The Summer Reading Challenge Read to the Beat! is nearly here!

The Challenge encourages children to read for pleasure throughout the summer holidays.

We're inviting all children aged 4 to 11 to join in and turn up the volume on reading with this year’s theme, Read to the Beat! – celebrating music, rhythm and the joy of a great story as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.

Children are able to sign up and take part for free at any library or mobile library in Kent. 

Learn more about the Summer Reading Challenge and how to take part.

Not a member of the library yet? Join your family online today.

Looking for inspiration?
Take a look at our recommended reads. Children can reserve titles for free with their library card from the Kent Libraries online catalogue, to collect and borrow from any of our libraries in Kent, including at our mobile library stops.

The official Read to the Beat! booklist features captivating diverse titles for different reading levels, spanning early readers, and middle grade books, as well as dyslexia-friendly titles. With a mix of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels, the collection has been carefully curated to get young readers tapping their feet and turning pages. 

However, there’s no set reading list - from fiction and non-fiction to audiobooks, e-books, comics and cookbooks, children can choose to borrow and read what they love most. The aim is simple: enjoy reading in a way that works for them. 

Explore the list below!

Did you know that you can access thousands of FREE children's eBooks, Audiobooks, eComics and more with your library card? 

Read or listen on your own devices, as well as some smart speakers, watches and eReaders including Kobo, Nooks and Kindle Fire!

Download the Libby app, the uLibrary app and the BorrowBox app for free from the App Store or Google Play Store and log in with your library card details.

Forgotten your library card details? You can easily reset your borrower ID or PIN online.

Free family friendly fun all summer long!

Kent Libraries will be hosting a programme of free events and activities for children throughout the summer.

As part of this exciting programme, Blue Peter Book of the Year award winner Gareth P Jones (best known for Dragon Detective, Steampunk Pirates and Ninja Meerkats) will be bringing his fairytale picture books alive in libraries across Kent.

Featuring original sing-along songs and live music, we'll be helping Gareth adapt his stories into mini-musicals in collaborative sessions made to entertain all ages. 

Don't miss out! Book now