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The BIG Summer Read

BIG Summer Read has closed for this year, thanks to everyone who joined in. You can see the lucky winners here. See you next year and happy reading.

What is the BIG Summer Read? 

A statewide initiative supporting children’s literacy in a fun and engaging way. 

This program is aimed at addressing an identified phenomenon known as the “summer slide”, which refers to the loss of literacy skills over the summer holidays when children do not read—estimated on average as the equivalent of two to three months of reading proficiency. 

Public libraries are in a unique and advantageous position to address the summer slide; studies have found that children who receive and read free books over summer experience the equivalent of attending three years of summer school.

1 December 2023 - 31 January 2024

If you are aged between 0 and 18 years, join our BIG Summer Read for your chance to WIN! 

All you need to do is read and log at least ten books using the Beanstack app. 

Register and make sure you choose Bayside Library Service as your primary library. 

The competition starts on 1 December 2023 and closes on 31 January 2024. 

Register for BIG Summer Read

About The Big Summer Read

Starting in December 2023, record your reading and collect incentives along the way. There are competitions to enter and prizes to win. All you need to do is register to join in the fun.

Join – register for the Big Summer Read or download the Beanstack app for Android or iOS or visit your local library 

Borrow – read books from home or borrow them from your local library and log them in the Beanstack app or website

Read – read and log at least 10 books over the Summer

Win – great prizes

What are the prizes?

Statewide prizes

Winners will receive book packs donated by James Bennett. To be eligible for these prizes, people must have registered using Beanstack and logged ten books by 31 January - don't forget, audio books and books read to children count too.

Ages 0-4 – Board books

Ages 5-8 – Picture books

Ages 8-12 – Junior fiction/graphic novels

Ages 12-18 – YA fiction/graphic novels

Winners and their nominated Library Service will be notified via email.

View Public Libraries Victoria competition details and FAQs.

Bayside Library Service prizes

There are also $500 worth of prizes just for Bayside entries who completed the challenge in line with our terms and conditions, consisting of:

Ages 0-4 - $100 Museum of Play and Art (MOPA) gift card 

Ages 5-8 - $100 Museum of Play and Art (MOPA) gift card 

Ages 5-8 -  $100 Kidstuff Brighton gift card

Ages 8-12 - $100 Sandy Toys gift card

Ages 12-18 - $100 Toyworld Beaumaris gift card

Looking for something new to read?

View Junior reading lists

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