Read to the Beat! Summer Reading Challenge 2026 video transcript
This transcript is for video on the Summer Reading Challenge page.
[The video opens on Jacquie, a white woman in her 50s with a great big welcoming smile. She has shoulder length blonde hair with a fringe, and is wearing thick framed glasses, a bright green top and a Kent County Council lanyard while standing in front of library bookshelves in the children’s section of a local library. She is a Kent Libraries team member.]
[She laughs at the camera, there’s the ping of a library barcode scanner scanning a book in the background, and upbeat rock music starts. The screen reads The Reading Agency, Universal Music Group UK, Summer Reading Challenge 2026 - Join the Read to the Beat crew… and take on the Summer Reading Challenge!]
[Jacquie, speaking to viewer]:
"Looking for free ways to keep kids busy and reading this summer? Come and visit your local library! The Summer Reading Challenge is back and it's [the camera zooms in on Jacquie] bigger, [camera zooms in even tighter] brighter, [camera zooms in again] and LOUDER than ever! [she adds jazz hands as she shouts, “louder than ever!”]
[Go All In National Year of Reading bunting in lots of different bright colours decorates the library.]
[Jacquie, off screen]:
"We're asking families to Go All In as part of the National Year of Reading, helping children explore their interests, build confidence, and discover the joy of reading in their own way without it feeling like homework.
[Summer Reading Challenge Read to the Beat! animated characters appear on screen. Patryk is a young boy with blonde hair, wearing Elton John type sunglasses and a glittery gold jacket while reading a book. He pops up on screen with Toots the snail, who has a tiny trumpet! A headline reads ‘It’s all about reading for fun!'.]
[The next animated screen shows Cinnamon the cat sleeping on top of a pile of colourful books, with the message, ‘And it’s completely FREE to join!]
[Jacquie continues]:
"All children age 4 to 11 can join in for free. Visit any library in Kent to join in."
[The focus moves from the National Year of Reading Bunting to two books balanced on top of bookshelves, children’s non-fiction titles about music – 100 Things to Know About Music and Around the World in 80 Musical Instruments.]
[Jacquie]:
"This year's theme is Read to the Beat! Inspiring children to explore the connection between stories and songs."
[Jacquie sits in the in front of children’s fiction bookshelves and holds up, then wiggles, a colourful book, Can You Get Music On the Moon? Penelope the pigeon swoops into shot holding a book in front of an illustrated urban cityscape, and a header reads, ‘Head to your local library to sign up.]
[Jacquie, off screen]:
"All children have to do is sign up at the library and then set their own Summer Reading Challenge goals for the summer."
[Illustrated examples of audiobooks, picture books and comics children can choose appear along with Penelope the pigeon’s head pointing at the words, ‘it all counts!’.]
[Jacquie stands in front of colourful children’s non-fiction bookshelves, and holds a book called, Dance, Just Like So!]
[Jacquie]:
"These can include borrowing and reading library books, comics…"
[A pair of hands pop up from behind children’s bookshelves holding a book. An illustrated comic book and closed green book with a saxophone on the cover also appear with a [pop!] and hovering musical notes.]
[Jacquie, off screen:]
"Audiobooks…"
[The pair of hands pop up again from behind the children’s bookshelves holding another book. An illustrated pair of headphones, a smart phone with an audiobook playing, and musical notes appear with a [pop!].]
[Jacquie, off screen]:
"eBooks, recipes…"
[Once again the pair of hands pops up with another book, and Toots the animated snail slides into shot along the top of the bookshelves, playing his tiny saxophone.]
[Jacquie, off screen]:
"Magazines, jokes, and poems."
[Words read, ‘Plus, you can enjoy a free copy of Storytime Magazine along the way!’ Ezra, an illustrated Read to the Beat! character who plays the violin and uses a wheelchair, sits reading his free magazine outdoors. He has freckles and short brown hair, he wears a denim shirt, pink trousers, yellow converse trainers, and his wheelchair has custom wheel covers with musical notes and book illustrations.]
[Jacquie, to viewer:]
"Even reading together counts, along with attending any of our library events and activities.]
[Snippets of past Kent Libraries activities are shown - with children crafting, a librarian reads to a group of children at a library storytime, and a little girl excitedly chooses a picture book and runs to show someone off camera.]
[Jacquie]:
"Once they've completed their Challenge, children earn a medal and certificate. It's all free with their library membership."
[An animated character Jade, a young girl with natural hair styled into an afro, wears a purple top and pink shorts, and stands reading a book outdoors. A header reads, ‘Earn rewards!’.]
[Jacquie, to viewer]:
"Going away this summer? No problem. You've got until September to complete the Summer Reading Challenge, and you can even join in online to earn digital rewards."
[Bean the illustrated Read to the Beat! dog, who is reading the screen of an animated laptop, pops up on screen with the words, ‘Or join in online from home.’]
[Jacquie:]
"We've got lots of fun planned in libraries across Kent. Keep an eye out for free Read to the Beat! events and activities throughout the summer in libraries near you."
[Nadiyaa, another illustrated character, is a young girl wearing a hijab, jumper and tunic over trousers, and is playing a steel drum outdoors. Words appear next to her and read, ‘Take part in fun events and get into the rhythm of reading!’.]
[More snippets of events and activities across Kent Libraries are shown, with a little girl pulling a funny face at a friend, a close up of a library team member playing an electric bass guitar, a child smiling at another at an event, and two young children clapping and dancing in the library.
[Illustrated character Skye, who has long shaggy pink hair and a prosthetic leg, appears playing their book guitar, and words read, ‘So Read to the Beat!’. Pip the Read to the Beat! animated mouse scurries on screen holding a book and wearing a little green waistcoat. Pip’s tail is curled into a treble clef. Words read, ‘Join the Summer Reading Challenge’!.]
[Jacquie, off screen]:
"Join the Summer Reading Challenge to enjoy a summer packed with stories, music, creativity, and fun this National Year of Reading. Visit the Kent Libraries website or pop in and see us to find out more."
[The National Year of Reading, Reading Agency, Universal Music Group UK and Read to the Beat! logos appear on screen with another logo showing the initiative is supported by Arts Council England. A copyright tagline reads, ‘Illustrations copyright Harry Woodgate 2026.]
[Read to the Beat copyright The Reading Agency 2026, registered charity number 1085443 England and Wales.’]
[The Kent Libraries logo then fades into shot and the music ends, there’s a giggle off screen and a hand appears from behind children’s bookshelves, waving at the viewer as the video ends.]