Quest for the golden book! (Quest Seekers)

Member Name: oioiyou

Product:	Quest Seekers
Date:	13/08/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Incentives to read, stickers, fun worksheets ...

Disadvantages: none

As some regular rating readers will know my son has some issues with reading and has found things a bit harder then some of his classmates. On the last day of school he told me about this library reading contest. It's not really a contest but I can't really think of a better word to describe it. My son thought it sounded interesting and my book about helping children to learn to read said taking children to the library is a great way to encourage them. We went into the library and got him his first library card and the librarian re-explained the Quest Seekers summer reading challenge (there we go better word to describe it!). He got another card to use when getting or returning quest books, a poster for quest stickers, and some colouring pages.

I let my son look around at the books and I picked the books to take home as he was looking at books that were either picture books or too old for him. The Quest seekers challenge, organised by The Reading Agency, allows children to choose any books (even picture books) but I wanted him to have some reading to do so I had to be a bit strict.

For each book there is a work sheet to fill out about the book you have just finished. What is the title? Who is the Author? Did you enjoy it? Stuff like that. Once we had finished two books we took the books and the sheets back to the library. My son explained the books to the librarian and got his first lot of stickers to place on his poster. The poster has a few bits to its fantasy theme with a firebird, a giant (mountain mission) and a fire-breathing dragon.

To complete the challenge the child must read 6 books before the 12th of September and they must get all their Quest Seekers sheets and books returned to the library by that date. After each two books read and activity sheets completed the library will give you the next lot of stickers and upon completing all 6 books you will be presented with a certificate and your rewards (goodie pack of colouring pages, book marks and stickers (contents may vary). Completion of the 6 books means that the child has finished the quest for the golden book.

For extra things to add into my sons work folder I printed off some fun activities from the internet. If you look on local council web pages and search for Quest Seekers most of them will have some links to fun things for the kids to do. Check out Leicestershire County Council as I found they had the best stuff.

I've made a real effort to help my little man this summer and we've been reading like mad. He's gotten into the Quest and enjoys our trips to the library (long may that continue). Thankfully the library is only 5 minutes from our house and on route to school so we are in a great position to continue visiting. My youngest in under just under a year old but my little quest seeker has decided to make him a poster too. It's apparently called baby seekers and it's the same as the quest seekers but you don't have to read the books. I thought it really cute getting the baby involved so now when we visit the library they both take off. Mind you one slower then the other!

Such a simple thing and the kids love it, oh yea and it's free to participate! Can't go wrong really.

FAQs

Q: Where do children sign up?
A: At your local library.

Q: What books can they read?
A: Any books they wish. Joke books, picture books, audio books ... As long as you get it form the library it counts.

Q: Do other countries do Quest Seekers?
A: Yes, 23 countries around the world are participating in Quest Seekers.

For me as I'm desperately trying to make reading fun for my little man this couldn't have come at a better time. It will hopefully start him on the right path to becoming a happy and confident reader.

www.questseekers.org.uk

Good luck in your quest for the golden book! and look out for the scratch and sniff stickers!

© oioiyou 2009

Summary: A great helping hand for parents and children