CHILDREN across Devon are being encouraged to pick up a book and set off on an exciting summer adventure as Libraries Unlimited launches its latest reading challenge.

The charity, which runs libraries throughout Devon, is inviting children aged four to 11 to take part in the Summer Book Quest: Mission to Wayfarer Island, a transport-themed reading initiative designed to inspire imagination and encourage reading during the school holidays.

Launching on July 11, the challenge follows a group of friends who join forces with an explorer on a journey to Wayfarer Island.

Participants can complete a range of reading and activity-based tasks, collecting stickers along the way and earning a special medal when they finish.

Unlike traditional reading challenges, the Summer Book Quest allows children to set their own reading goals and take part in a variety of activities, from cycling and drawing to writing book reviews.

The challenge runs until September 12, giving families the entire summer break to get involved.

The initiative comes at a time when children's enjoyment of reading continues to decline.

According to the National Literacy Trust, reading enjoyment among children has fallen by 36 per cent since 2005, with only one in three children saying they enjoy reading in their free time.

Libraries Unlimited hopes the challenge will help reverse that trend by making reading fun, accessible and rewarding. Research from BookTrust has highlighted the wider benefits of reading in childhood, linking it to improved literacy, stronger educational outcomes, better wellbeing and increased empathy.

Alex Kittow, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited, said: ‘I love that The Summer Book Quest helps get kids reading over the summer holidays.

‘Rather than being stuck behind a screen, they can engage their imaginations and explore new ideas.

‘With The Summer Book Quest, you don’t have to read a set number of books to finish. It’s about finding joy in stories and reaping all the wellbeing, learning and confidence benefits reading can bring’.

Children can sign up for the challenge from July 11 at their local library.