River Bond

While the Secret Book Quest sets children a goal of reading 100 books, River Bond loved the challenge so much she carried on and is heading for a massive 1000-book goal!

The six-year-old goes to Sherwell Valley Primary School in Torquay and is a regular visitor to the town’s library.

“River has been reading since a very young age, she’s always been interested in books,” said mum Kayleigh. “We had a large selection at home but as she was getting through them so quickly we decided to join Torquay Library as we wouldn’t of been able to financially keep up with the demand.”

River enthusiastically launched herself onto the Secret Book Quest programme at the library in August 2023. Young readers over the age of five get a free magazine and stickers to collect as they work their way through a range of books and themed zones in the library covering topics such as space, dinosaurs and underwater. When they’ve read 100 books they’re presented with a certificate.

“She was really keen to complete the challenge and earn a certificate. But we didn’t quite expect her to keep going! 18 months later and she’s now read 800 books and her goal at the moment is to reach 1000. River enjoys collecting her certificates, which are displayed in her room, and this is her motivation.”

River has many favourite books including The Magic Faraway Tree collection and Geronimo Stilton adventures.

“Reading and having the opportunity to borrow books from the library has enabled her to grow her vocabulary and her spelling and reading age to that of a nine-year-old. We are extremely proud of Rivers determination and drive to fulfil her goal of reaching 1000 books. There’s not a day that River doesn’t read a book… or five!

“Without the library and the fantastic staff who have encouraged and celebrated River’s success she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to grow her reading skills in this way.”