Join the Big Summer Read!

Published on 25 November 2025

The Big Summer Read (formally known as the Summer Reading Club) is a free program that encourages kids to read, try out new things and put a stop to the summer slide that can happen during the school holidays.

Challenge yourself to read a book (or a chapter of a novel) or have one read aloud to you every day, log the days you read from Monday 1 December 2025 to Saturday 31 January 2026 and get rewarded with collectable playing cards.

Some important Big Summer Read milestones include:

• Earn your first collectable playing card once you've read for 3 days
• Read for 6 days to get a sticker
• Read for 10 days to get an invite to the Wrap-Up Party 
• Read for 25 days to go in the running for minor prizes
• Read for 30 days to go in the running for major prizes

Sign up to the Summer Reading Club from Monday 1 December at any Kempsey Shire Library branch to collect a reading calendar. Big Summer Read is for children ages 3 - 18.