Berkshire reading charity ABC to Read is launching a competition to encourage local youngsters to engage with climate change while inspiring and challenging their inner literary critic.

The competition, open to all children and primary schools across Berkshire, invites children to read a book about climate change and create a review to tell others why they should read it too.

ABC to Read volunteers invest an average of 12,000 hours each year into improving not only children’s reading ability but their enjoyment of the pastime as well as their general attitudes and confidence. This competition is aimed to boost both.

If children haven’t already read any books on the topic, they are being encouraged to do so with many wonderful books about forests, human activity and more being recommended. ‘Be a Book Critic for a Day’ will open during Storytelling Week and will close at the end of World Book Day in March.

Prizes on offer include a whole class video chat and/or school visit with local poet AF Harrold, donations to winners’ school libraries as well as individual book vouchers, kindly donated by Fourbears Bookshop in Caversham and climate change themed books donated by ABC to Read.

For T&Cs and entry requirements, please visit www.abctoread.org.uk. You can download a poster for the competition here:

ABC to read are actively looking for up to 40 new volunteers to join them in helping local children develop their literacy and confidence. For more information about training days or joining the scheme as a school or volunteer mentor, contact info@abctoread.og.uk.