Twenty-five students signed up at the launch of the Great Lakes Library Service Summer Reading Challenge at Tea Gardens Library on Wednesday.

The reading challenge is used to promote reading over the summer months.

“The whole idea is to keep them reading over the holidays so when they go back to school they are at the same reading level,” Tea Gardens Library officer Carol Johnson said.

This year’s challenge was officially opened by library committee member councillor Carol McCaskie.

“The reading club is absolutely critical, it provides pleasure for the children and introduces them to the library in a fun way,” Cr McCaskie said.

“Tea Gardens Library is also very child friendly.”

Superheros Read is the theme behind this year’s challenge which invites children to read 10 books over the summer months.

As the children read their books there are incentives to keep them reading.

When they read three, then six and finally ten books the children are given a sticker, bookmark and a gel wristband as incentive.

At the completion of the 10 books the children’s names are entered into a draw at the library to win prizes donated by sponsors.

“The prizes really encourage the child to read,” Mrs Johnson said.

The sponsors who have provided the backpacks, books and vouchers for the draw include Tea Gardens Post Office, Myall Quays Newsagency, Miessence, BT’s for Fashion, Tea Gardens Ice Cream Shack, John Reed Books, Century 21 Coastal Properties and Hawks Nest Newsagency and Convenience Store.

This is the fourth year the library has run the challenge with around 75 children in Tea Gardens signing up last year.

A lot of holiday makers also enjoy the services the library has to offer, taking their children along to complete the challenge as well.

Over the holiday period the library will be running activities for the children to get them in the Superheros Read theme.

A classic superheros activity day followed by a community superheros activity day will be held at the library over the school holidays.

For more information visit the Tea Gardens Library.