ONE of the country’s most beloved authors will help inspire children across Bradford to pick up a book, or six, over their summer holidays.

Each summer children are invited to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge, which asks them to read six books over the break. If they do they are rewarded with a certificate and medal.

This year the theme is the work of Roald Dahl, with the challenge dubbed the Big Friendly Read Summer Reading Challenge to mark 100 years since the author’s birth. Thousands of children across the district are expected to take part.

It was officially started with an event at the newly refurbished Shipley Library yesterday, and over the coming weeks there will be around 170 events in different libraries to celebrate the author’s works, which including the BFG and Matilda.

The goal of the reading challenge is to keep children reading in the long summer break.

Schools often find the break can lead to pupils literacy skills slipping, and many now encourage their pupils to take part in the challenge.

It also gives families an incentive to sign young people up to their local libraries.

All libraries throughout the Bradford district will be involved in the challenge, and every child who joins the will receive a fold-up wallet with six limited edition Quentin Blake collector cards - each celebrating a popular Dahl theme.

Yesterday’s event saw actor and storyteller John Kirk performing The Twits to pupils from Grove House, Saltaire and Frizinghall Primary Schools. Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Geoff Reid also attended to help kick of the literary fun.

Saltaire Primary School pupil Grace Bailey, 8, said: “I’ve read nearly all of the Roald Dahl books. I really like the mean aunties from James and the Giant Peach.”

Molly Brown, 8, added: “I like how he uses made up words, like in the BFG.”

Hannah Shillaker, senior leader at the school, said: “Most of our children already have library cards, which we’re really happy with. We’ve had an assembly to encourage them to take part in this challenge.”

Christinea Donnelly, Development Officer for Young People, said: “The event celebrates the centenary of Roald Dahl but children can read any book they want.

“You get a medal if you read six books, but if children only read one or two then they are still continuing to read over the summer.”

Library events include author Andrew Newbound thrilling children with his humorous and energetic Dahl did-you-know-athon and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired writing workshops.

The ZooLab will bring some of Roald Dahl’s favourite animals to libraries across the district.

Last year over 4,200 Bradford children participated in the Summer Reading Challenge, with more children joining the library in Bradford than in any other Yorkshire authority.

To find out more about the events at each library and times please visit bradford.gov.uk/libraries/children-and-young-people/summer-reading-challenge-2016/