It’s a challenge so simple, it’s a breath of fresh, spring air. Complete a prompt from our activity list or read for an hour. Do either one five times. Fill out your tickets (up to five per person) and turn them in for the grand prize drawing. What could you win? Keep reading to find out.

Reed Memorial Library’s Petals and Pages challenge runs March 1 to 31st and is for all ages and all readers. You’ll get a matching magnet when you pick up your ticket board (so that you can hang it on the fridge). Want to get started right now? You can download and print your ticket board, too.

How do you complete the challenge?

Like we said, it’s super simple: any combination of prompts from our activity list or reading for an hour. The activity list has all sorts of fun choices like reading in the sun, reading a book about butterflies or spring sports, and even visiting the story trail in Dix Park. There’s an activity for every age and reading level so the whole family can participate.

Fill out your tickets and bring them in for an entry. Do it one at a time or all five at once, just turn at least one in by March 31. One lucky ticket will be drawn for the grand prize.

Do I want the grand prize?

Here’s what you will win:

• LEGO Botanicals Tiny Plants
• $20 gift card to Vance’s Carriage House Creamery
• Prize books (your choice from our stash of books)
• A trip for four to the Holden Arboretum (two adults, two children)

One month to read and/or complete fun activities, one grand prize to win. Pick up a ticket board in the library or download and print your own and get started!

Not sure what we’re even talking about?

Simply put, a library challenge is a fun way to ensure that you, your kids, your family, are reading and learning. A challenge can be set up like a game, a BINGO board, a checklist, a tracker, or some other fun way to record reading and activities. Prizes and rewards are given for completing challenges and sometimes along the way. Library challenges grew out of a need to keep younger readers on track during school breaks by measuring and rewarding reading. We think that rewarding reading is appropriate for everyone and all seasons.