Summer Reading Challenge 2026
This year’s theme, Read to the Beat!, celebrates the joy of music and the power it has to move, inspire, and connect us – all through the magic of reading. This year’s Challenge is brought to life with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator, Harry Woodgate.
Camden Libraries are delivering the Summer Reading Challenge in all libraries over the Summer and some activities in parks. We will share more information nearer the launch in July.
If you have any questions, email [email protected].
Interactive Show: The Legend of Heart Library
The story is inspired by African folktales. Heart library is a magical library that holds the world's stories with all their twists and turns and possibilities. Binta Butterfly's meadow has been destroyed in a great storm. When she finds herself stranded in Heart Library, she finds she can create the next chapter of her life by using parts of the oldest folktales in Heart library. With the help of the audience, she must decipher the clues, follow the trails and find the relevant books to create the next chapter of her life and find her butterfly sisters.
Join in this fun, interactive performance to explore the Legend of Heart Library with music and movement for ages 5 to 9 years.
Saturday 11 July
- 10.30am to 11.30am, Swiss Cottage Library, Avenue Rd, NW3 3HA. Book your place
- 2pm to 3pm, Highgate Library, Chester Rd, N19 5DH
Songwriting workshops
Tuesday 14 July
- 4pm to 5.30pm, Highgate Library, Chester Rd, N19 5DH
Thursday 16 July
- 4.30pm to 6pm, Swiss Cottage Library, Avenue Rd, NW3 3HA
Tuesday 28 July
- 4.30pm to 6pm, Holborn Library, Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Wednesday 29 July
- 4.30pm to 6pm, Camden Town Library, Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD
Musical Family Learning workshops
Tuesday 21 July
- 11am to 1pm, Kentish Town Library, Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
Thursday 6 August
- 11.30am to 12.30pm, Pancras Square Library, Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Monday 17 August
- 12pm to 1pm, Holborn Library, Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Tuesday 18 August
- 11am to 12pm, Kentish Town Library, Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
Monday 24 August
- 3pm to 4pm, Holborn Library, Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Park activities
Join the library team at the park and enjoy music and stories.
Talacre Gardens, NW5 3PH
- Tuesday 21 July, 3pm to 5pm
- Tuesday 25 August, 3pm to 5pm
Polygon Road Open Space, NW1 1DX
- Wednesday 22 July, 3pm to 5pm
- Thursday 27 August, 3pm to 5pm
Kilburn Grange Park, NW6 2JL
- Wednesday 22 July, 3pm to 5pm
- Wednesday 29 July, 3pm to 5pm
- Wednesday 5 August, 3pm to 5pm
- 12 Wednesday 12 August, 3pm to 5pm
- Wednesday 19 August, 3pm to 5pm
- Wednesday 26 August, 3pm to 5pm