BORGARBÓKASAFNIÐ
The summer reading season came to a festive close at the Summer Reading Harvest Festival held at Grófin City Library, on Sunday, 30 August. The event featured entertainment, games, and prize presentations celebrating participants' achievements. A particularly noteworthy highlight was the record number of children who took part in this year's reading challenge, with participation more than tripling compared to last year.
This summer's reading challenge, Gúndi the Billy Goat and the Great Grass Hunt, was developed in collaboration with the Centre for Education and School Services and public libraries across Iceland.
This year, Reykjavík City Library introduced a new initiative. With support from the Department of Education and Youth, every child in grades 1-6 in Reykjavík received a special reading passport to participate in the challenge. The passports were distributed to all primary schools in Reykjavík, where school library staff handed them out to students.
The new approach proved highly successful. Participation in the Summer Reading Challenge was greater than ever before in Reykjavík, with the number of participants more than tripling from the previous year.
Throughout the challenge period, from 20 May to 20 August, children streamed into Reykjavík City Library branches with their summer reading booklets, either to receive stamps for their reading achievements or to collect a new passport.
At the Harvest Festival, lucky participants received prizes, and guests enjoyed a variety of entertainment. Blær Guðmundsdóttir, illustrator and creator of the challenge artwork, invited children and families to join a fun drawing activity.
Summer Reading Challenge 2026 Prize Winners:
Arnhildur Anna, Balqees, Einar Logi, Gavriel, Maja, Milan, Ragnhildur Sara, and Sefton.
Balqees received the grand prize: two tickets to a children's theatre performance at Reykjavík City Theatre (Borgarleikhúsið).
Here, you can also read enjoyable interviews with some of the lucky participants who were selected in prize draws throughout the summer reading challenge on our website.
For further Information:
Ingibjörg Ösp Óttarsdóttir
Project Manager for Children's and Young Adult Services
ingibjorg.osp.ottarsdottir@reykjavik.is | +354 411 6146