Silly Squad Summer Reading Challenge

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Silly Squad Summer Reading Challenge

1 July-2 September 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Poet and performer Dommy B (Dominic Berry)
Poet and performer Dommy B.
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Unfortunately this year’s Readathon (which was due to take place in June) has been postponed until 2021, but fear not, for the Silly Squad Summer Reading Challenge launches on 1 July! Aimed at four to 11 year olds (but open to any age), the biggest annual reading promotion for children is going digital for the first time ever this year, celebrating funny books, having a laugh and all sorts of silliness to inspire you to read. Manchester Libraries – partnered with Read Manchester and The Reading Agency – invite you to join the Silly Squad, a crew of fun-loving animals who enjoy exploring lots of different types of side-splitting books, with loads of free activities available via Facebook from 11am every day for nine weeks.

Grab an eBook or eAudiobook from BorrowBox (details via the link), or pick up a book you already have at home, and start reading. You can sign up to the Challenge online now, but pop 1 July on your calendar as that’s when award-winning children’s author and illustrator Nick Sharratt launches the fantastic daily programme of online events, stories and craft activities with guest authors, poets and artists.

On Tuesdays, not-to-be-missed poetry sessions that will leave you in stitches and hopefully inspire you to have a go at funny poetry yourself!

Every Monday, join artists Mandy Cleveland and Simone Frater-Russell as they show you some Silly Squad-themed crafts you can make with things you’ll have at home. On Tuesdays, get your weekly dose of award-winning poet and entertainer Dommy B, with not-to-be-missed poetry sessions that will leave you in stitches and hopefully inspire you to have a go at funny poetry yourself! Wednesdays see the “incredible” Nick Sharratt leading the weekly Draw Along mini-masterclasses and Thursdays brings Pick & Mix: a selection of guest storytellers from the world of children’s books and libraries, including Donavan Christopher, Sophia Hatfield, Tom Palmer, Robin Simpson, Steve Smallman and Kristina Stephenson. On Fridays, mayhem-loving Angela and Siobhan from the Archives+ team bring each week to a close, encouraging some silly and simple craft and story ideas.

See the link for up-to-date information about the Silly Squad activity programme. Check out Read Manchester’s new Facebook page for more activities, resources and competitions, and don’t forget to sign up for the brand-new Children & Families Newsletter via the Manchester Libraries blog – it’s jam-packed with great ideas to keep the family entertained and informed from home. With lots of links from online storytimes to musical events for children, Lego challenges to book clubs, it’s all available direct to your inbox.

Where to go near Silly Squad Summer Reading Challenge

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

Leeds Beckett SU
Leeds
Restaurant
Leeds Beckett Student Union

Leeds Beckett Student Union hosts big-name artists and supports students through events, live music, and a vibrant campus venue.

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There's ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and entertainment facilities, making for a great evening out!

Watch the latest film releases and enjoy the industry-leading Sony 4K Digital screens, boasting spectacular picture quality, along with enhanced audio quality courtesy of Dolby 'Profound Sound'. Stepped SuperVue seating means you will never miss a second of the action while VIP seating guarantees you an extra touch of luxury whenever you want to upgrade.

Three of the nine screens showcase the newest 3D releases while Vue Classical brings the latest stage sensations to the big screen, and parents can save as they go with Family Tickets and Kids AM screenings offering great value for money.
Leeds
Cinema
Vue Cinema – Leeds Kirkstall Road

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There’s ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and

Restaurant 2
Leeds
Café or Coffee Shop
Empire Café

Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street!

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Phranakhon

Phranakhon Thai Tapas is a revolutionised Thai dining restaurant with a combination of European indulgence and authentic Thai tastes.

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Wen’s

Wen’s is a family owned Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic, home cooked cuisine.

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