Premier’s Reading Challenge popular with young Victorians

Young Victorians in the Yarra Ranges are among more than 71,000 who explored exciting new worlds and built their literacy skills this year as part of the Premiers’ Reading Challenge, now in its seventeenth year.

Children from preschool to Year 10 read more than 2.8 million books this year between March and September, with this year’s theme “Open Up a New World” being embraced. 

The annual challenge encourages enthusiastic readers across households, early childhood centres and schools to read a set number of books – including picture books, short stories, poems or non-fiction books –and record their efforts online.

The challenge sets children a goal of reading 40 books for children below school age with their parents or carers, 30 books for Prep to Year 2 students with or without assistance, and 15 books for students in Years 3 to 10.

Of this year’s 71,342 participants, 8,315 readers were below school age, reflecting the efforts of early years educators, parents and families in encouraging a love of books and stories in children from a young age.

More than 12,000 books were listed on the Premiers’ Reading Challenge booklist for each age group to choose from, with titles curated by an expert panel including teachers and librarians.

The annual challenge receives support from the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund to help meet the extra demand for books.

More than 3.5 million young people have read more than 54 million books since the challenge began in 2005. Each participant who meets the challenge receives a certificate of achievement signed by all Premiers since 1992 – celebrating Victorian Governments’ decades-long commitment to literacy and a love of reading.

“Reading not only fosters a lifelong love of learning, but helps kids build important literacy skills that will remain with them for life – a huge congratulations to every Victorian child who has picked up a book or 40 this year,” Minister for Education James Merlino said. 

“I also want to congratulate every parent and carer who has supported their child’s learning and love of reading as part of this challenge – each word, page and chapter will go a long way in their education journey.”

For more information about the Premier’s Reading Challenge please see here.