the Story Lab characters to complete their quest.
In recognition of the London Olympic Games, children who read two books this summer are rewarded with a bronze coin. A 'silver' mirror is earned for reaching four books and a 'gold' medal will handed to children who successfully complete the challenge by reading six books.
Children who sign up in the first week of the challenge will also get the chance to win tickets for the Great Britain v USA women's basketball game, at the Manchester Arena on Wednesday 18 July.
Executive member for leisure and culture, Councillor Rosa Battle, said: "Children can gain a huge amount of enjoyment from reading for pleasure and it can also help them to improve their results at school. The Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic way to keep kids reading through the summer holidays.
"With a great range of fiction on offer in our libraries, this challenge provides a great opportunity for children to discover a book that really fires their love of reading."
The challenge will be launched at the Manchester Children's Book Festival, at Geoffrey Manton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, on Saturday 30 June, as part of a free day of activities.
The free Family Fun Day, which runs from 10am - 4pm, features a storytelling tent, a performance of the play Monkey King: Journey to the West, interactive arts and crafts zones and exhibitions.
Children's author Curtis Jobling, a supporter of the Summer Reading Challenge who will be appearing at the Family Fun Day, said: 'I'd like to wish you the very best of luck with the Summer Reading Challenge! We didn't have these when I was a kid, although you'd find me at my local library during my summer holidays, snaffling whatever fine reads I could find.'
More than 100 activities are on offer in Manchester's libraries and parks to support the Summer Reading Challenge, including the chance to meet author Tom Palmer for Football Frenzy activity, get experimenting with the Science Boffins, or for kids to exercise their minds with books and crafts.
For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit http://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/.