Summertime Reading
Get ready for a summer filled with stories, adventures, and endless imagination!
Join our Summertime Reading Challenge from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2025 and be in to win cool prizes.
You can complete the challenges in so many different ways - from writing a letter to a friend, to reading by torchlight, and so many more!
Find exciting reads, eBooks, audiobooks and magazines at our libraries to help you on your quest - Join today!
How to enter
It's super easy! Just follow these simple steps:
- Grab your challenge card: Pick one up at your local library or download a copy
- Complete at least three challenges
- Submit your entry: Drop your challenge card into your local library or enter online.
Prizes
The prizes include:
- $300 bike voucher
- Vouchers from Scorpio Books
- Orana Park family passes
- Airforce Museum experience vouchers
- Pool passes
- and small prize bundles
Events
There will be plenty of free, fun Summertime Reading events running over the summer. Join us as we bring the magic of reading and storytelling to cool places like parks, pools, playgrounds, and your local library. Plus, keep an eye out for our library van - it might just pop up at your favourite hangouts.
Make sure you come along and join in on the fun!
Stories come to life at the library. Nau mai tauti mai.
Featured events
Events
Elves on the ShelvesElves on the Shelves, part of a seriesSeries
My Book bag: Tūranga - Summer Edition - 12-24 yearsMy Book bag: Tūranga - Summer Edition - 12-24 years, part of a seriesSeries
My Book bag: Matatiki Hornby Centre - Summer - 12-24 yearsMy Book bag: Matatiki Hornby Centre - Summer - 12-24 years, part of a seriesSeries
Summertime Pop-up Library - Travis Wetlands
Elves on the ShelvesElves on the Shelves, part of a seriesSeries
My Book bag: Tūranga - Summer Edition - 12-24 yearsMy Book bag: Tūranga - Summer Edition - 12-24 years, part of a seriesSeries
My Book bag: Matatiki Hornby Centre - Summer - 12-24 yearsMy Book bag: Matatiki Hornby Centre - Summer - 12-24 years, part of a seriesSeries
Summertime Pop-up Library - Travis Wetlands
Summertime Reading calendar
Summertime Reading events
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Dec19
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Dec19
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Dec19
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Dec20
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Dec20
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Dec20
Information for Schools
Go in the draw to win prizes for your school! Write a letter to your favourite character and illustrate your own story.
Postcard and Posters
- Download the postcard [224KB PDF]
- Download the A4 Summertime Reading poster [557KB PDF]
- Download the A3 Summertime Reading poster [595KB PDF]
About the Summertime Reading Challenge
Children aged between 0 and 18 years of age inclusive.
That is fine, the children of Council employees can still enter the competition.
No. You do not need to be a member of Christchurch City Libraries to be eligible to enter.
You can pick up a postcard from any Christchurch City Library, cut one out of the summer edition of What’s On (in libraries from 1 December 2024), download a copy, or simply fill in the online entry form for kids or adults to be in the draw!
You can enter when you have had an adult tick, sticker or stamp that you have had three reading experiences from the options listed on the challenge sheet. Once you have completed this – take your entry form to any of our libraries and hand to a staff member to be in the draw to win.
You may enter as many times as you like.
The prizes include:
- $300 bike voucher
- Vouchers from Scorpio Books
- Orana Park family passes
- Airforce Museum experience vouchers
- Pool passes
- and small prize bundles
The winners will be randomly drawn and announced on our website and Facebook page in the week following the close of the competitions.
Contact us and we can answer your questions.
The emphasis this year is on encouraging shared family experiences – your preschoolers will obviously be having these experiences alongside an adult. Have fun together as you celebrate the joy of reading!
- The Summertime Reading Challenge is open to all children and youth aged between 0 and 18 years of age inclusive.
- The competition is open between 1 December 2024 and 31 January 2025.
- Entries must be returned to any one of the Christchurch City Libraries, or submitted via online entry form by 5pm on Friday 31st January 2025.
- Prizes will be advised and will include Christchurch experiences for the family to enjoy over summer. Winners will be drawn at random and announced on our website and Facebook page in the week following the close of both competitions.
- Prize allocation is at the discretion of the Christchurch City Council. All decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Entries must have all correct contact details and at least 3 challenges stamped, stickered or ticked to be in the draw.
Best of 2024 for Kids
What your kid's teacher wishes you knew - holiday reading
Summertime Reading for kids
Booklists for Kids
Find and read a book written or illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori
Kirkus Reviews 2024 - Best Middle Grade Non-Fiction
Kirkus Reviews - Best Middle Grade Books of 2024
Find and read a book written or illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori
Kirkus Reviews 2024 - Best Middle Grade Non-Fiction
Kirkus Reviews - Best Middle Grade Books of 2024
EAudiobooks
Listen to Tom Gates - Happy to help by Liz Pichon: BorrowBox
Listen to Astrochimp by David Walliams on BorrowBox
Return to reading
Recommended for Kids
Reading Recommendations for Tamariki
Children's literary prizes and awards
Rainbow reads for tamariki - kids
Summertime Reading for teens
Booklists for Teens
Best of 2024: Young Adult
Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of 2024
Jem's fave reads of 2024
2024 SLJ Best Books - Young Adult
Best of 2024: Young Adult
Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of 2024
Jem's fave reads of 2024
2024 SLJ Best Books - Young Adult
EAudiobooks
Listen to The reappearance of Rachel Price on BorrowBox
Listen to Code name Verity by Elizabeth Wein on BorrowBox
Return to reading
Return to Reading
A selection of books or ages 18 plus - perfect for rediscovering your love of reading.
Return to Reading: New Adult Sci-Fi
Return to reading: New Adult Adventure
Return to reading: New Adult Horror
Return to reading: New Adult Historical
Return to Reading: New Adult Sci-Fi
Return to reading: New Adult Adventure
Return to reading: New Adult Horror
Return to reading: New Adult Historical
Make (Y)our Space competition: Papanui Library
Recommended for Teens
Reading Recommendations - Teens
Teen literary prizes and awards
Rainbow reads for rangatahi - teens
Author interviews for Kids and Teens
Summertime Reading nooks
Featured
Bilingual Story Cards
Join us for school holiday fun and learning
Christmas
Previous Challenges
Join the library. It's free!
It is free to join the library. You can join the library online or at a library.