CHARACTERS from legendary author Roald Dahl's stories will feature in a summer holiday reading challenge for Wirral children.

Wirral Council is urging children to sign up to read six books over the school holidays as part of The Big Friendly Read.

It asks four to 11-year-olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer.

This year's challenge will feature some of Roald Dahl's best-loved characters and the artwork of his principal illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake. It will encourage reading on a giant scale.

To take part, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library.

They’ll receive a special collector’s folder and as they borrow and read books and make at least six visits to libraries over the summer. 

They can collect six special cards to complete it.

The cards all feature original Quentin Blake illustrations and explore some of most popular themes in Roald Dahl’s books such as invention, mischief and friendship.

At the end of the challenge all participants will receive a certificate and completers will also get a medal.

The Big Friendly Read Summer Reading Challenge runs in libraries across the borough until September 3.

Cllr Ann McLachlan, Wirral’s Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “We want to give each child the best start in life and reading is a great way of building literary skills and imaginations.

The summer reading challenge is always well received in the holidays in our libraries, and I’m sure that Roald Dahl's fantastic characters will inspire many more children to take part and make use of their local library throughout the summer and beyond.”

Elsewhere this summer, Bebington Library will be hosting visits by two well-known children's authors. 

Alan Gibbons, who has won 17 literary awards, will conduct three separate workshops for children of differing ages on Tuesday, August 16.

Cathy Cassidy, author of the popular ‘Daizy Star’ and ‘Chocolate Box Girls’ will be conducting two workshops and a talk on Wednesday, August 17.

Booking for both is essential, call 0151 606 2665 for further details and to register.