THE BIG Summer Read is back, running from December 1 to January 31, and aims to address the ‘summer slide’ in reading levels by engaging children and their families in a fun and dynamic reading challenge.

As an incentive, there will be three local prizes on offer to participating readers, with the more books read giving readers a greater chance of winning – first prize receives a $500 Harvey Norman voucher, second prize will win a $300 Daktari voucher, and third prize a $100 Family Pass for Halls Gap Zoo.

Senior Hamilton Library coordinator, Kelly Pitt-Lancaster, said research shows there’s a phenomenon known as the ‘summer slide’, which refers to the loss of literacy skills over the summer holidays when children tend not to read.

“This lost time is estimated, on average, as the equivalent of two to three months of reading proficiency,” she said.

“To help avoid this slide of reading, the BIG Summer Read challenges primary and secondary school children to make reading an important part of their summer activities.

“It’s not too late to enter, so please call into the Hamilton Library to register and collect a reading log – our staff will also be pleased to help you choose the perfect books for you to enjoy this summer.”

Registration forms and reading logs are still available from the Hamilton Library and for more chances to win there is also a state-wide Public Libraries Victoria competition which can be entered at plv.beanstack.org